Carmel Smith of Exit Realty Lakeland 

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Take a Look at Lakeland

Nestled in the heart of sunny Florida, Lakeland and surrounding Polk County offer an unparalleled quality of life for residents and businesses alike. Located only an hour from both Tampa and Orlando, the city boasts a skilled workforce, strong economy, high economic development, lodging and convention facilities, quality health care, exceptional educational opportunities, an excellent transportation system and abundant leisure activities and cultural events. As we move into the new millennium this thriving city of 79,000 residents is the perfect place to live and work.

More than 171,000 people live within a seven-mile radius of downtown Lakeland, and Polk County has an estimated 471,657 residents throughout its 2,048 square miles. Job opportunities abound for both city and county residents in such areas as phosphate mining, tourism, distribution, light manufacturing, citrus production and retail and service industries. Lakeland also boasts ideal subtropical weather, with an average annual temperature of 72 degrees. Rainfall averages 50 inches per year. And, at 216 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest spots in peninsular Florida.

Once a pioneering settlement, Lakeland still enjoys a strong sense of community and work ethic. Volunteer and social service organizations flourish, employees believe in making a positive contribution to their places of work and businesses strive to offer excellent services and products.

The 19th most populated city in Florida, Lakeland is a blend of modern conveniences and diversions. Discover for yourself the opportunities for success and prosperity in this jewel of a city.

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Getting Around Lakeland

Lakeland's transportation system is constantly growing. The completion of several major projects, including the Polk Parkway and the downtown Amtrak Station, along with future projects, including the In-Town Bypass and new terminal and runway improvements at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport will make this strong transportation system even better in the future.

Surface Transportation

The Polk Parkway - at $471 million, the largest public works project ever in Lakeland - opened to travelers in August 1998. This new, limited access toll road provides people in rapidly-growing south Lakeland with direct access to Interstate-4 and the rest of Florida's interstate highway network. The In-Town Bypass, slated to begin construction shortly after the turn of the century, is a project designed to improve east-west traffic flow in downtown Lakeland. This new road will reduce commercial traffic on downtown streets.

Rail Service

The completion of the Amtrak station in late 1998, has brought upgraded passenger rail service to Lakeland. Overlooking beautiful Lake Mirror, due east of downtown Lakeland, the train station will allow rail passengers access to trains bound daily for Miami and Jacksonville. Amtrak (1-800-USA-RAIL) also has a passenger boarding station in nearby Winter Haven.

The CSX Railroad System provides access to the vast network of rail within the county. They offer multi-modal service for freight and distribution, including train, truck, barge and container services. Several switching yards are available, and the north-south and east-west mainlines extend from the center of Polk County.

Air Transportation
Located about four miles southwest of Lakeland's central business district is the city-owned and operated Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (863-648-3299, Fax: 863-648-3274). With nearly 200,000 air movements per year, the airport is reported to have the busiest contact tower in the United States. Lakeland Linder Regional Airport handles private aircraft and executive jets, supports 190-plus based aircraft, a terminal and tower, office / hangar space and two runways. It further offers FBO facilities and ground crews, and is I.L.S., V.O.R. and N.D.B. equipped.

The future looks bright for this airport as many new improvements are in the works. The airport hopes to enhance its ability to attract a major airline here to provide regular service from Lakeland. New runway and taxiway upgrades and a modern new terminal and air traffic control tower will help the airport keep pace with its heavy volume. The Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, combined with the businesses located at the airport's Lakeland Airside Center and Lakeland AirPark, employs more than 2,000 employees, making them the seventh leading employer in Polk County.

Two of Florida's busiest commercial airports are less than an hour's drive from Lakeland. Domestic and international flights from both Tampa International Airport and Orlando International Airport allow Lakeland residents to access air transportation with ease. For parking information and passenger paging, call Tampa International Airport (1-800-767-8882) or Orlando International Airport (407-825-2001).

Bus Service

Lakeland is the only city in Polk County offering low-cost, public bus transportation. The Citrus Connection (863-688-RIDE) offers one-way fares for adults for 75 cents and 50 cents for students, ages 6 to 18. A special discount fare of 35 cents is offered for elderly and handicapped riders.

All children under the age of six ride free when accompanied by an adult. The fleet of full-size, air-conditioned buses follow specific, pre-determined routes and run Monday through Friday from 5:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

The Citrus Connection terminal in downtown Lakeland serves as the hub for all buses. The Citrus Connection also offers a call-ahead, door-to-door service for Lakeland's elderly and disabled residents. The Handy Bus is an excellent resource that continues to grow, serving more than 8,000 riders a month.

For car pooling purposes, the Citrus Connection offers "The Van Plan" - leased vans seating 15 passengers. Altogether, the Citrus Connection serves a total population of more than 115,000 people.

