TAVARES' WOOTON WONDERLAND TO BE REPLACED

First it was the 30-year-old wooden castle in Mount Dora’s Gilbert Park.   Now another Lake County city has announced it will also be replacing its landmark playground. Tavares’ expansive wooden fort in downtown Wooton Park was built in 1985 and is at the end of its lifespan.  

The City of Tavares’ goal is to build upon the success of the existing lakefront playground, dubbed Wooton Wonderland, and provide a safe, ADA compliant and fun children’s playground, according to John Drury, Tavares City Administrator.    

Before any dates are set, The CIty of Tavares must first develop a budget, identify a source of funding and send out a Request for Proposals (RFP).  Each proposal will provide creative features for the new playground that could include a seaplane, train and boat to play off the city’s current attractions.    

Once a firm is selected, the process to rebuild the playground can begin, but demolition isn’t expected for a year or two, according to Drury.  

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Get info on Gilbert Park's new playground