Lake Wales works to create a vision for the future
In the shadow of the iconic carillon at the Bok Tower Gardens lies Lake Wales, a charming Polk County city of 17,000 with a rich past and a promising future. City leaders here are in the middle of a massive reinvigoration plan, including an $18 million upgrade to the historic downtown, improving walkability and preserving valuable open space. All of this is in line with the vision of Frederick Law Olmstead Jr., the iconic American landscape architect who imagined that Lake Wales could be a living, growing work of art – a city as a garden. “You go downtown and you see the revitalization projects going on, the changes that are being made,” says Karen Boyette, a Realtor with Signature Realty Associates. “It’s really awesome for Lake Wales that people will be able to get around a historic district where more and more little shops are opening up. It’s very exciting.”
In the shadow of the iconic carillon at the Bok Tower Gardens lies the city of Lake Wales.
Lake Wales has seen a massive reinvigoration with an $18 million upgrade to downtown.
The reinvigoration of downtown is the centerpiece of the community’s redevelopment plans.
The gardens at Bok Tower feature many different species of flora, and changes with the seasons.
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Downtown revitalization is key to the city's growth
The reinvigoration of downtown is the centerpiece of the community’s redevelopment plans. Projects include retrofitting streets to make them more pedestrian-friendly and accessible to bike riders and preserving open space that will be connected to downtown via a network of trails. The downtown district is a growing hub of activity that features a collection of local shops and eclectic eateries. Additional shopping and dining destinations are concentrated along several commercial corridors, with the busiest being State Road 60. “You’ve got Manny’s Original Chophouse; Norby’s, which has been around forever; and Crazy Fish, which is really popular,” Boyette says. The Publix-anchored Southgate Shopping Center is located along SR 60 as well.
Olmsted Jr. who designed Bok tower gardens also helped design the downtown district.
Downtown Lake Wales is full of local mom & pop restaurants and shops
The historic Rhodesbilt Arcade building features an array of shops & dining options for guests.
Start your morning off with a fresh cup of coffee and homemade pastry from The Ranch Coffeehouse
Manny’s Original Chophouse is a local favorite in Lake Wales.
Locals flock to Publix Supermarkets for their weekly groceries
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Tourism and citrus anchor the economy
A revitalized downtown will bring more tourism dollars into the city and boost an economy that has traditionally been dependent on the citrus industry. Citrus groves are still found in and around the city, and Florida’s Natural Growers on U.S. Highway 27 is a major employer. The city’s attempts to attract more manufacturing jobs are an effort to diversify the economy. Advanced Drainage System began construction of a state-of-the-art pipe-making facility in May of 2024.
Rolling Citrus groves are still found in and around Lake Wales.
Residents of Lake Wales can enjoy the fragrance of orange blossoms and citrus every spring.
The Citrus giant, Florida’s Natural Growers is one of Lake Wales' major employer.
In 2024 Advanced Drainage System began construction on a new facility in Lake Wales
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Outdoor recreation is a big draw
Recreational opportunities are plentiful throughout the city. Lake Wailes, which retains a different spelling, is the center of recreational activity within the city limits. Joggers and cyclists can take advantage of the paved Lake Wales Park Trail. The city recently received a $282,380 grant for the Tower Boulevard trail project that will connect the trail to Bok Tower Gardens. Other recreational attractions include the Linton Sports Complex, which hosts youth baseball and softball competitions, and the Lake Wales Soccer Complex. Lake Wales Country Club features an 18-hole public golf course and a tennis program for children and adults. The city’s activity extends to community events, including the annual Orange Blossom Review and Pioneer Days festivities. There’s also plenty to do outside the city. “In the unincorporated areas, there are a lot of interesting things like Lake Kissimmee State Park, and there are a lot of lakes in addition to Lake Wailes,” Boyette says.
The nearby River Ranch community provides a popular spot for hunting and camping. The Westgate River Ranch Resort is the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi and a luxury glamping destination. “People like to come here for all the outdoor activities,” Boyette says. “That’s a big draw.” Bok Tower Gardens is a stunning collection of botanical diversity that was a gift from author and philanthropist Edward Bok to the United States for the opportunities it had given him after moving from The Netherlands at age 6. Bok is buried at the base of the tower, whose bells are rung by a professional carillonneur every 30 minutes. A concert of the bells is performed twice daily. The gardens feature an array of native wildlife at a popular gathering place that is more than a tourist attraction. “I have a membership,” Boyette says. “On Sundays, it’s a great place to go and have a picnic. There’s also Hammock Gardens, which is specifically for kids. They have cooking classes where they use herbs from the gardens, and there are events around the holidays. It’s very important to the community.”
Locals get their exercise on the Lake Wailes Trail, which winds 2.5 miles around Lake Wailes.
The Linton Sports Complex hosts youth baseball and softball competitions.
Lake Wales Soccer Complex offers a variety of soccer-related activities.
Lake Wales Country Club features an 18-hole public golf course.
Lake Kissimmee State Park was named one of the best parks in Florida.
Exceptional water sport activities can be found at Lake Wales Park.
A stunning collection of botanical diversity Bok Tower draws thousands from across the U.S.
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Sought-after homes in 55-plus communities
Older homes in a variety of architectural styles are found in walkable neighborhood settings in the heart of the city. Larger homes are found in waterfront settings, golf course settings and on acreage lots in outlying areas. The Lake Ashton 55-plus community features some of the most sought-after housing. Single-family home prices range from the mid-$100,00s to more than $700,000 for lakefront homes. Manufactured homes starting at $60,000 provide an alternative single-family option. Multi-family options include condos and townhouses from the low $100,000s to the high $200,000s. The city’s median sales price is around $300,000. “New construction is going up everywhere, in the outskirts as well as the city proper, but it’s still a good value compared to Lakeland and Winter Haven, which are bigger and more developed,” Boyette says.
Lake Wales if full of eclectic home styles that keep the small town charm.
Larger homes are found in waterfront settings, on large acres of land in Lake Wales.
Manufactured homes starting at $60,000 provide an alternative option for those 55 and older.
Multi-family options include condos and townhomes from the low $100K to the high $200K.
New construction is going up everywhere in the Lake Wales area.
Lake Ashton features some of the most sought-after housing in all of Lake Wales.
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Lake Wales High School partners with Bok Tower Gardens
Students are served by Polk County Public Schools, a district that earns a B from Niche. Lake Wales has its own charter school district, which features the Bok Academy middle school. Lake Wales Senior High School, rated B-plus, benefits from a partnership with Bok Tower Gardens to offer courses focusing on the environment, agriculture and tourism.
Polk Avenue Elementary School is a public school located in Lake Wales, FL.
Edward W. Bok Academy North is an above average public charter school located in Lake Wales, FL.
McLaughlin Middle School is a public school located in Lake Wales, FL.
Lake Wales Senior High School is an above average public school in Lake Wales, FL.
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Several main roads connect the city to Central Florida destinations
Citrus Connection bus stops are found mostly in the city’s established residential areas, concentrated between State Road 60 and Central Avenue. Advent Health Lake Wales is located near SR 60 in the heart of the city. SR 60 provides access to larger communities to the west, including Bartow and Lakeland. Heading north, U.S. Highway 27 leads directly to Haines City, and Scenic Highway 17 leads directly to Davenport. The nearest full-service airport, Orlando International, is about a 40-mile drive up Interstate 4.
Crime
According to FBI data provided by the city's police department, while murders increased, the overall rate of violent crime fell 33 percent from 2022 to 2023. The rate of property crime fell 8 percent during that time.
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Jeffery Palmer
Video By
Nick Seitz
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