Panther Point Trail Reopens In Polk County

BARTOW, FL — While several Polk County recreational areas remain closed following Hurricane Irma’s devastating visit in September, the Panther Point Trail has reopened for business.

Polk County announced the reopening of the 5-mile trail in the Marshall Hampton Reserve on Friday. The trail has been off limits since Irma paid the area a visit in September.

“Many Polk County parks and natural areas received some level of damage and flooding as a result of Hurricane Irma,” the county wrote in a Friday email to media. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Lakeland Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

“Staff is diligently working to repair these issues and has made significant progress. As a result, most facilities are once again open to the public. While these facilities may be open, we ask for your patience as Polk County continues to make repairs and address delayed maintenance due to staff being temporarily diverted to other hurricane duties.”

Some of the trails that have reopened are in low-lying areas, officials pointed out. That means it’s a good idea to wear closed-toe, comfortable shoes since ground water may be an issue.

Parks and recreational areas that remain closed include:

• Lake Arbuckle Campground and Boat Ramp
• Circle B Bar Reserve
• Lake Weohyakapka Boat Ramp
• Peace River Hammocks
• Gator Creek Reserve

For more information about the Marshall Hampton Reserve, visit the Southwest Florida Water Management District online.

Photo courtesy of Polk County