“While it wasn’t an easy decision to make and we cherish this legacy we are listening to our guests and our focus is on introducing new and dynamic experiences to continue creating family memories,” said a Legoland Florida Resort spokesperson in an email "Water skiing is a tradition that put Polk County on the map.. a protected swamp shelters a champion cypress By Boyce Upholt December 2024/January 2025 Forget a vista or a visitors’ center. Forget aesthetics entirely, and infrastructure, too. Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge sits in rural West Feliciana Parish Crossed by several ATV trails and a single gravel road it otherwise consists of thirteen thousand acres of unadorned swamp forest That makes for a place alluring to mink and bobcats but not to many humans—a fact that may be reflected in what the French first called the creek that drains these woods: Rivière à la Chaude pissie This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply It helps to know that this refuge is tucked at the foot of the bluffs that line the Mississippi River in some of the southernmost land unprotected by the river’s levees the classic terrain of the Southern cypress swamp—wet and wooded once home to trees that towered nearly a hundred feet might barely encircle the trunks of the biggest and oldest of them This was a keystone species—one that helped regulate the flow of water thereby sustaining habitat for other creatures the loggers cut down nearly all of America’s ancient cypresses since when the Mississippi rises each spring the boundaries between water and land drown which explains why it took until the 1980s for a pair of foresters to find an old bald cypress big enough to set a national record At nearly a hundred feet tall and seventeen feet in diameter this is not just the country’s biggest bald cypress; a sign at the refuge proclaims it’s the largest tree of any kind east of the Sierra Nevada Congress turned this land into a national wildlife refuge—a status that protects the forests though without all the fanfare (or funding) of a national park No one is trying to make things here any more beautiful than they are and it’s nice to leave a space that’s more about everyone and everything else it’s a thirty-minute drive from the little hamlet of St Several other ancient trees exist in these woods spared because they were useless for timber so massive that it rewrites your notion of what a tree can be it’s impossible to calculate its exact age although everyone agrees it’s been around for at least a millennium that could leave another thousand years of life I learned all these facts a few years back while working on a book about what human beings have done to the Mississippi—how it’s been dammed and leveed but we rarely get to see the water: There’s a brick wall in the way separating our neighborhood from the local port the closest we get to Huck Finn living is listening to the bellow of the passing freighters rising over the wall as a chance to glimpse one remnant of all that’s been lost We first ventured north during those early days of COVID inaugurating what’s become an annual ritual Some of the highlights of the trip lie far from the tree We typically stay in a cabin atop the bluff We go for a hike past waterfalls and a stroll through sleepy and friendly St Sometimes we head down the hill to the Oyster Bar as that crudely named creek has been more politely rechristened The bayou was once home to the most bustling port between New Orleans and Natchez but year after year of floods washed the town away Army Corps of Engineers stores stacks of the concrete panels it uses to prevent the Mississippi from shifting any further My wife and I aren’t particularly pious people Usually I try to climb to the cleft where the trunk splits in two only to find that my own year of growth has left me less agile looking upward toward the light beaming through the cracks in the trunk above and thinking about how I’m just a small being Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain wonderland still sparkles These top-notch bakeshops let flour-free customers have their cake—and pies With noses trained to find species by scent these dogs work alongside scientists to help protect rare plants and animals The future of conservation in the South just got a little bit brighter—and not just for salamanders but they’re the craftsmanship of local crustaceans called lawn lobsters The drawls are receiving a lot of flak across the internet but a North Carolina linguist argues they’re actually pretty accurate (WCIV) — Cypress Gardens plans to host its annual Halloween in the Swamp event for three consecutive nights this year the gardens will transform into a spooky paradise for all ages Halloween in the Swamp features special offerings for adults and children guests can embark on The Haunted Swamp Experience a haunted boat ride through the swamp that drops participants off on a haunted walking trail through the woods General admission is $5 per person and the haunted swamp experience is $30 and includes all general admission activities as well as the haunted boat ride and walking trail The haunted swamp attraction is for adults and children 12 and over only Children ages 12 through 16 must be accompanied by an adult Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 on the Cypress Garden's website All tickets will be pre-sold and no tickets will be sold at the gate 'A huge part of our history': Legoland Florida in Winter Haven will discontinue water ski showsLakeland LedgerA tradition dating to the 1940s will end this month as Legoland Florida Resort packs up its water skis The Winter Haven attraction will stage the final performance of Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show on Dec “Brickbeard's Watersport Stunt Show has been a beloved part of our history creating lasting memories for families over the years,” Legoland spokesperson Stephanie Bechara said in an email we are listening to our guests and our focus is on introducing new and dynamic experiences to continue creating family memories We're deeply grateful to the talented team behind the show and invite fans to enjoy its final performances with the last one scheduled for December 30th.” The water ski show provided one of the strongest remaining connections to Cypress Gardens the predecessor of Legoland Florida and one of the state’s original tourist attractions Water ski shows on Lake Eloise fostered the identity and main draw for the park Legoland Florida opened two years later and The attraction renamed the show area Pirates’ Cove the setting for a production called the Battle for Brickbeard’s Bounty The show revolved around Miranda Valentina whose imperial troops defended the cove from the incursions of Captain Brickbeard featured skiers in outfits resembling Lego characters engaging in jumps and other tricks The show endured a 10-month hiatus following Hurricane Irma in 2017 The storm damaged the floating platform that served as a ship floating in the cove Legoland changed the format to Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show Highlights included a performer using a flyboard a skateboard-shaped device that could launch the rider as much as 50 feet above the water “Our entertainment lineup evolves regularly to bring all kinds of exciting experiences to our guests,” Bechara said in the emailed statement “The decision has been made to no longer run our watersports stunts show at the beginning of 2025 we are excited to open a new Sea Life Aquarium in the spring bring back the popular Ninjago Days and continue to build on holiday events such as Brick-or-Treat Employees who worked in the ski show will be offered continued roles at the park such as performing in Ninjago Weekends and other shows Legoland Florida intends to open Sea Life Florida in the spring The aquarium will be located near the park entrance Though the water ski show has never been a dominant attraction at Legoland Florida a former skier at Cypress Gardens expressed sadness upon hearing that the park will discontinue the aquatic performances “Corporate decisions come down tough sometimes and I wish Legoland all the luck in the world,” Winter Haven resident Dave Dershimer said Tuesday “But I also wish they would reconsider how water skiing could continue to be a part of their entertainment package.” Winter Haven has been identified with water skiing since soon after Dick Pope Sr The family cleared a swamp on the shore of Lake Eloise and began charging visitors 25 cents each to explore the property The Popes also introduced their children to water skiing the water ski performance emerged during World War II when Julie — with her husband away in military service — enlisted her two children and their friends to display their skiing skills for soldiers stationed in Central Florida helped turn Cypress Gardens into one of Florida’s premiere