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The Circle B Bar Preserve and Wetland Enhancement Project lies on a 1,267-acre tract of land that was formally the home to a large commercial cow pasture. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners purchased the parcel with financial assistance from the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The parcel plays a key role in the preservation efforts of the Upper Peace River/Lake Hancock watershed.

The pasture was formerly wetland area that was drained by the Banana Lake Canal, which was constructed in the 1940’s. This canal, along with the connecting of ditches and the use of pumps, removed the majority of surface water and marshland environments along the canal. The purpose of this land purchase was to bring back the natural habitats to the northeast of Lake Hancock and provide the ability to store more water for use in the Upper Peace River Basin.

Madrid Engineering Group, Inc. (MEG) was contracted through Keith & Schnars, P.A. to perform a geotechnical investigation studying permeability of the subsurface soils within the Circle B Bar Preserve. MEG was also contracted to perform a foundation investigation for a boardwalk connecting buildings and habitats to the new Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at Circle B Bar Reserve. The Discovery Center will provide information and discovery opportunities about Polk County’s unique water, wildlife and wilderness resources, as well as the associated cultural heritage and nature-based recreation opportunities on environmental lands in Polk County.

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