Gator activity closes trail at Circle B Bar Reserve

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Gator activity has once again forced a portion of a popular nature reserve in Lakeland to close to the public.

Polk County officials announced Friday that most of the Alligator Alley Trail at Circle B Bar Reserve would be shut down due to alligator nesting season. Officials say this is for the safety of both the alligators, and the human visitors to the park.

Julie Davidson and her family traveled from Northern Ireland to visit the park. She understands why the trail was shut down.

"We were there the other day," Davidson told Fox 13. "There were lots of gators growling and stuff, so we just walked pretty quickly past."

There is no timetable for when the trail will reopen.

Tabitha Biehl, Environmental Lands Stewardship Coordinator for Polk County, says it will be closed for at least two months.