Citrus Trolley
The Downtown Citrus Trolley offers a free ride through the downtown area, as well as a shuttle service to the Lakeland Center. Its continuous route stops as needed and runs during the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays.

Port Facilities
With three terminals, the Port of Tampa (813-272-0555) is a prime homeport for cruise destinations. Located in the upper northeast corner of Tampa Bay on Hillsborough Bay, it is used as a port of call to many other cruise ships throughout the year. The Port of Tampa also has 82 public and private berths that handle liquid and dry bulk cargoes, including phosphate, citrus and a wide variety of goods manufactured in Lakeland and other Polk County cities.

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Educational Opportunities

Lakeland's learning environment is conducive to earning a solid, useful education. Beginning with specialized learning programs for the youngest children through courses available at institutions of higher learning, educational options exist for everyone. Many opportunities for participating in higher educational activities also exist in the city. Seven institutions in Lakeland and Polk County have been established expressly for that purpose.

Public Schools
http://www.pcsb.k12.fl.us

The Polk County Public School district is composed of 63 elementary schools, 19 middle schools, 17 high schools and nine adult, alternative, vocational or exceptional student centers. Eight magnet schools offer specialized courses and enforce discipline more strictly than the other public schools. Six charter schools are also located in Lakeland.

Polk County's public school system is the 45th largest in the nation, with a student population in excess of 77,000 students and a staff of over 4,800 teachers. More than one-third of Polk County's teachers have earned advanced degrees, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to serve Lakeland's youth.

There is a great community presence in the schools that includes a multitude of dedicated volunteers donating their time to helping students in a variety of ways. Volunteers in Polk Schools offer partnership opportunities to 2,100 businesses. Community support is a very important aspect of the learning process in Polk County and it is part of what makes the school system so strong and effective.

More than $180,000 in scholarships have been awarded to students by the Polk Education Foundation, which is supported financially by the local business community.

A designation known as Five Star Schools has been given to 17 of the public schools in Polk County, a state designation for schools with exemplary community involvement. This is another indication of the remarkable amount of parental and other volunteer involvement in school programs. The public schools of Polk County are also known for their emphasis on computer-assisted instruction, having at least one lab at every district school.

Private Schools
Students in Lakeland can also benefit from attending any of the quality private schools in the area, of varying affiliations. The scope of grade levels available at private schools ranges from pre-school and kindergarten to 12th grade. Nursery/kindergarten schools total 44, while parochial and private elementary and secondary schools have a total in excess of 14.

Area offices of Polk County Public Schools
East (863) 678-4267
North Central (863) 965-5462
Northwest (863) 499-2866
South Central (863) 534-7454
Southwest (863) 648-3545

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Colleges and Universities
Florida Southern College (863-680-4111), on the shores of Lake Hollingsworth, was founded in 1885 by the United Methodist Church and is one of Florida's oldest private colleges.

At Polk Community College (863-297-1000), students may earn associate degrees in 57 majors that transfer easily to the nine state universities in Florida. There are also certificate programs and continuing education classes.

The curriculum of Florida Metropolitan University/Tampa College Lakeland (863-686-1444) equips business students with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for building their careers. The available degrees include several associates degrees and bachelors and masters degrees in business administration.

Located in Southeast Lakeland, the University of South Florida Lakeland (863-667-7000) provides Lakeland students with the opportunity to take advantage of the resources of the University of South Florida in Tampa. "Virtual" classroom instruction transmitted via television from the main campus allows students in Lakeland to communicate with professors at the Tampa location.

Southeastern College (863-667-5000) is a Pentecostal, Bible-based college whose enrollment is over 1,450 students. Some of the available programs include bachelor of arts degrees in church ministries, church business administration, education, psychology, communications and music. Lakes, trees and orange groves enrich its 57-acre campus. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the American Association of Bible Colleges accredit the college.

Keiser College (863-701-8758) is a two-year college accredited to award the Associate Degree. Keiser College offers 18 majors in high demand career fields. The newest degree program is an Associate of Arts with a major in eCommerce.

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Visual and Performing Arts

Lakeland has several area art shows, museums and theatre productions that make it a community full of cultural flair. Lakeland's publicly supported center for the creative arts is called Arts on the Park (863-680-ARTS) and is located on the east edge of historic Munn Park downtown. Its local community action projects focus on bringing creativity to Lakeland while competitions, exhibits and publications reach artists across the state. Admission to the attraction is free.

