New parking area opens at Marshall Hampton Reserve in Winter Haven

A new parking area is now available for use at the Marshall Hampton Reserve on Thornhill Road in Winter Haven. The new parking area is one quarter-mile south of the original parking area, which is now closed.

The construction of the Central Polk Parkway is crossing a portion of the reserve, a 1,173-acre property owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and managed by Polk County's Natural Resources Department. The district sold 67.79 acres to the Turnpike Enterprise for the project.

The 6.5-mile toll road will eventually connect the Polk Parkway to U.S. 17. Construction began last year and is scheduled for completion in 2029. The Turnpike Enterprise ultimately plans to extend the segment from U.S. 17 to State Road 60 near Connersville Road.

For additional information, contact the Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division at 863-668-4673.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: New parking area opens at Marshall Hampton Reserve in Winter Haven