Marshall Hampton Reserve is a 1,173 acre preserve in Polk County, Florida. It was acquired in 2008 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. It is at 3115 Thornhill Road in Winter Haven, Florida.[1] The Central Polk Parkway (SR 570B) being constructed in 2024 cuts through the preserve.[2][3]

The preserve borders Lake Hancock and is across from Circle B. Preserve.[4]It is at the headwaters of the Peace River. It includes oak hammock and mesic flatwoods as well as a 60 acre pond. Trails include two loops. The property has live oak, slash pine, sweet gum, and palmetto.[4]

Animal species in the area include foxes, Sherman's fox squirrels, bobcats, and deer. Birding in the area offers sightings of species including wild turkey, hawks, owls, woodpeckers, warblers, and migratory birds.[5] There are various flowering plants including rattlesnake master, Eryngium yuccifolium, largeflower milkweed, Elephantopus elatus, swamp leatherflower (Clematis crispa) and Mazus pumilus.[5]

Trails

The park's trail system connects to Fort Freser Trail.[6]

In 2024 construction of a spillway from a borrow pit resulted in some trail closures.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Marshall Hampton Reserve". Polk County Environmental Lands Program.
  2. ^ Portion of Hampton Reserve gives way to toll road January 8, 2024 Lakeland Ledger
  3. ^ "Central Polk Parkway route raises concerns".
  4. ^ a b "Marshall Hampton Reserve". Polk County Government.
  5. ^ a b c Walters, Bonnie (December 14, 2021). "Marshall Hampton Reserve and The Acorn Trail".
  6. ^ "Panther Point Trail Increases to 8 Miles". 23 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Marshall Hampton Reserve - Lakeland, Florida". Visit Central Florida.
  8. ^ "Some trails at Marshall Hampton Reserve closed, but Panther Point is open".