LAKELAND, FL (Feb. 26, 2026) – In a ceremony held just two days ago on February 24, 2026, Polk County officials, community leaders, and project partners officially opened the Holloway Family Trail in Lakeland with a ribbon-cutting event, highlighting a major $3.9 million state grant that made the visionary connection possible.
The trail stands as a lasting tribute to the late Ed Holloway, Jr., whose foresight in acquiring 1,600 acres of former mined land in 1990 laid the groundwork for both conservation and recreation. The project’s breakthrough came through Orlando Health’s donation of a key half-mile corridor parallel to the Polk Parkway after acquiring adjacent property for the Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital in 2021.
Polk County Commission Chair Martha Santiago praised the addition: “We’re extremely happy to have this wonderful new multi-use recreational trail as an addition to our existing Fort Fraser Trail system. I am sure cyclists and walkers will love being able to now get from Bartow to downtown Lakeland via this trail.”
Former Commissioner George Lindsey added his reflections: “It’s a beautiful facility, it ties our county and our cities together and it is a great testament to the Holloway family.”
Funded primarily by the $3.9 million state grant—supplemented by contributions from Polk County and the City of Lakeland—construction started in July 2024 and reached completion this year. The prize-worthy investment enhances regional connectivity, supports active lifestyles, and preserves natural spaces in honor of Holloway’s enduring outdoor legacy.
Local residents in areas like nearby Auburndale can now enjoy expanded trail access, boosting outdoor recreation across Polk County.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY GOVERNMENT
