Mayor Hilligoss outlines Lake Wales development priorities including parks and downtown marketing

The City Commission Workshop Meeting held on May 14, 2025, in Lake Wales, Florida, focused on the ongoing implementation of the Lake Wales Connected Plan and various community development initiatives. Mayor Hilligoss opened the meeting by highlighting the progress made thus far while emphasizing the need for continued efforts in several key areas.

The mayor outlined his priorities for the year, which include enhancing landscaping and maintenance through the horticulture department, ensuring they have the necessary resources. He also stressed the importance of continuing the street resurfacing plan, which has seen positive results over the past three years.

In a call for bold actions, Mayor Hilligoss urged for aggressive marketing strategies to promote the downtown area and incentivize hotel development. He noted that this is a historic moment for the city, requiring innovative approaches to activate the downtown space.

The discussion then moved to the implementation of the parks and recreation master plan, which includes the development of a trail network and the expansion of the multimodal trail system. Improvements to water services and increasing pumping capacity were also highlighted as essential for community growth. Additionally, the mayor mentioned the need for expansion and improvement of the local airport.

Commissioner Gillespie expressed her agreement with the mayor's priorities, acknowledging the importance of the work being done to enhance the downtown area. She noted that while the initiatives are significant, clarity on how they will be reflected in the budget is necessary for effective planning.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of these initiatives for the future of Lake Wales, setting the stage for further discussions on budget allocations and implementation strategies in upcoming sessions.