tourist attractions in the pre-Disney World era The park compiled a list of water ski novelties according to previous Ledger reporting: the first ballet line in 1943 the first two-tier human pyramid in 1948 and the first three-tier human pyramid in 1952 Cypress Gardens became a setting for many television shows and movies some starring swimmer-turned-actress Esther Williams in the 1950s Talk-show host Johnny Carson recorded a special at the park and celebrity guests included King Hussein of Jordan the shah of Iran and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor Cypress Gardens began a slow decline with the 1971 opening of Walt Disney World which drew the state’s tourism center of gravity to the Orlando area The attraction went through changes of ownership contractions and temporary closures before shutting down in 2009 As a symbol of water skiing’s local significance the official seal of Polk County includes an image of a skier obviously the ski show is a huge part of our history,” said Bob Gernert retired director of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and a city historian the majority of the previous century was built around the ski show and the flowers at the park And so anytime something goes away like that it kind of leaves you a little melancholy.” Entwined in tragedy: Mother of lost girl forges bond with Lakeland man who rescued her son Dershimer first visited Cypress Gardens at age 10 as a tourist from Pennsylvania and returned eight years later to become a paid performer in the park’s ski shows Dershimer skied at Cypress Gardens periodically from 1964 to 1980 Dershimer said he “got to live my dream” by skiing at Cypress Gardens He recalled that the park attracted professional skiers from throughout the world in its prime “Cypress Gardens was sort of like an actor going to Hollywood like a football player going to the NFL,” Dershimer said I remember one season when the crowds between Christmas and New Year’s exceeded 20,000 people a day.” Bok Tower and Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs were the heart of the tourist industry and I know Legoland has got corporate decisions to make but it's kind of like Detroit losing the auto industry to the water skiers and the water ski industry is actively involved with the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team an amateur group that stages free shows monthly at Lake Silver Many of its members previously performed at the Cypress Gardens theme park who was still with the Chamber of Commerce when Legoland Florida opened in 2011 said he understands that the park’s corporate owners must make decisions based on business and not sentiment He credited the management for creating the Pirate River Quest right through the botanical gardens,” Gernert said “They invested the money necessary to restore those canals Legoland Florida continues to maintain the namesake of Cypress Gardens a 30-acre botanical section bordering Lake Eloise Polk County owns the flowery expanse through a deal engineered by the Trust for Public Land Gernert pointed out that other longstanding traditions in Polk County have faded away which ended in 2008 after 84 years in Winter Haven and you'll still run into people that just lament the fact that it's not held anymore,” Gernert said Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518 Show Breaking News BarCloseTheme Parks Patricia Tolley WINTER HAVEN being able to ski at Cypress Gardens is like a baseball player pitching at Yankee Stadium the director of Visit Central Florida who skied at the historic Winter Haven Park throughout the 80s You’re performing in front of thousands of people For now, you can find a variation of the historic production at Legoland – Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt show. But that ends Dec A spokesperson for the theme park said the decision to no longer run the attraction wasn’t easy to make but the park is excited to make way and open a SEA LIFE Aquarium in the spring and our focus is on introducing new and dynamic experiences to continue creating family memories,” a Legoland spokesperson said in a prepared statement The water ski show holds the title for the longest continuous entertainment production in the world at Florida’s first theme park – Cypress Gardens Jackson said some soldiers heard about a ski show and asked Julie Pope when the next one was “Pope rounded up her kids and some of her friends pulled them out to the park and just started skiing for these soldiers and it just blossomed from there,” he said The attraction was so popular it led to Winter Haven becoming the water ski capital of the world Millions of visitors would watch the talented skiers and “Aquamaids.” governing body of the sport of water skiing is based here the only water ski museum in the world is based here .. it’s a huge industry here in Polk County,” Jackson said Meanwhile, in 2003, after over 60 years of entertaining guests, Cypress Gardens closed. It was sold to the owner of the Georgia-based theme park Wild Adventures in 2004 The new owner sold it to an attorney – a land developer duo in 2006 – which then led to Legoland opening here in 2010 “Bringing in Legoland was certainly nothing short of a blessing almost 2 million people a year go through there “It’s been a real boost to the Winter Haven and Polk County economy.” However, there is still a group that continues this legacy – the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team. They host free water ski shows the third Saturday of each month at Lake Silver Jackson said he has mixed feelings about the ending of this show but he understands it was a right decision from a business standpoint He said it is costly to run the attraction and it wasn’t producing a solid return of investment He also noted that for theme parks to stay relevant for consumers “The ski show was a very expensive attraction to operate everybody loved it in the historical roots are phenomenal Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group — Volunteers are being sought to help “begin the garden” at one local park Jackson Parks & Rec will host “Begin The Garden” at Cypress Grove Nature Park on Saturday The goal is to beautify the parking lot gardens at Cypress Grove by planting bulbs and pruning existing plants Gardening gloves and tools will be limited so you’re encouraged to bring your own if possible The event will last from 9 in the morning until noon Cypress Grove Nature Park is located at 866 Airways Boulevard in Jackson For more local news, click here and two other people were injured after a three-vehicle crash in Winter Haven on Thursday The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the crash occurred around 5:30 p.m when a 2021 Jeep Gladiator heading west on Cypress Gardens Boulevard began to hydroplane while changing lanes on the wet road and the Jeep crossed over the raised center median and into the path of a 2023 Nissan Sentra heading east causing the Jeep to roll onto its side and the Sentra to rotate The 60-year-old woman driving the Sentra was killed The man driving the Jeep as well as the 58-year-old man driving the Audi both had minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals Cypress Gardens Boulevard was closed for around four hours last night during the investigation and I feel like that's part of where the system failed" Henry Betsey Jr. is facing charges for marrying three Florida women in three different counties at the same time. Now saying the system that handles marriage licenses kept them in the dark Latest Polk County News from ABC Action News Report a typo highly curated editorial content brings attention to hidden gems Share LinkCypress Gardens Of South Carolina Is Home To The State’s Largest Butterfly HouseCypress Gardens Butterfly House in South Carolina offers a magical experience with hundreds of butterflies one thing for sure is that you'll never run out of fun things to do and places to go in the Palmetto State is a 170-acre preserve and gardens that first opened to the public in 1932 The venue features a breathtaking black water swamp filled with cypress and tupelo trees But that's not all visitors find to gawk at when visiting Cypress Gardens The attraction is also home to the largest butterfly breeding facility in the state Cypress Gardens/ FacebookAt this butterfly garden in South Carolina you can expect to see hundreds of butterflies graciously fluttering around Guests will be delighted by being surrounded by a variety of colorful blooming flowers and plants Birds will chirp and sing to serenade you through the house and don't forget to see the arthropod exhibit Depending on when you visit you will be treated to the many stages of life of a butterfly and learn more about their metamorphosis magic it's the perfect spot to hang out with hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of beautiful butterflies