ABOUT THE PROJECT

Lake Wales, “The Crown Jewel of the Ridge”, is one of the most special places in Florida. With a historic downtown set amongst picturesque rural landscapes and rolling citrus groves, Lake Wales is a city rich in natural beauty, history, and community. It embodies the idea the famous Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm had in the 1920s and 30s, when they planned Lake Wales as a “city in a garden.” But in 2023 a lot is changing. Proposals for thousands of new homes are being discussed, along with new industries and ways of working; the time is now to work together as a community to shape the future of this remarkable place. 

The City of Lake Wales is bringing together experts in community design, partners like Rollins College, Bok Tower Gardens, and Lake Wales Heritage, and you, the residents of Lake Wales, to embark on Lake Wales Envisioned, a pivotal effort to chart a course forward to ensure that the future Lake Wales is something residents can be proud of.

What is most important to you? Conservation? Good jobs? Neighborhoods with housing for all kinds of households? Walkable streets? We need your help to make the plan.

Keep an eye on this website for future opportunities to engage in this effort, to lend a hand and your perspective.

What do you think Olmsted’s Garden City should look like in 10, 25, and 50 years?

 Initial Aspirations

  1. We will seek to assemble an enduring green network of open spaces and conservation lands.

  2. We will partner with landowners, investors, and the community to encourage input, collaboration, and respect property rights.

  3. We will make infill development and revitalization a priority.

  4. We will emphasize economic prosperity by increasing property values through quality development.

  5. We will facilitate employment opportunities by supporting a mix of land uses and industries.

  6. We will seek to make traditional neighborhoods with walkable, connected streets that create a high-quality public realm the norm.

  7. We will discourage conventional urban sprawl as defined in Florida Statutes Chapter 163.

  8. We will grow a livable transportation network by implementing the Lake Wales Mobility Plan and including context-sensitive Complete Streets.

This list of initial aspirations was developed based on input gathered from community members, stakeholders and public officials during the 2022 Land Use Study, and the general understanding and purpose of the Lake Wales Envisioned plan. These initial aspirations were adopted by resolution of the City Commission in January 2023, and will be reviewed, refined and further detailed with community feedback throughout the Lake Wales Envisioned process.

 WHAT IS A VISION PLAN?

A vision plan is a dynamic short- and long-term planning document that provides a framework to guide future growth, development, and conservation. It is based on a study of background data including current and previous plans, analysis of existing development and its physical characteristics, and community input during the planning process.

 WHAT IS A CHARRETTE?

Charrette is a French word that in English translates to “little cart.”  Architectural history holds that at the famous architecture school in 19th century Paris, the École des Beaux-Arts, students would continue sketching as little carts carried their drawing boards away to be judged and graded.  Today, charrette has come to describe the rapid, intensive, and creative work session in which a planning team focuses on a particular problem and arrives at a collaborative solution.  The charrette is product-oriented.  Public charrettes are fast becoming the preferred way to address the planning challenges that confront American cities.

 WHAT DOES A CHARRETTE ACCOMPLISH?

We use the charrette process to produce conceptual plans for neighborhoods, towns, and cities, working with communities to engage a cross-section of neighbors, property owners, business owners, public interest groups, government staff, and elected officials.  During a hands-on session for neighbors, an intense, interactive workshop is conducted.  A studio is then set up where the planning team works rapidly over several days to synthesize input and test ideas.  Design concepts are documented in sketches, photos, hand drawn renderings and computer simulations. 

While the hands-on sessions are the primary organized event for group brainstorming and community input, the entire charrette process is open for drop-in discussions.  At the close of the charrette, participants review the draft work-in-progress.

WHY IS THE CHARRETTE PROCESS PREFERRED?

An advantage of the charrette process is getting large quantities of work done in a short period of time, allowing for busy people to participate and provide their input.  This process works best when everyone with an interest in the project, from regulators to neighbors to business decision-makers, is able to participate.

 

   MEET THE TEAM

CITY OF LAKE WALES

Town Planning

DOVER, KOHL & PARTNERS

Land Use & Parks Planning

INSPIRE PLACEMAKING

Environmental Planning

EXUM ASSOCIATES, INC.

Transportation Planning

KITTELSON & ASSOCIATES