Winter Haven News Chief, 9/3/2000

There is much to be excited about in Winter Haven these days: community redevelopment agencies; downtown revitalization; the Citi Centre project; the visioning process; a new police station and library; and other initiatives.

Such projects generally involve a host of city officials, community leaders and consultants who spend months seeking input, planning and working out the details of funding and implementation. The work will take years to complete but will be well worth the wait.

Meanwhile, longtime Winter Haven resident Mary Mooty has her own vision for the city -- to make it a more beautiful place. Her plan is to create a park near the Women's Club on Lake Howard Drive, planting trees and flowers that burst with color. And the 87-year-old former university arts professor is donating $100,000 to make it happen.

Mooty came to Winter Haven in 1921 and grew up here, graduating from Winter Haven High School. She taught for 21 years at Florida State University before retiring in 1978, when she returned here to care for her parents.

She says she wants the park to inspire others to help make the city more beautiful. Such a generous act could hardly do otherwise.