The site of an open-pit phosphate mine until the early 1980s, this reclamation project borders the Peace River floodplain, where a boardwalk originally wound through the floodplain forest out to the river.
This park is south of Kissingen Spring, once one of Florida’s major springs and swimming holes pumping more than 20 million gallons a day.
It stopped flowing in 1950 as the flow of the Peace River dropped precipitously with the increase of phosphate mining in the area.
The spring is commemorated with a historic marker ironically obfuscating the true cause of why it ceased to flow.
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Overview
Location: Fort Meade
Trailhead: 27.821817, -81.804433
Address: 2200 CR 640 (Homeland-Garfield Road), Bartow
Fees: Free
Restroom: Yes
Land Manager: Polk County
The park is open dawn to dusk. Park at the pull off by the picnic tables or continue to the parking area at the top of the hill. There is a restroom at the parking area.
Directions
From US 17 south of Lakeland, take CR 640 east, following Great Florida Birding Trail signs for a mile to park entrance on left before the bridge over the Peace River.
Hike
Unfortunately, since our last visit, the boardwalk has fallen into disrepair and is blocked off at all access points. After a quarter mile, the boardwalk ended at a peaceful spot under the cypresses on the Peace River.
What remains? A few picnic benches and restrooms adjoining the closed-off boardwalk. However, if you continue up the steps or drive to the end of the park drive, there’s more.
A series of worn paths circle a hilltop above the upper parking lot, the piles left behind after phosphate mining. Once you ascend from the parking area, pick a route.
Everything is out in the open. No native plantings were added after the transfer of this property to the county, so what you see is largely invasive species, including a lot of cogongrass.
Minus the boardwalk, it’s no longer a compelling hiking destination except for exercise and dog walking on the hilltop. The county reports over 7 miles of pathways, but we found no map outlining where they go.
Explore More!
Nearby Adventures
Fort Meade Recreation Area Anchoring two linear trails along the Peace River, this wayside park off US 98 in Fort Meade has been a destination for river access for decades.
Peace River Park Greenway With river views near its ends, a graded 2.5 mile linear path in Fort Meade follows a slender strip of public land parallel to the east shore of the Peace River. 
Peace River Hammock Walk softly through the immersive Peace River floodplain beneath enormous trees to a scenic bluff along the river where paddlers can come ashore.
Paynes Creek Historic State Park Straddling the former treaty boundary of Seminole lands, this interpretive site along the Peace River features a network of trails tied together by a swinging footbridge. 
- Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park - November 3, 2026
- A.J. Henry Park - November 1, 2026
- Okeeheelee Nature Center Trails - October 22, 2026