The City of Plant City is hosting ribbon cuttings Thursday for Gilchrist Heights Dog Park and the McIntosh Preserve Phase 1 Trails and Observation Tower Project. We asked Plant City: What other community amenities would you like to see come to town?
“I would love to see the city take over the old Walden Lake Golf Courses.”
– Chaz Austin
“A stop near I-4 for high speed rail running from Tampa to Orlando.”
– Andrew Hennosy
Cheri O’Brien replied to Andrew Hennosy adding to his suggestion: “with lots of parking.”
“Splash pad parks for the kids during the summer.”
– Kayla Bacon
“A small amphitheater in downtown for local talent during downtown events and weeknight movie nights like this one in Carrollton, Ga.”
– Luis Villegas
It’s a big day for the City of Plant City as staff and commissioners plan to attend two massive ceremonies. If you plan to attend the ceremonies today be sure to get there early to ensure you get parking. The ribbon cutting at McIntosh Preserve Phase 1 Trails & Observation Tower Project will be at 11 a.m. at the preserve, 775 East Knights Griffin Road. There will be a short ceremony including speeches from city commissioners and city staff. Refreshments will follow.
McIntosh Preserve is one of the most cherished projects of commissioners as the plan is to make it a destination for Plant City. Between the trails, tower and future plans for the water preservation on the property, the site will soon have much to offer the public. The parcel totals 363 acres and improved hiking trails total 2.2 miles of the preserve. The wildlife observation tower is ADA compliant and will have a video viewing interface at the bottom of the tower so those at its base can see the view from the top of the facility.
The Gilchrist Heights Dog Park Bridge & Parking Project’s ribbon cutting is at 3 p.m. at the dog park, 905 North Knight Street. Much like at the McIntosh Preserve ceremony, there will be a welcome by Parks & Recreation Director Jack Holland, comments from Mayor Rick Lott and commissioners, comments from City Manager Bill McDaniel and then the ribbon cutting. Refreshments will be served after.
The dog park is split into two sections, each with assets for the pups to play on, a picnic table for their owners and a water fountain for pet and parent alike. There are also bag stations by the dividing fence so owners can clean up after their pet even if they forgot their bags at home.
Holland told the Observer, “two dog run areas total 16,300 square feet and were enhanced to include water sources with human fountains, bottle fillers and dog watering fountains as well as some obstacles for the dogs to enjoy.”
