Oakley Park Joins Lake Wales Park System in Friday Ceremony

Lake Wales' reputation as "A City in a Garden" got a big boost Friday as the newest park in the city's system was dedicated with a new name.

Known by residents as "linear park," "library park," "railroad park," and even "James' Park" in recognition of City Manager James Slaton's support of the extensive landscaping project, the attractive spot has been officially named "Oakley Park" in honor of the couple that helped make it a reality.

Robert Connors

Lynn and Tommy Oakley were honored by the naming of a park in downtown Lake Wales. The new park lies between the railroad and the public library and features multiple shelters and benches, flowering plants, trees, and sculptures.

Honorees Lynn and Tommy Oakley were present to receive the honor at the ribbon cutting as city officials unveiled a new sign bearing the name. The couple donated $100,000 toward the creation of the park, adding to an earlier grant of $48,000 from T-Mobile.

Lying along Cypress Gardens Lane opposite the Lake Wales Public Library, the tract now features extensive plantings intended to attract butterflies and other pollinators. The city's horticulturist, Kevin Polk, credited a mix of natives and a few exotic species that serve to host and feed a broad spectrum of pollinator species.

The park is bisected by a meandering trail that connects dense plantings of trees, shrubs, and flowers, making it an urban oasis only yards from the downtown commercial district. The trail connects with the new Park Avenue Trail as part of a loop surrounding the public library.

The park also hosts several sculptures, among the first in the city. One kinetic sculpture is powered by the wind, while another, in the shape of a gigantic butterfly, is a living sculpture covered with colorful flowering plants nourished by an integrated irrigation system.

Robert Connors

Lynn Oakley strolled along the new downtown trail link through Oakley Park with Lake Wales City Manager James Slaton following the dedication ceremony.Numerous butterflies were already seen visiting the flowers planted to attract them.

The park is part of an extensive effort by the City of Lake Wales to regain the reputation that earned the city the moniker of "Crown Jewel of the Ridge" a century ago. Conceived as a resort community, the town still has other undeveloped parks. Partnering organizations including Lake Wales Heritage are replanting lost street trees in accordance with the town's original landscaping design by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

Planning is underway by the Heritage group to complete the intended Olmsted Heritage Park at Druid Circle, recreating a four-acre sandhill habitat education and interpretive center.

Oakley Park occupies about three-fourths of an acre of city-owned property and nearly as much land leased from Florida Midland Railroad, which operates a spur running through Lake Wales to Frostproof.