Certified horticulturist Kevin Polk is the new landscape designer and arborist for the City’s parks & recreation department.
Polk will oversee the current plans to revive the landscapes in the city’s historic core – paying homage to the town’s original 1930s landscape architects, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and the Olmsted Brothers, commissioned by Edward Bok.
“Kevin’s skillsets and experience will help us restore the once legendary landscapes in Central Florida,” City Manager James Slaton said.
Polk spent part of his career supervising the landscape design plans at the City of Lakeland’s Hollis Gardens – reviving a landscape vision dating to 1928. Polk was later promoted to oversee the landscape initiatives for Lakeland’s parks and streetscapes.
“The history of landscape architecture in Lake Wales is unique,” Polk said. “I plan to make each landscape unique and aesthetically beautiful while keeping the historical charm of Lake Wales.”
Polk will serve a significant role in the City’s ‘Lake Wales Connected’ plan, a community-based vision to revitalize the downtown area and northwest neighborhood.
“We’re creating a ‘City in a Garden’, and Kevin will help us fulfill that goal,” Parks & Recreation Manager Stephanie Lutton said. “Our long-range parks & recreation master plan includes new trails, enhanced parks and botanical-rich environments.”
Polk holds a B.A. in business management from the University of South Florida and a certification in public administration from Florida State University. He’s also a certified horticulture professional by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association.