Recreation Facilities improving and expanding!

The Lakeland Soccer Field renovation is almost completed, with the final sod being installed in time for a good grass field by soccer season. Renovations included leveling of the fields and installation of sod.

We especially thank Bobby Winstead of Winstead Turf Farms for donation of the sod for the soccer fields; Chuck Singer of Hard Four Company for installing the sod at a reduced price and Nanette Smith, Lakeland Administrative Coordinator for facilitating donation of the sod and arranging for installation of the sod.

Winstead Turf Farms held a Trade Show at an opportune time, and our thanks to Winstead Turf Farms for donating the sod and assisting in finding a qualified company to install the sod.

NEW SOCCER AND BASEBALL FIELDS: The Lakeland Board of Commissioners recently approved plans for construction of new soccer fields and baseball fields. We expect the administrative matters to be completed by late this fall and hopefully construction can begin by next Spring.

LAKELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AIR CONDITIONING: Additional recreational opportunities will also be available when the Lakeland Elementary School gym is air-conditioned. The City of Lakeland and the Shelby County Schools have an agreement which allows the City to use the gym for recreational programs. Of course, this is subject to the needs of the School System, but this will allow more late Spring and Summer City recreational programs in the gym.

Recycling Schedule

By popular request, the schedule for recycling is being changed back to an “every other week” basis. The first actual date this change will become effective is the “5th Tuesday” in August.

The Tuesday schedule for August will be:

East of Canada Road/North of Hwy 70
July 25, August 8, August 22, & September 5

West of Canada Road
July18, August 1, August 15 & August 29

This will eliminate the problem of the “5th Tuesday” creating problems with accumulations of recycling and confusion as to the recycling schedule. The “every other week” schedule will be posted on the City web page and cable channel 19.

Reports on recycling indicate that Lakeland residents are substantially increasing recycling each month. Keep up the good work and recycle!

Fletcher Trace Construction starting

Construction on Fletcher Trace street and curb improvements is expected to start within the next 25 days. The project is expected to take 120 days. Motorists and pedestrians are urged to be careful during this period and avoid using the street if possible.

Work will include repaving the street, replacement of deteriorated curb and gutter, and “traffic calming” measures to include medians in a few areas (to slow traffic) as well as several “speed humps”. Plans also include changes at several intersections to make the street narrower at intersections and slow traffic.

Bicycle lanes will also be included on each side of the street on most of Fletcher Trace. The bicycle lane will be on the inside of the parking lanes.

Residents who use Fletcher Trace on a regular basis are urged to use Davies Plantation/Highway 64 intersection instead of Fletcher Trace during construction.

Refuse/Yard Waste Schedule

Yard waste (bagged leaves and grass) will now be picked up on the same day as the regular refuse collection. All Star Waste Systems will pick up both the refuse cart and other refuse and bagged leaves and grass on your regularly scheduled day when your cart is picked up.

Loose limbs will be collected the same week as the your recycling. A notice similar to the notice below will be distributed.


NOTICE

NEW YARD WASTE/LIMB SCHEDULE

ALL STAR WASTE SYSTEMS WILL PICK UP ALL REFUSE, YARD WASTE, AND LIMBS ON THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:

Ÿ YARD WASTE (BAGGED GRASS AND LEAVES) WILL BE PICKED UP THE SAME DAY AS YOUR SCHEDULED CART (REFUSE) COLLECTION.

(For example, if your refuse cart is picked up on Monday, your yard waste will be collected Monday also; if your scheduled refuse cart pickup is Thursday, your yard waste will be collected Thursday etc.)

Ÿ LIMBS (LOOSE PILES) WILL BE COLLECTED THE SAME WEEK AS YOUR RECYCLING

This schedule is effective immediately. The City of Lakeland will follow-up until July 26, 2006, on the previous yard waste pickup day schedule to assist in the transition period and insure yard waste is picked up on a timely basis.

Contact the City of Lakeland at 867-2717 if you have any questions or if you set out yard waste on the former schedule and it is not picked up.

This Week-July 9 -July 14, 2006

Lakeland residents are encouraged to attend two important events on Thursday, July 13:

-Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Memberhship Mixer-5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 13 at The Oakland Clubhouse, 10133 Matwood Oak Drive (off of Seed Tick)

Guest Speakers are Tennessee State Senator Mark Norris and Chuck Rychen, TDOT Director, Divison 4. They will discuss the planned renovation of the I-40/Canada Road interchange. All interested are encouraged to attend.

Reservations may be made at the Chamber web site, www.lakelandchamberofcommerce.com. Cost is $10 per member or $20 per guest.

-Political Forum for Shelby County Candidates-7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 13 at the First Baptist Church, 4500 Canada Road.

All Shelby County candidates on the August 3rd election ballot have been invited! This is an excellent chance to hear the candidates and make the important decision of how you will vote on August 3.

Other meetings or events this week:

-6:30 p.m., Monday, July 10, 2006: Lakeland Park and Natural Resources Board, City Hall

-6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2006: Lakeland Design Review Commission, City Hall

-10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 12: Ribbon cutting, Canada Road, Highway 64 and Canada Road

Fletcher Trace Construction to start

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners have approved bids for construction on Fletcher Trace and construction will start in the near future. The project will include reconstruction of the surface and some curbs and some "traffic calming" measures.

The "traffic calming" measures will include short medians at strategic points, as well as extending curbs, several "speed humps" and a bicycle lane on the street surface.

Residents who use Fletcher Trace should plan an alternate route during construction. Construction is expected to last 120 days.

Canada Road, I-40 Interchange to 64 completed (almost)

The widening of Canada Road from I-40 to Highway 64 is almost completed. A small of amount of detail work remains.

The speed limit on this portion is posted at 45 MPH, and it really is the highest safe speed on this portion. Motorists still need to watch for construction crews and be aware that a large number of motorists from residential areas will be turning onto Canada Road.

This project was funded by Shelby County and the City of Lakeland on a 50-50 basis. The City has applied for a grant to provide landscaping and bike paths along each side of Canada Road.

July 4 Childrens Parade

A 11 year tradition continues in Lakeland as the 11th Annual Childrens Parade is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 4 in Fairway Meadows. The parade will gather at 9:30 p.m. at Meadow Green Cove (a block north of Kingsridge on Shadow Green).

This is the type of event which makes a City unique! The parade is limited to children 12 and under and motorized vehicles etc. are not allowed. Contact Mark or Nancy Hartz at 373-8962 for additional information.

July 4 Schedule

City Hall will be closed Tuesday, July 4.

There is no refuse pickup Tuesday, July 4. The rest of the week pickup is delayed one day. If your pickup is Tuesday, trash will be picked up Wednesday, if the scheduled pickup is Wednesday, it will be Thursday etc.. Friday's schedule will be picked up Saturday, July 8.

Recycling will be picked up WEDNESDAY instead of Tuesday. Please remember this is the pickup scheduled for the first Tuesday of the month.