A day trip to Bonnet Springs Park was just what we needed to take advantage of the Florida winter weather! A friend of mine had also been wanting to visit the newly opened park in Lakeland so we decided to carpool together and make a day out of it. Best decision ever! We loaded up lunches, plenty of water and the kids' scooters and we spent the entire day outside exploring.
The park spans an entire 168 acres! So don't take the "bring your scooters, strollers, bikes" suggestion lightly! This is a gorgeous park, but it is very spread out. There are multiple parking lots so visitors have options on where to start, depending on what they would like to see most. This is so helpful especially if time restraints are a reality. There is a complimentary tram, which we took once and were very thankful for.
Playful Pitstops - Fun slides are placed randomly throughout the park! They make walking through the park entertaining in between playgrounds and park attractions.
Playgrounds, playgrounds, playgrounds! There are several playgrounds to enjoy across the space. Just outside the Welcome Center is a playground for tots which is connected to a cafe.
The Treehouse serves as a picnic spot as it is filled with picnic tables and a restroom. It is also a venue rental for parties and celebrations. Next time we'll have to bring our lunch here to refuel.
From the Treehouse the start of the gorgeous canopy walk is visible. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to do the canopy walk, but it will be a top priority on our next visit. 
Nature Center appeared about halfway through our journey. We soaked in facts specific to Florida waterways and ecosystem. The kids appreciated the hands on displays.
Bonnet Springs Park was actually a large and very historically significant railway center. After the land sat for decades without a purpose, a few land developers joined forces to bring this uniquely planned property to life. The Welcome Center will provide newcomers with a glance into the past with interactive displays of the land use over the years. This train playground is a nod to Bonnet Springs Park's origins.
I hope you enjoy these photos and are given some inspiration to plan a day trip to enjoy Lakeland's gem, Bonnet Springs Park.
As a bonus to see Bonnet Springs Park in reel form, check this out!