Cypress Gardens/ FacebookButterflies aren't the only winged creatures on display in the butterfly house An observation bee hive will get you up close and personal with a thriving colony of bees We have seen this before and it is fascinating to see the busy bees hard at work which is a rare sight to see without being stung So now is your chance to get close with no risk This South Carolina butterfly garden is teeming with bright colors — and lovely scents perfect for breeding butterflies for a number of species TripAdvisor/EvanGuthrieTheir perfect environment is created so you can witness happy butterflies feeding, and being active, and maybe even catch a rare glimpse of them laying their eggs. The Monarchs are among the most well-known. Cypress Gardens/ FacebookOne of the best ways to enjoy Cypress Gardens is to take a boat ride You can either embark on a guided boat tour or launch your own vessel for a voyage of your own There is a strange beauty that can be found among these other-worldly trees as they reflect on the mirrored black water Cypress Gardens/ FacebookIf you prefer to journey on your own two feet then there are plenty of trails to take advantage of on land The preserve and gardens have both foot trails and water trails to explore Have you ever visited the butterfly house at Cypress Gardens Looking for more great places to visit in the Palmetto State Check out our video that highlights some of the best attractions in South Carolina: For more fun things to do while in Moncks Corner: With A Monastery, Cypress Gardens, And More, You Won’t Run Out Of Things To Do In Moncks Corner, South Carolina! Choose your stateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasNorthern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingSubscribe... Ready to take a long drive to see old growth forests in California's national parks? It's possible to see equally majestic trees at the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, a stunning Northern Californian state park. Thanks for subscribing. We’ll see you in your inbox! Participants start the Bright Ideas 5K in 2024 A group of grant recipients from the 2023 Bright Ideas Education Grant program pose for a photo at the awards ceremony after the Bright Ideas 5K Nearly 50 Lowcountry educators will be honored with classroom grants totaling $52,000 during the fourth annual Bright Ideas 5K hosted by Berkeley Electric Cooperative on Saturday presented by Cooperative Building Solutions is more than a race — it’s a celebration of innovation in education Forty-six teachers will receive up to $1,500 each through Berkeley Electric’s Bright Ideas Education Grant program which supports K-12 educators across the tri-county area “The Bright Ideas Education Grant program is an effort to create an even better-educated workforce for our region,” said Mike Fuller “Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of leaders we are investing in our economy and our community’s advancement.” with the teachers' awards ceremony at 8:45 a.m. followed by recognition of top race finishers by age group Nearly 500 runners and walkers have registered for the event which features a USATF-certified course designed by Berkeley Electric’s GIS department The route meanders through Cypress Gardens’ trails This year’s 5K marks a milestone in fundraising and participation for the grant program which also saw a record number of applicants “We love recognizing our grant winners at the 5K,” said Dana Jenkins public relations specialist at Berkeley Electric “It gives the race participants and the race sponsors a chance to see why we’re there – to celebrate our best teachers and their brightest ideas.” Participants are advised to carpool due to limited parking A shuttle will run from Celanese (formerly DuPont) and the gate to Cypress Gardens will close to race traffic at 7:45 a.m and race entry includes park admission for the day Jenkins extended appreciation to sponsors and the many cooperative employees who volunteered their time “Thank you to each volunteer for your incredible effort and hard work in helping to make the Bright Ideas 5K a success once again,” she said “We could not do it without your commitment.” Berkeley Electric is the state’s largest electric cooperative serving more than 120,000 meters across Berkeley including a course map and list of grant recipients visit berkeleyelectric.coop/bright-ideas-5k Email: online@berkeleyind.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: At this point, Florida might as well be synonymous with the term "theme parks." Central Florida alone is home to some of the globe's top theme parks But which theme park actually was here first in Florida? While Disney World or Universal Studios might seem like the obvious answer Florida's first theme park isn't even around anymore Here's what to know about Winter Haven's Cypress Gardens which attracted visitors from all over the globe for roughly 70 years Florida's Cypress Gardens was a 220-acre botanical garden It was opened in January 1939 by salesman Richard Downing Pope Sr It was said to all start with a "Good Housekeeping" article as Pope's wife saw a piece about a Charleston banker who opened up his private estate to the public and charged an admissions fee This led to the couple wanting to build something similar in their new hometown in Florida According to Visit Central Florida Pope began constructing his dream garden on the swampy shores of Lake Eloise and soon the park would become a showplace for 8,000 varieties of flowers from over 90 different countries The park soon became a tourism hot spot and attracted millions of visitors every year While it didn't house any theme park rides by today's standards it still promoted several hit attractions for guests Cypress Gardens was dubbed the “water ski capital of the world" for its many water sporting events The gardens have also attracted the likes of Hollywood over the years such as “On an Island With You,” “Easy to Love,” “Moon Over Miami,” “This is Cinerama,” and hundreds of short features were filmed on its grounds Here's where Cypress Gardens is locatedCypress Gardens is a census-designated place in Polk County located within the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area Cypress Gardens expanded during the 1970s and 1980s to compete It officially closed for good in September 2009 and was eventually absorbed into Legoland Florida in 2011 Legoland still houses the historic Cypress Gardens botanical gardens "The gardens are a horticultural masterpiece with exotic plants from all over the world such as over 30 kinds of palms, 10 varieties of banana trees, 15 types of azaleas, 10 kinds of camelias and more and are kept in pristine condition," its website says. The gardens are still home to a giant Banyan tree that was planted as a seedling in 1939 Legoland also honors the gardens with the historic water ski shows still performed by LEGO Pirate characters General admission to Legoland Florida start at $74 plus tax and go up depending on the date or season The park also offers multiple-day deals and annual passes Toll and ticket booths open approximately 30 to 45 minutes prior to the theme park opening the rates for parking at Legoland Florida are: One of Florida’s longest-lasting attractions is ending its run Long before Disney World, Universal, Busch Gardens, and the rest, Cypress Gardens was the entertainment hub of Florida Originally opened in 1936 by the legendary Dick Pope Sr. the botanical garden and theme park was the state’s primary tourist destination for decades before Disney came to town The park was headlined by a water-skiing show that drew in millions of guests — including some huge celebrities — to see daredevil performers The show’s success popularized the sport and made the park’s home of Winter Haven the “water skiing capital of the world.” Cypress Gardens closed in 2009 but was purchased and refurbished by Merlin Entertainment who opened LEGOLAND Florida on the site in 2011 a LEGO-themed version of the water-skiing show has remained part of the park… until now which is currently known as Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show will be closing after a final performance on December 30th the park said that the show “has been a beloved part of our history creating lasting memories for families over the years we are listening to our guests and our focus is on introducing new and dynamic experiences to continue creating family memories.” Mark Voisard, a longtime Cypress Gardens employee who was the director of the water ski show for over a decade, told WFLA that he believed the closure of the show was a cost-cutting measure “It wasn’t one of the top attractions at LEGOLAND so they ultimately had to make a business decision It’s pretty sad for the area because people would go there and go make up the Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team and