One of Florida's last remaining "atmospheric" theaters, the Polk Theatre (863-682-8227), is a venue for films, live performances and special events for the citizens of Polk County. The Polk Museum of Art (863-688-7743) displays a permanent exhibit of pre-Columbian artwork, a sculpture garden and rotating exhibits. Lakeland's community theatrical company, the Pied Piper Players (863-499-8236) is now in its 12th season of presenting family theatre October through June. If you are in the mood for the ballet, the Florida Dance Theatre (863-802-0399) is just for you. Formerly the Lakeland Ballet, this non-profit organization has been presenting major dance performances in Polk County for four seasons. Students at the Polk Community College (863-297-1050) perform both short and full-length plays annually. The students of the PCC Players and The Reader's Theatre design, cast and produce the plays in their entirety during the school year. Florida Southern College's Festival of Fine Arts (863-680-4110) runs from October through April each year and features musical, theatrical and dance performances. The Lakeland Center hosts The Imperial Symphony Orchestra (863-688-3743) in its Youkey Theater. The orchestra also entertains audiences at other places throughout the county, including Bok Tower Gardens.

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Stepping Out on the Town

Shopping in Lakeland is a truly eclectic experience. Lakeland and Polk County have antique districts, plazas, shopping centers, major and mini malls, flea markets and farmers' markets. Major city thoroughfares such as South Florida Avenue and U.S. 98 North are home to an assorted number of shops and restaurants, including the Lakeland Square Mall.
Spending an afternoon shopping is convenient at the mall, which features 130 specialty stores, a food court and high-quality department stores like Burdines, Belk-Lindsey, Dillard's North and Dillard's South, J. C. Penney, and Sears. Located off Interstate 4 at Exit 18, on U.S. 98 North, the mall has more than one million square feet of retail space.

More than 100 independently owned specialty and antique shops grace Lakeland's downtown district. These shops, located in historic buildings dating from the early 1900s, have an incredible selection of antiques, jewelry, china, crystal, clothing, art and much more. Stores such as Brooke Pottery, Eclectic Emporium, Yates & Hagan, Sara Christopher's, Nathan's Men's Store, and Lakeland Gift Basket, can provide the perfect wedding, anniversary, birthday or other special occasion gift. More antiquing is just a short drive to antique districts in Bartow, Davenport, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Polk City and Winter Haven.

Over the past few years Lakeland's downtown nightlife and dining experiences have flourished. Evening visitors to the downtown may enjoy a Cajun-style dinner at Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille before heading over to Hurricane Alley for a margarita and some dancing at Lillian's Music Store. For those interested in having a "lager" in an authentic Irish pub, Molly McHugh's is right across the street. If live, slow rock or blues music is appealing, Trader's, a long-time Lakeland night spot is also within walking distance in the downtown area.

With Lakeland's many dining establishments to choose from, diners are sure to find a cuisine to their liking. Serving up everything from fine dining to a quick snack, Lakeland's restaurateurs offer meal options ranging from seafood cooked with Cajun spices to country barbecue; from Cuban, Chinese and Japanese cuisine to all-American burgers and fries.

Summer lunchtime Wednesdays have been improved with downtown's "Tunes at Noon," a summer music series in downtown Munn Park, and additional dining choices such as The Antiquarian, Lomanno's Meet Me for Coffee, Dona Maria, The Terrace Hotel and more.

What Does it Cost?

Barber Shop: Standard men's haircut $7-$12
Beauty Shop: Women's shampoos, trim and blow dry $10-$20
Bowling: Per lane, per hour $5-$7
Dentist: Cleaning and inspection (no X-rays or fluoride) $48
Dry Cleaning: Men's two-piece suit $6.50-$8
Hospital: Daily, semi-private room $425.60
Movie: Evening price $6-$7
Newspaper: Everyday home delivery, per month $10.60
Physician: Office visit to general practitioner $45

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Recreation

Polk County's abundance of wide-open space ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for recreational pursuits - whether it be hiking, camping, swimming or boating. Just visit one of the many municipal or county parks, two state parks, or rivers and lakes in the area. Boat ramps offer direct access to lakes and rivers at most of the parks. Lakeland has challenging golf courses, scenic parks, fresh lakes and rivers and tennis and racquetball courts. Hiking and biking trails are great for embarking on an adventure to explore lovely Lakeland.

Known as the "Black Bass Capital of the World," Polk County has more than 600 scenic freshwater lakes, rivers and phosphate pits that provide natural havens for record-setting large mouth bass. For salt water activities, it is an easy drive to the Gulf of Mexico. A fishing license is required for both fresh and salt water fishing. Licensing locations can be obtained by calling the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (863-648-3203).

