In March, 2011, Green Horizon Land Trust accepted the donation of a 42-acre parcel containing a mix of native and exotic ornamental plants reflecting Polk County's horticultural heritage. On February 18, 2013 the gates opened for the public. The property now hosts a community park with a 1.4 mile trail named in honor of Luther Parrott, past executive director of Green Horizons, complete with picnic facilities.
Donated by Talbot Lewis, the property is adjacent to Orchid Springs at the edge of Winter Haven. Over 40 years Lewis collected and planted ornamental plants from throughout the state and placed them within a landscape he designed, including one of the largest collections of Chinese fan palms in the world. He also planted most of the other palms that will grow in Central Florida.
Lewis provided Green Horizon with a detailed map of the property, including the locations of each plant and its common and Latin names as well as how the plants were used during the Depression. The property is named the "Michael V. Lewis Arboretum" in honor of Tal Lewis' son.
THINGS TO SEE: In addition to ornamentals, see native trees such as magnolias, oaks and persimmon as well as at least six species of ferns, large stands of bamboo, terrestrial orchids and other plants.
NOTE: Trails can be very wet after heavy rains. Beware of anthills.
Cache is placed with permission from Rachelle Selser, Executive Director
HIKE: 1.5 mile loop trail
This is a Letterbox Hybrid cache. For anyone not familiar with Letterboxing, there is a log in the cache for you to sign and stamp (with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp that is in the cache). If you do not have your own stamp, then stickers or hand drawn artwork are acceptable or if you do not have your own stamp, you can just sign the log. DO NOT TAKE THE STAMP WITH YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails 2023-2024 program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is not required to log this cache.
New validation game cards that participants stamp are available at various locations and are listed on the Friends of the Parks website and OUTPOST 27 CACHE. Trek Ten Trails 2023-2024 program maps, game cards, and other information about each of the featured nature trails may be downloaded from the Friends of the Parks website. Check out our Profile for more details.