plan to keep the area’s “tradition” alive with monthly performances on Lake Silver The final iteration of the legendary Cypress Garden’s water skiing show — LEGOLAND’s Brickbeard’s Watersport Stunt Show — is closing after a near-90-year run in Winter Haven Stay tuned to AllEars for more on what’s coming to LEGOLAND Have you ever seen any iteration of a water skiing show at Cypress Gardens or LEGOLAND TSA just banned an essential travel item from checked luggage Six Flags has just announced that they're CLOSING on of their theme parks entirely this.. We're sharing the hottest deals on LEGO sets on Amazon We spotted three brand-new Disney Loungefly bags online Let's talk about why every Disney Adult is buying an Oura Ring from Target right.. I love this Disney World restaurant but I don't think you should go to it We found the best ALDI deals you'll want to pack for your next Disney World.. Only true Disney adults are packing these items for their Disney World trips This is the cheapest Disney Loungefly you'll find on Amazon today Don't forget about this change coming up for Disney World hotel guests What happens when half of the rides in one park close on your Disney World.. If you adore Butterbeer from Harry Potter as much as we do Check out some of the things you shared that are slightly "different" on how to.. we search high and low for the best Disney deals on Amazon You've found yourself at Disney World with the world's pickiest eaters USA Today just released the results of a poll it took for best theme park.. this Disney World hotel is my FAVORITE...but I don't often recommend staying there These are the most expensive days to go to Disney World in 2026 Disney fans—next week could bring some exciting updates Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" — The iconic water ski show at Legoland Florida marking the end of an era in Florida's tourism industry After decades of wowing audiences with world-class water-skiing performances the beloved skiers will have their last show at Legoland on Dec and they’ve been around that area for quite a while,” said Winter Haven resident D.N The thrilling ski show has captivated visitors since the 1950s when it was held at the state’s first theme park The theme park closed in 2009 and later became Legoland which continued the tradition of the water sport's stunt show For them to go for years and then they just take it away It's going to be sad for them,” said Nicole Pinzon The year-round professional ski show at Legoland is one of only two worldwide That water ski show has made this town what it is It’s been here as long as we have and many years before that,” said D.N A spokesperson for Legoland told ABC Action News that while ending the ski show wasn’t easy they are excited to open a new Sea Life Aquarium in the spring For those who want to see breathtaking stunts They perform a free show at Lake Silver on the third Saturday of each month A canoe rests in the calm waters of Cypress Gardens surrounded by cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss showcasing the natural beauty of the South Carolina wetlands Explore the natural beauty of Old Santee Canal Park with scenic wooden walking trails that wind through lush greenery and offer a peaceful escape Tony Ford proudly showcases two impressive Blue Catfish he reeled in during a recent fishing trip on Lake Moultrie You don’t have to travel far to enjoy a relaxing getaway — Berkeley County is full of hidden gems perfect for a staycation Whether you're looking for a romantic date night there’s something special waiting just around the corner why not take time to rediscover the beauty Feel like you're stepping into a storybook at Cypress Gardens where winding pathways lead through breathtaking scenery Paddle a canoe along the quiet blackwater swamp—where scenes from The Notebook were filmed—or wander through the butterfly house for a touch of magic A trip here is a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life “We have been to Cypress Gardens a few times since we moved here," Summerville resident Barbara Pursell said It's a nature walk near a swamp that was used in the filming of the Notebook It's typically very quiet and a fairly easy walk It's a little quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of Summerville.” Berkeley County resident Lucinda Corbett said the boat ride is fun and offers a different perspective of the gardens "The butterfly house is so fun to go through and is great for educating your children of the life cycle of each type of butterfly," she said "There are many other things to see also like the bird area this scenic spot is a perfect place to unwind End the day with a sunset picnic for an unforgettable view consider a boat trip from Lake Moultrie to Charleston Harbor—it’s a journey filled with breathtaking sights spans an impressive 60,400 acres in the heart of Berkeley County this coastal plain lake offers a perfect escape for outdoor enthusiasts With over half its shoreline protected by a series of dams and dikes Lake Moultrie provides calm waters ideal for fishing Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure on the water this scenic destination is a must-visit in Berkeley County “Lake Moultrie is one of those places where you need to experience by boat to really enjoy the views,” said Tony Ford of Reel Therapy Charters “The summertime fun normally kicks off Memorial Day weekend We've taken trips by boat from Lake Moultrie all the way to Charleston Harbor That's a trip that words can't describe and offers some of the best scenery in the area.” this historic Trappist monastery offers serene gardens The abbey is also known for its mushroom farm where the monks cultivate a variety of gourmet mushrooms It serves as a sanctuary for those seeking spiritual solace and those looking to connect with nature “My favorite spot is Mepkin Abbey,” said Berkeley County resident Jan Holloway has a quaint little gift shop and is a lovely place to explore Old Santee Canal Park – A Journey Through History History lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike will appreciate Old Santee Canal Park With six miles of trails and picturesque picnic spots it’s easy to spend the whole day soaking in the natural beauty and history of the area “It’s very easy to fall in love with Old Santee Canal Park,” said Park Director Brad Sale it’s very easy to spend a full day exploring the rich history and nature of the area.” No staycation is complete without great food. Berkeley County is home to cozy cafés, seafood shacks and classic Southern eateries. For a full list of delicious local spots, visit visitberkeleycounty.com Instead of planning an expensive getaway this spring take advantage of the incredible destinations right here in Berkeley County you don’t have to go far to make lasting memories Many are out there every day nurturing their own garden spaces growing produce and beautiful plants and flowers the garden has become a metaphor for life and taken on special meaning Trace the steps of Noah and Allie's iconic love story by visiting these 7 Charleston landmarks Maggie Burch is a digital media professional with a decade of experience creating and managing multimedia content for national brands Maggie writes about decor and real estate trends — While world-class water-skiing shows will soon end at Legoland former skiers are still making a big impact Mark Jackson was 27 years old when he was recruited from Wisconsin to water ski at Cypress Gardens “In 1981 I was recruited to come down here and water ski at the Water Ski Capital of the World Which is sort of like playing for the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium,” said Jackson Jackson performed in front of millions at the Cypress Gardens theme park before it became Legoland and it takes a toll on your body but also skiing on the professional tour and free style jumping,” Jackson said Most professional water skiers in Polk County are brought down from up north “Young water skiers would dream of performing at Cypress Gardens,” said Dave Dershimer Dershimer left his home in Pennsylvania at 17 years old to make his water-skiing dream come true “I hitchhiked from Pennsylvania to Cypress Gardens and sooner or later I qualified and got hired,” Dershimer said Dershimer would be elected to lead the city “I was the mayor of the city that I hitchhiked into when I got to be 40 years old so the community means an awful lot to me” he said Jackson has been the director of Visit Central Florida for three decades and started the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing program “I got into some broadcasting and other things I was able to do that and still carry on and develop my professional career eventually here at Visit Central Florida,” he said They and many other former Cypress Gardens water skiers are leaving a lasting impact in the community “It allowed