Volunteer Tackles Roundabout Maintenance Issues Ignored by Department of Transportation

Working in 95-degree heat on a Tuesday afternoon, one Lake Wales woman demonstrated her commitment to making the world "a bit better or more beautiful."

La Casa resident Carol Sundheim was spotted working alone with hand tools to clean up the prominent roundabout at the intersection of Scenic Highway and Hunt Brothers Road at the southern end of the city.

Robert Connors

Standing over a portion of the clutter she had removed from the roundabout island in South Scenic Highway, Carol Sundheim tole Lake Wales news.net that she felt that her effort was worth it.

Asked why she had undertaken the project, she had a simple and civic-minded response: "It's Lake Wales! I mean, come on! I live right there!" she said, pointing in the direction of the nearby condominiums. Sondheim, 59, explained of her effort that "Lake Wales deserves that."

The roundabout was constructed by the Florida Department of Transportation. It was originally landscaped with five sable palms, but speeding drivers took out two, while a third fell during Hurricane Milton.

While the roundabout connects the county-maintained CR 17 (Hunt Brothers Road) and State Road 17 (Scenic Highway) it appears that responsibility for the maintenance falls upon the state, rather than private citizens.

FDOT crews were seen mowing in the area, only a few weeks ago and crews with trimmers addressed grass growing around the perimeter of the roundabout but left the highly visible center overgrown with weeds.

City fathers have invested millions in an effort to restore the founder's intention of creating "a City in a Garden." Sundheim, who came to Lake Wales at age 18, was unfamiliar with Edward Bok's famous exhortation to "make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it," but nevertheless follows his advice. She also volunteers locally at Refuge on the Ridge, a rehab center for men.

Robert Connors

"People driving by probably think I'm homeless," Sundheim said over her volunteer work in 95-degree heat to improve the appearance of the Scenic Highway roundabout near her home.

She recently cleaned up and replanted the prayer garden at the Refuge, which formerly housed the famous Chalet Suzanne restaurant and inn. That six-week-long project was funded in large part by Lake Wales resident Buck Vogel. The spot is now a popular wedding garden.

Despite suffering from Lupus, Sundheim refuses to let her Medical issues slow her down. "When I feel good, I'm like a rocket," she said. "When I look at that weed, I want to pull it," Sundheim said. "Every little bit that you can do... People probably think I'm homeless," she said with a laugh.