In this forward-thinking episode of Listen Lakeland, host Trinity Laurino, Executive Director of Lakeland Now, is joined by two distinguished visionaries shaping the future of our region—Ana Wood-Rogers and David Bunch. With decades of leadership between them, Ana and David explore what makes Lakeland a “textbook city,” discussing long-range planning, infrastructure, civic identity, and community collaboration.

From Ana’s development of a 150-year solid waste management framework to David’s insights into unifying Polk County’s 17 municipalities, this conversation shines a light on the importance of visionary leadership and long-term thinking. The guests also delve into the concept of shared values across communities, the challenges of rapid population growth, and the need for accessible infrastructure—highlighting a bold proposal to replace a key railway overpass to improve connectivity near Bonnet Springs Park.

This episode is a call to action for residents, leaders, and planners to think not just about today, but about what Lakeland and Polk County will look like 100 years from now.

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🎧 Listen Lakeland is a collaborative project by Lakeland Vision, the City of Lakeland, and Hall Communications, dedicated to providing an exceptional quality of life for all residents.