a lot of people to get out and develop their skills and grow then move into different careers and there's a lot of us out there,” said Jackson Cypress Gardens will host its second annual Swedish Midsummer Festival at 3030 Cypress Gardens Road in Moncks Corner will host its second annual Swedish Midsummer Festival Midsummer (or “Midsommar” in Swedish) is a June holiday marking the summer solstice It is a beloved tradition in Scandinavia and celebrates the ushering in of light after the long The festival will feature a traditional Swedish maypole folk music by members of the Summerville Orchestra The first 100 visitors will receive a free flower crown. Plus, for $15, people can enhance their festival experience with the “Taste of Sweden” platter, which includes pickled shrimp, Swedish meatballs, strawberries and cream, and cinnamon rolls. Order tickets for the tasting at cypressgardens.berkeleycountysc.gov/tasteof/ The Swedish Midsummer Festival coincides with Free Saturday for Berkeley County residents said the SR zoning doesn’t allow for any commercial use the primary purpose of an SR zone is for medium density residential development A developer is hoping to secure a zone change that will allow for more commercial development on Valencia County’s east side came before the Valencia County Planning and Zoning Commission in February to request a zone change from suburban residential to commercial 2 for about 4.5 acres on the southwest corner of Meadow Lake Road and Cypress Boulevard The property is on the south side of Meadow Lake Road and abuts the northern edge of the Cypress Gardens subdivision Gabaldon introduced himself to the commission as a third generation developer and builder of projects throughout Valencia County became involved with a project to construct 105 new homes in Eastland Hills which is the name for the subdivision that is the west side of Cypress Gardens The subdivision was previously owned by four separate landowners but Gabaldon said the development has been consolidated under Vermillion and they hope to begin construction of those 105 homes this spring “That will actually be the second phase of Cypress Gardens which is a master-planned community for single family and multi-family housing,” said Gabaldon the frontage lots were zoned commercial but due to changes over the years and some blanket zoning Rezoning the lots to C2 would increase services for the immediate neighborhood as well as the community of Meadow Lake to the east There are about 500 existing homes in Cypress Gardens with nearly another 250 built in the last three years plus the additional 105 lots that are ready for building with curb and gutter sewer and electric hook ups and plans for another 403 more in Eastland Hills “We are asking for C2 so we can start marketing to get proper infrastructure up there for these households,” he said “It seems the only infrastructure in that area up on the east side is a plethora of dollar stores P and Z Commissioner Ralph Freeman asked what kind of businesses Gabaldon envisioned a small grocery and more were mentioned by Gabaldon He added he is working with a commercial realtor who has made connections with companies that are interested in coming to the area but the property can’t be marketed and developed as commercial with the current zoning “It’s nice zoning if you want to build apartments but it allows for nothing of a commercial nature,” Kirkpatrick said “Cypress Gardens and Meadow Lake are not well served.” He said the zone change fits with the intent of the county’s comprehensive plan to cluster commercial uses into nodes and specific road corridors rather than scattered widely and conflicting with the plan’s priorities to preserve the county’s rural character The architect said when commercial development abuts with residential areas county ordinances require specific setbacks buffering zones and landscaping to protect the residents “The transition between those two zones are most critical,” Kirkpatrick said “I think the desire of (Gabaldon) is to create a buffer there is a requirement for commercial (zones) to create separation.” who lives on Sparling Court directly south of the properties proposed for commercial use said he was concerned about light and noise having an impact on his property Commission Chairman Phillip Sublett said any commercial development would have to comply with county ordinances laws like the New Mexico Night Sky Protection Act and any existing covenants in the subdivision asked if the neighborhood had the population needed to support the types of commercial activities Gabaldon envisioned “I go up to Meadow Lake and support the small groceries up there that are barely making it,” Siamo said “If we are going to have commercial businesses move in I hope this body will look at if we can support them.” The commission voted 4-1 to recommend the zone change Commissioner Mark Aguilar voted “no” on the matter The request will go forward to the Valencia County Commission for another public hearing and vote on the zone change request The planning and zoning commission is only a recommending board in regards to zone changes Dendinger can be reached directly by calling or texting 505-823-7803 Email notifications are only sent once a day LOS LUNAS — A proposed shopping center could bring some big changes and big names to Los Lunas west of Interstate 25 — if developers and the village are able to come to an agreement (Editor’s Note: The following agendas should be considered draft agendas until 72 hours prior to the meetings.) LOS LUNAS — The Los Lunas Library is cooking up an exciting community initiative aiming to celebrate and connect the community through the rich culinary traditions of Valencia County Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Berkeley County Council approved the county’s first-ever Greenbelt Preservation Plan outling its strategy to preserve and create greenspaces The Greenbelt Preservation Plan includes the following primary elements: 1) Overview of Planning Process; 2) Data Collection and Existing Conditions Analysis; 3) Core Priorities and Needs; and 4) County Action Plan This master plan focuses on prioritization of waterways and watersheds; buffers on existing greenspace; preservation of historic sites and working lands; water access; and greenways It also includes recommendations for six to eight community parks with natural elements and a variety of amenities and two to three regional parks — each at least 85 acres in size — for a broader population to enjoy Cypress Gardens is currently Berkeley County’s lone park the County closed on a $4 million deal with the SC Ports Authority for a 115-acre parcel on Daniel Island Half of the parcel’s funding ($2 million) stemmed from the SC Conservation Bank and State Resiliency Funds Negotiations are in the works for other potential park properties throughout the County In November 2022, Berkeley County residents voted, through a referendum to continue the county’s One Cent Sales Tax Program for another seven years For the first time since the program’s inception in 2008 funding of up to $58.7 Million will be used for Greenbelt Preservation projects funding can be used for financing greenbelt initiatives (including but not limited to purchasing property for conservation; purchasing conservation easements; creating passive greenspace; creating active greenspace; protecting natural resources; protecting agricultural or heritage landscapes; and protecting scenic corridors) View the full plan at the county’s website The latest daniel island weather To sign up for breaking news email alerts, Click on the email address below and put "email alerts" in the subject line: sdetar@thedanielislandnews.com Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Fla.