August 2025

 

Learning Lakeland:

Civic Exploration Gets a Fun, Fresh Look

The City of Lakeland has officially launched Learning Lakeland, a youth engagement initiative introducing children to local government and public services through five animated characters: Morty the Swan, Toby the Turtle, Ollie the Otter, Blinky the Alligator, and Polly the Butterfly.


These “Learning Lakeland Explorers” lead themed activity guides covering topics like traffic safety, water conservation, and Lakeland’s lake systems. The free printable booklets are designed for children ages 4–11 and are perfect for home, classrooms, and community events.


Coming later this year is Learning Lakeland: A Passport to Your City, where kids can collect stamps and become “Official Lakeland Explorers.”
Meet the Explorers

Toby’s Water Warriors

Same Mission, New Look

It’s the Toby’s Water Warriors you know and love, now with a bright new design and updated videos! Toby the Turtle’s refreshed activity guide still delivers the same great water conservation tips, puzzles, and games, now paired with fresh visuals and engaging clips to bring his mission to life.
Learn More

Dear Lakeland Residents,​


August is a time of fresh starts, from the first day of school to new city initiatives that inspire learning at every age. This month, we’re excited to launch Learning Lakeland, a program designed to help our youngest residents discover how their city works in a fun, engaging way.


Whether you’re a student, parent, educator, or lifelong learner, there’s something for everyone in this issue. Let’s start the school year with curiosity, connection, and community spirit.



Warm regards,​



Shawn Sherrouse

City Manager​

Back to School Library Toolkit

Library Card Sign-Up

Get free access to books, e-books, audiobooks, online learning tools, and more.


Homework Help & Research Tools

Access online databases, encyclopedias, and research guides.


Lakeland Public Library Events Calendar

Find storytimes, teen clubs, STEM workshops, and educational programs.


Study Spaces & Meeting Rooms

Reserve quiet spaces or group study rooms for homework, tutoring, or projects.


Lakeland History & Culture Center

Explore local history resources for school projects.

Featured Stories

East Main Street Resurfacing Starts August 21


Daytime milling and paving on East Main Street from West Lake Bonny Drive to North Longfellow Boulevard is scheduled August 21–26. Expect single‑lane traffic managed by flaggers.
Learn More

Lake Hollingsworth Sewer Cleaning Updated Start August 18


Contractors will clean large‑diameter gravity sewer lines along the lake’s south and east sides. Expect weekday lane shifts and a temporary daily closure of the east‑side multiuse path during work hours for roughly 30 days.
Learn More

Community Spotlight

Bicycle Friendly Community Survey Share Your Input


Help shape Lakeland’s cycling future by completing the League of American Bicyclists’ 2025 Bicycle Friendly Community survey (open through October 5).
Learn More
A graphic banner showing a 747 airplane with the Avelo Airlines logo flying through a clear blue sky. Bold text reads, 'Where will you fly next?' The banner invites viewers to check out flights from Lakeland International Airport with Avelo Airlines.

Storm Season Readiness

Hurricane checklist, outage info, and 2025 Hurricane Guide
Learn More

Solid Waste Collection Schedule

No scheduled service changes in August. Next holiday change is Labor Day on Monday, September 1.
Learn More

Project Updates

Road

Projects

FDOT

Lakeland Projects

Public Works

Projects

Events

🎭 Lakeland Community Theatre – The Great American Trailer Park Musical

  • Type: Musical Comedy
  • Dates: September 12–21, 2025
  • Location: Lakeland Community Theatre, Lake Mirror Theatre
  • Details: A delightfully irreverent musical about a Florida trailer park, love triangles, and a tollbooth collector’s wife with a penchant for drama.


🎶 Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art – AGB Thursdays Concert Series

  • Type: Live Music
  • Dates: August 14 & 21, 2025 | Time: 5:00 p.m.
  • Location: AGB Museum of Art Atrium
  • Details: Enjoy free live jazz and Latin-inspired music in a relaxing gallery setting as part of the AGB Thursdays concert series.


🛍️🎶 RP Funding Center – Classic Albums Live: Bob Marley – Legend

  • Type: Concert
  • Date: Friday, August 22, 2025 | Time: 7:30–9:30 p.m.
  • Location: RP Funding Center, Youkey Theatre
  • Details: Experience Bob Marley’s Legend album performed live, note for note and cut for cut, by Classic Albums Live. 
Illustrated graphic promoting City of Lakeland Swim Lessons. The design features a child swimming at the top surrounded by playful aquatic characters, including a dolphin, rubber duck, seahorse, shark, stingray, and bubbles. Bold text in the center reads 'City of Lakeland Swim Lessons' on a blue, water-textured background.
Logo for the History and Culture Center featuring an elegant swan with a graceful, curved neck.
A bright, playful green graphic with bold, cheerful text that reads, 'PR&CA Programs and classes."
A bright, playful green graphic with bold, cheerful text that reads, 'PR&CA Parks Finder."
Promotional graphic from the City of Lakeland’s Business Resource Office. The text reads: 'Starting a new business? We can help.' Below, it lists: 'City of Lakeland, Community & Economic Development, Business Resource Office.' The right side features a photo tinted in blue of a person working at a desk with business charts and papers. The City of Lakeland logo, featuring a stylized swan, appears at the bottom.

Meeting Minutes

Andrew Gash, with the Communications Department, breaks down the City Commission Meeting in our video series "Meeting Minutes."

Watch Past Episodes

Listen Lakeland

The LakelandGov Podcast aims to produce quality audio content with the goal of having an informed and engaged citizenry.

Watch Past Episodes

Community

Calendar

City Commission

Agenda

Library

Events

Neighborhood Association Coalition

Job

Openings

Listen

Lakeland Podcast
 
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