If ranch leaders change their minds and decide to add more teeth, a separate approval by the board would be needed. “We are taking an opportunity to provide an additional entertainment for the guests and also a different type of lodging for the resort areas," Hughes said. "We are looking at opportunities for mostly grazing type of animals - no lions and tigers and bears at this point right now." More growth: Winter Haven Commission approves 207-unit mixed-use development near Lucerne Park RoadĮrika Hughes with consultant VHB represented River Ranch in front of the commission. The new safari addition will be a "sightseeing journey" where customers can "observe non-aggressive grazing animals," according to the application approved by county commissioners. "Westgate River Ranch is in the process of evaluating a safe, family-friendly safari that can provide a natural habitat for non-aggressive species of animals who can enjoy the tremendous amount of space we have available for them to roam freely," the ranch's emailed statement reads. The ranch is owned by Westgate, a timeshare resort company with over 20 locations across the country. The ranch's weekly rodeo has horses and bulls. The small farm has animals such as horses, cows, ponies, mules, goats, sheep, turkeys, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, llamas, peacocks and emus, according to the rodeo's website.
#Westgate river ranch zip#
Westgate is a dude ranch and rodeo that already offers a variety of activities, including horseback riding, airboat rides, archery, zip lining and a petting zoo. "An exotic experience, without ever leaving home!" "Get a taste of the wild, right here, at the ranch!" the sign reads. The sign, located near the entrance to the property, states that the Westgate River Ranch Safari is "stampeding your way soon." However, there is a sign up at Westgate advertising the new safari experience. A spokesperson said no decision has yet been made on whether the ranch is going to move forward with the safari concept, but "Westgate River Ranch is grateful for the overwhelming amount of community support we have received so far for all of the redevelopment projects we have done." In response to a request for comment by The Ledger, Westgate River Ranch emailed a statement but declined to provide additional comment. Around 100 acres of that will be set aside for the new safari experience, if Westgate decides to move forward. In total, the ranch sits on about 1,675 acres. The Polk County Board of County Commissioners recently approved a change to the ranch's Development of Regional Impact zoning to change the golf course to a "safari community." The new usage paves the way for large grazing animals - included in the description are deer, giraffes and water buffalo - as well as "treehouse lodging rooms" and retail uses.ĭevelopment approved: Polk County Planning approves 63 homes on Wilder Road, new residential development in ImperiaLakesĪlso: Polk County commissioners side with developer for 45-home project near Timberlane Road Safari animals may be taking over tee times at Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo.
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