— Captain Bridger Webb is navigating a well-traveled canal along Lake Eloise in Winter Haven It’s part of Florida’s first ever tourist attraction Since 1936, people have enjoyed the beauty of Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven Now visitors on the water encounter a minor calamity of an unnatural nature In front of Captain Webb’s shipshape vessel is a half-sunk LEGO pirate ship emerging from the water like a demented cypress knee There are also very cheeky monkeys hanging around Cypress Gardens lives on inside the Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven It’s preserved and part of the park’s Pirate River Quest “My favorite part of this ride for me is introducing kids to just such natural beauty that we have here within the Cypress Gardens,” said Webb “You think of this gazebo — all the old postcards advertisements — this was front and center right on them,” said Lee It’s part of Legoland’s mission here to honor and maintain Cypress Gardens Visitors also have to survive the attack of the canal kraken and the cheeky monkeys — in addition to appreciating Florida’s natural world The AdventHealth Winter Haven ER will create around 30 new jobs in the Polk County community one of the fastest-growing areas in Florida The AdventHealth Winter Haven ER has 24 exam rooms obstetrics-friendly room and pediatric-friendly rooms There will also be two triage rooms near the lobby to help get patients seen and into treatment quickly A helipad was also constructed behind the ER helping support critical patient transfers "We've closely listened to the needs of Winter Haven's community whole-person care in this fast-growing community," said Tim Clark president and CEO of the AdventHealth Polk Market we're ready to provide these essential services The AdventHealth Winter Haven ER marks the first phase of our commitment to expanding emergency care in Winter Haven We're thrilled to take this initial step and further grow our footprint here." AdventHealth continues to invest dollars right back into the communities we serve 24-bed freestanding (offsite) emergency department is the first phase to be built on the 42-acre site which includes space for a full-service hospital and medical office building Along with investing nearly $37M in the construction the AdventHealth Winter Haven ER will also create more than 30 new jobs HuntonBrady is the architecture firm chosen for the project and Robins & Morton managed the construction The AdventHealth Winter Haven project is just the latest in the longtime partnership between AdventHealth and Robins & Morton Robins & Morton team members completed more than 2,200 work hours with around 100 people on-site during the busiest period Robins & Morton worked with more than 30 local trade contractors and vendors "Robins & Morton is thrilled to complete this important emergency health care facility positive impact on our Winter Haven community," Robins & Morton Division Manager Todd Watson said "We are grateful to AdventHealth for their continued trust in us to deliver quality health care construction that supports their mission." The new offsite emergency department is located at 6945 Cypress Gardens Boulevard just 2.5 miles and less than five minutes away from the LEGOLAND Florida Resort AdventHealth is the official medical partner of LEGOLAND Florida Resort a department of AdventHealth Heart of Florida will open to new patients by the end of May 2024 Our website uses cookies. Please review our privacy policy to find out more about the cookies we use. Browsing our website means you accept these terms. Two decades since Allie and Noah’s love story was brought to cinema screens, Annabel Grossman visits the real-life locations where their romance unfolded I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Walking through the cobbled streets of Charleston on a summer’s night as a warm breeze gently sways palm trees against a midnight sky, it’s easy to see how this city became home to one of Hollywood’s greatest love stories Two decades ago, film producers came to South Carolina to scout locations for a new film based on the novel The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks beautifully preserved architecture and horse-drawn carriages slowly clopping through the city streets they fell for Charleston and settled on it as the setting for the fictional town of Seabrook where the majority of Allie and Noah’s love story takes place (although the novel itself was actually set in the real town of New Bern The film debuted on 25 June 2004, propelling Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams to stardom and cementing itself as a cultural touchstone in the public consciousness Read more on USA travel: a thriving restaurant scene and rows of boutique stores And fans of The Notebook can experience all this while visiting locations that are still easily recognisable from the movie These are the 12 that are worth a look both in and around the city – some are private residences and you won’t be able to enter while others welcome visitors and have fully embraced their Notebook fame the Admiral’s House was used for several interior shots of The Notebook including the scene where Allie paints on the balcony – it’s the “white house with blue shutters and a room overlooking the river” and the “big old porch that wraps around the entire house” of her dreams the blue room was used for a scene in the old people’s home where Noah tells his wife their story The interior of a nearby desanctified chapel went through several set transformations to serve as the backdrop for multiple scenes as well the Admiral’s House sits at the Old Naval Base – the area was where some of the (behind-the-scenes) production offices were located The house itself is picture-perfect South Carolina with weeping willows surrounding the property It’s now used for weddings and corporate events and can be booked for overnight stays as part of these packages Exterior shots of Allie’s family’s summer house were filmed at the Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens in Mount Pleasant which is around 25 minutes’ drive from downtown Charleston Photography and video recording isn’t allowed inside the house so production used a second location (the Williams Mansion) to film indoor scenes Fans will recognise the gates that Noah skids and crashes into when arriving at the house (a fun fact is that this wasn’t planned – Ryan Gosling simply didn’t brake on time) The creek behind the house was used for the famous lake scene where Noah jumps in the water The plantation is a popular tourist destination but has come under scrutiny in the past for holding weddings – Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively were criticised for marrying at the location without recognition of its troubled history There are nine 18th-century slave dwellings on the property and Boone Hall now holds educational programmes where visitors can learn about the history of the estate Cypress Gardens is a 40-minute drive out of the city but it’s worth making the trip and taking a boat out through the man-made swamp that’s lined with cypress trees – just like Noah and Allie did in The Notebook’s famous boat scene As you glide through the water that’s criss-crossed by pretty white bridges wood ducks and osprey – and even some alligators You can also take a stroll along the trails that surround the swamp Although the lake that Allie and Noah row through is filled with swans these birds are actually not native to the area – filmmakers bought the ones seen in the movie as chicks and then raised them on a nearby lake in a playpen so that they would get used to the location before using them in filming Although this is a private residence and visitors cannot enter it’s on our list as it’s the location of the house Noah built Allie – so worth a mention Rumour has it that Ryan Gosling wanted Noah to burn the house down after completing its renovations the wonderfully retro American Theater Scene was the setting for Noah and Allie’s first date its beautifully preserved Art Deco charm both inside and out is used as a venue for events The board outside that once showed screenings now displays messages – in fact it’s become very popular for marriage proposals Although you’ll need to be part of a planned event to enter the building its exterior is a must-see when strolling around Charleston Noah and Allie’s love story takes a turn after Allie goes to college and meets Lon (played by James Marsden) and the couple become engaged At the High Cotton restaurant in Charleston Noah spots Allie greeting her fiancé through the restaurant’s window You can still eat at the restaurant on East Bay Street in downtown Charleston where you’ll be served traditional low country fare on white tablecloths against a backdrop of exposed brick and heart pine floors a manager of neighbouring restaurant Slightly North of Broad was cast as the maitre d’ in this Notebook scene The charming Old Village in Mount Pleasant sets the scene for parts of Seabrook Fans will recognise Pitt Street Pharmacy as the place where Noah and Allie go on an ice cream date – you can still go into the delightfully old-fashioned store now for a scoop or two Just 15 minutes’ drive across the bridge from downtown Charleston It’s smaller and more laid-back than its neighbour but you could easily send a day exploring the beaches Old Village itself is particularly quaint with historic homes the Williams Mansion was used for indoor shots of the Hamiltons’ (Allie’s family) summer house the house has served as a private residence it should be open for visitors later this summer Engaged to another man and trying on her wedding dress Allie is in William Aiken House right in the centre of downtown Charleston – just steps away from the America Theater – when she sees Noah in the newspaper and faints still looks very much the same now as it did in the movie with a large courtyard and a two-century-old magnolia tree sitting outside Tourists can view the