A choice selection of 29 golf courses are located in Polk County. Some of these are public, such as Cleveland Heights. Others are private and include Grasslands, The Club at Eaglebrooke, Highlands Fairways and the nationally acclaimed Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort near Haines City. Polk County hosts a number of nationally recognized golf tournaments annually. The PGA Cadillac Open and PGA Tour Qualifying Finals are played at Grenelefe, while the Lakeland ClassicNike Tour takes place at Grasslands. Also, The Club at Eaglebrooke hosts both the Eaglebrooke Lakeland FUTURES Classic and the Lakeland Hooters Classic. To find out the latest golf news, obtain a copy of the new golf guide, containing a listing and photographs of area golf facilities, call the Chamber (863-688-8551) or Polk County Sports Marketing (863-534-4370). Outstanding tennis facilities with all the amenities provide tennis instruction at many area clubs and municipal establishments and several tennis leagues meet regularly to play competitively in Lakeland.

The Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department (863-834-6035) offers tennis and swimming programs along with softball, basketball and soccer leagues. In addition, Lakeland residents can participate in dance, theater and writing programs. The department maintains a total of 49 parks, including baseball fields, lake front picnic areas and an in-line hockey rink for use by the public. The City of Lakeland also has 32 tennis courts, eight racquetball courts, and numerous bicycle trails available. Maps of the trails can be obtained by calling the Chamber (863-688-8551) or Polk County Sports Marketing (863-534-4370).

At the Lakeland Family YMCA (863-644-3528), parents and children alike enjoy athletic activities such as racquetball, gymnastics and swimming in an Olympic-sized pool. A variety of classes are offered in the multi-purpose gymnasium and the wellness center. Child-care facilities are provided and summertime activities include special snorkeling, camping and other planned outings.

To obtain a free Outdoor Recreation Guide containing up-to-date information on boat ramps, bass guide services and other sports-related activities and facilities, call the Chamber (863-688-8551) or the Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau (800-828-7655).

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Spectator Sports and Annual Events

Sports fans have a place in Lakeland. The Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, the Kansas City Royals in Baseball City, and the Cleveland Indians in Winter Haven are all Major League Baseball teams which conduct their spring training in Polk County. Many of the pre-season games also take place here.

The Lakeland Center is the training location of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning. Also, two of the Lightning's exhibition games against other NHL teams occur at the Center annually.

The Lakeland Center also draws teams, fans and media from all over the state during the first week of March each year to observe the Florida High School Athletic Association's (FHSAA) "Florida Finals" Boys' and Girls' State Basketball Tournament. For information, contact The Lakeland Center's box office at (863-499-8111).

A wide variety of sporting events are offered at Florida Southern College. The baseball, basketball and golf teams of FSC have been recognized nationally by several NCAA Division II championships.

Professional and college sports alike are available in the Lakeland region. The NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NBA Orlando Magic are nearby, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays play their regular season games at St. Petersburg's domed Tropicana Field. For college sports action, the University of South Florida has the newly established Bulls football team that plays at Tampa Stadium.

In Lakeland, the USA International Speedway (863-984-3173) hosts eight to 10 major racing events annually. The 100-lap Hooters Formula Cup Series and the AC Delco Challenger Series continue to thrill area racing enthusiasts. The oval racetrack is three-quarters of a mile long and is designed to accommodate up to 30,000 fans. The Daytona International Speedway is also not far away.

The annual Orange Cup Regatta is held on Lake Hollingsworth each year in early March when hydroplane boats compete on a five-mile course. A tradition since 1937, more than 100 boats in different classes participate. The course is considered one of the best in the country for spectators because they can follow the action from all spots along the lake. In addition, the racing venue for the UIM World Hydroplane Championship, Cypress Gardens, is also nearby.

In October, the U.S.T.A. Women's Challenger of Lakeland is held at ImperiaLakes Golf and Racquet Club and presents a chance to see first-class tennis matches.

Throughout the year, there are a number of annual festivals and fairs. The nation's second largest convention, the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, is held in mid-April at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. Aviation enthusiasts come from all over the world to witness the innovative aircraft displays and the air shows that are performed by some of the world's top exhibition pilots. Over 600,000 aviation hobbyists gather to observe air shows and aircraft displays and to attend forums and lectures.

On Mother's Day weekend, Mayfaire by-the-Lake, a juried art festival, is sponsored by the Polk Museum of Art on the shores of Lake Morton. In September, the Fall Festival gets underway at Munn Park where participants join together in a sidewalk arts and crafts celebration. Munn Park also plays host to the Snowfest in December, with a snow mountain in addition to an intriguing display of crafts.

The Downtown Lakeland Partnership, an association committed to supporting advertising, special events and more for the purpose of bringing visitors to the downtown area, hosts an annual "Holiday Walkabout." Held in early December, the walkabout is an invitation for holiday shoppers to take part in a downtown retailers' open house. Held amid a Dickens-like setting of holiday lighting and music, the walkabout draws hundreds each year.