house from the street but will need to be part of an organised event to be invited inside Black River Plantation was Allie’s nursing home it has held various names such as Rice Hope Plantation and Waddell Ranch and was at one time the International Paper Company House The joyful scene in which Noah and Allie dance and lie together on the road after their first date was shot at King Street as well as vintage parking meters and window signs were set up during the filming Now it’s a relatively busy intersection – so don’t be tempted to recreate the scene – and it’s just a short walk from the William Aiken House and American Theater so you can combine all three locations on a stroll downtown In the film, Allie went to college at Sarah Lawrence in New York but the producers decided to utilise the Charleston-based college to stay local and used it for scenes when she was studying It’s worth taking a wander through the campus which was founded in 1770 and is the 13th-oldest university in the US Read more: USA travel guide – everything you need to know before you go Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies ‘The Notebook’ captured hearts with its classic love story set in 1940s America Annabel Grossman visits the real-life locations where their romance unfolded WINTER HAVEN — AdventHealth held the official groundbreaking ceremonies for its new Winter Haven emergency room on Wednesday morning The health care provider acquired 42 acres off the northwest corner of Cypress Gardens Boulevard and Cypress Gardens Road last year It plans to construct a new hospital and emergency room with medical facilities in stages at 6945 Cypress Gardens Boulevard "We are very excited to be taking this first step to further expand our footprint of emergency care services here in Winter Haven," Tim Clark president and CEO of AdventHealth Polk Market "The community has told us there is a need for convenient world-class whole-person care here in the southeast area of Winter Haven and AdventHealth is proud to provide those services." The company will build a nearly 20,000-square-foot free-standing emergency department with 24 exam rooms in the first phase of construction The emergency department will have resuscitation obstetrics and isolation rooms in addition to 20 private patient rooms Two of these spaces will be designed to be pediatric-friendly AdventHealth plans to build two triage rooms off the lobby to help patients get into treatment quickly The emergency department will offer laboratory services There will be a helicopter pad setup behind the emergency department Circle B Bar Reserve Polk County announces temporary closure of two trails Lake Wales Resurfacing work begins Monday for streets Winter Haven man Report on death in Georgia jail spawns national outrage AdventHealth's new facility was designed by architectural firm HuntonBrady, and construction will be overseen by Alabama-based Robins & Morton Construction is estimated to be completed by summer 2024 A second phase of construction will see the buildout of a 192-bed hospital with medical office buildings that will connect to the emergency department Winter Haven Mayor Brad Dantzler said AdventHealth's new emergency room and hospital will help support the city's rapid growth by providing high-quality medical services "All you've got to do is drive down Cypress Gardens Boulevard and you will see over 1,500 units that are under construction," he said in a statement "Winter Haven is in a massive growth spurt right now and this time couldn't be better for AdventHealth and Winter Haven to come in here and service the people who are moving in." AdventHealth's new site will tie into its existing Winter Haven network with physician offices a Central Care location and build upon its relationship with the Bond Clinic The site is less than 2.5 miles and a five-minute drive from the Legoland Florida Resort for which AdventHealth is the official medical partner Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545 — A man accused of exposing himself multiple times to women in the parking lot of a Winter Haven Walmart has been arrested The Winter Haven Police Department said Trinell Alexander Webster drove to the Walmart at 355 Cypress Gardens Boulevard on June 30 around 6:45 p.m he parked beside the vehicles where the female victims were sitting a woman was sitting in her vehicle waiting for a family member inside the store when a blue Toyota Corolla pulled up beside her police said she glanced over and saw Webster had exposed himself and was holding a cell phone in his other hand The victim drove away to find a different parking spot Police said she didn't immediately contact them because she was "in shock" at what had happened a mother and her 17-year-old daughter were sitting in their vehicle waiting for a family member inside the store when the same Corolla pulled in next to them Officers said the victims called Winter Haven PD when they saw Webster had again exposed himself and was holding a cell phone in his other hand The victims of the second incident were able to report the Corolla's tag and police said Webster was found to be the owner Webster was interviewed on July 9 and placed himself in the Walmart parking lot on both occasions After driving home from his work in Brandon he sometimes "decompresses" by driving around the lot before going home Police said the mother from the July 7 incident posted a message about the incident on social media and she received a direct message from another woman who had encountered the same thing in the same parking lot detectives contacted her for an interview and said they confirmed the incident involved the same vehicle and the same description of Webster Webster was taken into custody for the July 7 incident and booked into Polk County Jail for two counts of exposure of sexual organs Police said an additional charge for exposure of sexual organs was filed after the victim of the June 30 incident was interviewed "We believe there are possibly more victims who encountered this criminal and we encourage them to contact us immediately," said Police Chief David Brannan Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of this type of crime should contact the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-401-2256 When a mugshot is usedIf the person is still on the loose and a potential threat to the community; if there is a good chance that showing the suspect would help identify additional victims or otherwise protect the public from a serious threat or if the crime or the suspect is of such a significant note that seeing them in a mugshot is in the greater public interest Using previous mugshotsOnly if the story is specifically talking about that previous crime United StatesChevron South CarolinaChevron CharlestonChevron ChevronChevronPhotosSave this storySaveSave this storySaveReviewed by Allston McCradyLet’s start big picture All said and done, what—and who—is this best for? up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Our noses have been buried in our next three book projects; hence the lack of postings Here’s some updates from the last month beginning with the sad news that Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes Park former spring-training home of the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians has been torn down–but baseball will still be played at the site This was not an unexpected outcome: the city has given up years and years ago in attracting another MLB team for spring training and given the relatively decrepit condition of the ballpark and training facility The ballpark was going to be torn down; it was just a matter of when But Cypress Gardens Boulevard is now filled with fast-food joints and theme hotels and Cypress Gardens have been subsumed by Legoland Chain of Lakes Park wasn’t a great training site–the low-lying practice fields were plagued by standing water after a decent rain and the ballpark itself featured very little in the way of comfortable seating Let’s hope there’s some sort of memorial erected on the site Our most lasting memory of Chain of Lakes Park has little to do with BoSox or Indians players but rather with the continuation of one of baseball’s great traditions Attending a Cleveland spring-training game meant a chance to observe and meet the great Bob Feller who even in his later years donned a uniform and set up a table at the front entrance of the ballpark before games It was pretty amazing to the former teenage phenom–who made his MLB debut on July 19 as a seventeen-year-old after his junior year of high school–still so connected to the game and his fans We covered the topic in more depth on Spring Training Online RELATED STORIES: Florida Sports Tourism: Successfully Recycling Old Pro Ballparks Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates boston red sox, chain of lakes park, cleveland indians, grapefruit league, winter haven Enter your email address to subscribe to Ballpark Digest and receive notifications of new posts by email immediately when a new story is posted This is not a replacement for the newsletter but rather a real-time notification system MLB Renovation Watch Endangered Ballparks Legoland has officially announced the closure of the last remaining roller coaster of its historical Cypress Gardens stage The origins of Cypress Gardens go back to 1936, when Dick and Julie Pope created a botanical garden in Winter Haven. Over time, the park gained popularity and became coined as Florida’s first amusement park It was known for its more than 8,000 plant species from 90 different countries It hailed iconic characters known as “Southern Belles” and the park hosted water-ski shows the park became known as the “water-ski capital of the world.” most of its rides were altered to fit the Legoland theme the Cypress Gardens era will come to a symbolic end as its last remaining roller coaster original to its time which was known as Swamp Thing when it was created in 2004 which coincides with National Roller Coaster Day Legoland has not given any information on what ride may replace Flying School other aspects of Cypress Gardens like the botanical gardens are still well preserved WINTER HAVEN — Most visitors come to Legoland Florida Resort for the rides and shows the 30-acre botanical reserve that memorializes Legoland’s predecessor remains an essential element of the attraction Protected through ownership by the state and Polk County the area along Lake Eloise is dependent upon Legoland for its upkeep An inspection by a county employee in April raised questions about how well the theme park is meeting that responsibility the parks maintenance manager suggested Legoland was maintaining Cypress Gardens “at a minimal level.” A spokeswoman said Legoland has gradually restored previously neglected parts of the botanical gardens since acquiring the property in 2010 and more recently has worked to repair damages caused by Hurricane Irma in September the retired director of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce and a periodic visitor to the park said the gardens will never again sparkle as they did in the heyday of the Cypress Gardens theme park but seem to be well maintained honestly my last visit I thought the gardens looked the best they had in years,” Gernert said The name “Cypress Gardens” honors one of Florida’s original tourist attractions The attraction soon became internationally known for its acres of flowers and its “Southern belles,” young female employees in pastel-hued hoop dresses The emergence of Walt Disney World and other Orlando-area attractions sent Cypress Gardens’ attendance into a decades-long decline bought the property and opened Legoland Florida in 2011 Though Merlin removed much of the old attraction to install its rides and shows the botanical gardens were off limits for major changes engineered a deal in 2004 under which the state bought a conservation easement for the entire 150-acre property and Polk County bought the 30-acre botanical gardens Gernert helped facilitate those transactions and after retiring he led a successful effort to have Cypress Gardens listed on the National Register of Historic Places Gernert said the botanical area Legoland Florida inherited bore little resemblance to the splendorous greenery of Cypress Gardens in its prime When Anheuser-Busch owned the park from 1989 to 1995 company leader August “Auggie” Busch III “poured untold money” into paved paths and flower plantings once told him the botanical gardens cost several million dollars a year to maintain “When the gardens were filled with annuals and there were flowers everywhere the area that is the Legoland parking lot was a nursery,” Gernert said “So they were growing all those flowers they put in there and after the park closed is when the park and the gardens really went to seed ‘Who and what is going to bring that back to life and to some level of grandeur The 2004 lease agreement compelled Buescher and any subsequent owners to “reasonably restore some sections of the gardens were closed because of their poor condition Legoland has done restoration work and reopened parts of the gardens including a Florida-shaped swimming pool built along Lake Eloise in 1953 Polk County periodically sends an employee to Legoland to do an inspection visited April 3 and followed with a written report OttawaNewsStittsville family recreates Christmas movie themed holiday light display for charityBy Kimberley Johnson and William EltheringtonPublished: December 01, 2024 at 4:29PM EST Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved (WCIV) — One person is dead following a single-vehicle collision in Berkeley County Saturday evening The Berkeley County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 28-year-old Davon Higgins of North Charleston According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) the collision occurred at approximately 8:13 p.m on Cypress Gardens Road at Bushy Park Road approximately seven miles south of Moncks Corner Authorities say a 2014 Dodge Charger driven by Higgins was traveling south on Cypress Gardens Road when it traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the collision The collision is under investigation by the SCHP receiving assistance from the Winter Haven Fire Department The fire was believed to be caused by an electrical issue a call to the restaurant yielded a recording saying that the business remained temporarily closed “We are working to get repairs done and hope to be open soon,” the recording said The restaurant overlooking Ned Lake opened in 1992 (WCIV) — The Lowcountry is a premier spot in the state to fish and go on the water Berkeley County is now making it easier to access those waterways The Berkeley County Roads & Bridges and Facilities & Grounds crews will unveil new improvements to the Cypress Gardens boat landing Wednesday at 4 p.m County officials said over 100 boats come through the landing a day there were only 35 parking spots for these boaters to use- forcing many to park farther down Cypress Gardens Road county officials said boaters will now have safer access to the water The Cypress Gardens boat landing now has over 91 boat and trailer parking spaces as well as 47 passenger vehicle spots and four handicap boat trailer parking spots The additions make it one of the largest sites in the county Read More: Cypress Gardens boat landing parking expansion project complete Improvements were also made to the boat access points and a new pavilion was built for casual fishers The landing has fishing competitions- with nearly 90 boats regularly- held at this landing and county officials say these improvements will help provide the ample space needed for residents enjoy the water “In Berkeley County and in the Charleston area- but big time in Berkeley County- we have some of the best fisheries in the entire country,” Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said “We routinely had over 100 boats or 100 users the project wasn't 'if you build it they're already here and what are you gonna do about it.” Cribb says the manufacturing plant Dupont donated 100 percent of the land for these improvements which eased the burden on the county's budget Not only do over 100 boats come through the landing a day but officials say the number of casual fishers who come to the dock have increased ten-fold With the increased number of pedestrians in the area county officials have some added new walkways and security measures for a safer experience The county planted new ropes and poles to carve out a safe pedestrian walkway which they said was a priority at Cypress Gardens due to its proximity to the busy Cypress Gardens Road Read More: Dominion Energy donations to help SCDNR make SC waterways safer Additional security cameras and lighting have also been installed The Cypress Gardens landing is the first boat landing to receive these improvements by the county with more planned improvements to others in the future County officials say it will cut down on traffic in the area and provide more access to waterways closer to home Read More:King Street business owners express concerns over Business Improvement District “Planting all those poles out there and rope is not inexpensive and easy to do but it's really important to do so we can protect the pedestrians from the different vehicle traffic coming in,” Cribb said The more quality safe boat landings you have people want to go to the one closest to their home but they will drive much further away if they need to this helps us keep cars off the road needlessly.” Cribb said the next project they are working on is the Spiers boat landing in Cross The brand-new site is planned to include 450 parking spaces for boaters and a full hiking trail for residents to use.