At a glance
| Location | Inside the City of Plant City, Hillsborough County |
|---|---|
| Size | About 2,000 acres (state review, August 2025) |
| Security | Guardhouse at one entrance, automatic gates at four others; gated 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. |
| Association | Walden Lake Community Association collects dues and runs security |
| Former golf courses | About 320 acres, closed; owned by Walden Lake LLC |
| Plant City typical value | $340,391 (Zillow, August 2026, down 1.2%) |
How Walden Lake is run
Walden Lake is a master-planned residential community of about 2,000 acres in Plant City. A state-commissioned performance review published in August 2025 describes two layers:
- The Walden Lake Community Association, a homeowners association that collects dues and special assessments from property owners and operates security.
- A Local Government Neighborhood Improvement District, whose board is the Plant City City Commission. It delegates its powers to the association and did not raise revenue during the review period, though it has authority to levy up to 2.0 mills or special assessments.
The community has a guardhouse at one entrance and automatic gates at four others. Gates stay open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are staffed overnight. The association's reported guardhouse costs rose from $138,252 in 2021 to $163,158 in 2024. Ask the association for the current dues, what they cover and whether any special assessment is planned.
What is happening on the former golf courses
Walden Lake was built around golf, and the two courses shaped many lots and views. The courses closed after the club ran into financial trouble, and local coverage in October 2024 described them as closed for about 12 years, with overgrown vegetation, debris and deteriorating clubhouse, pool and tennis structures. City code enforcement led to some mowing and debris removal.
In September 2023 the owner, Walden Lake LLC, submitted a plan under Florida's Live Local Act for about 1,530 multifamily units and 468 townhome-style units on about 319 acres, with at least 40% set aside as affordable housing. The city refused to consider the preliminary plat, citing zoning, and the owner filed a complaint for declaratory relief in November 2023. Coverage in October 2024 noted that the property's condition had put off some buyers in the surrounding neighborhood.
If you are buying in Walden Lake, especially on a former fairway, treat the outcome as unknown. Ask your agent or attorney for the current status of the case and any new plans, and visit the view from the back of the home.
Home values
Zillow does not publish a separate Walden Lake value. Plant City's typical home value was $340,391 in August 2026, down 1.2% on the year. Compare any Walden Lake home with recent closed sales in the same section, and look at whether homes backing onto the former course sold at a discount to similar homes elsewhere in the community. See the Plant City ZIP code guide for area values.
What to check before you buy
- Current association dues, reserves and any special assessment, plus sub-association fees if the home is in a separate village or section.
- The status of the golf course litigation and any development application.
- Whether the lot backs onto the former course, and what you can see from the house today.
- Roof, HVAC and plumbing ages and permits. See our Florida home inspection checklist.
- Flood zone and drainage, especially for lots near water.
- School assignment from Hillsborough County Public Schools for the specific address.
For newer homes elsewhere in the city, see new construction in Plant City, and weigh the wider pros and cons in is Plant City a good place to live.
Common questions
Is Walden Lake in Plant City gated?+
Yes, overnight. According to an August 2025 state review, Walden Lake has a guardhouse at one entrance and automatic gates at four others. The gates stay open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are operated by security staff overnight. The Walden Lake Community Association runs the security program.
What happened to the Walden Lake golf course?+
The two golf courses closed after the club's financial problems and had been closed for about 12 years by October 2024. In 2023 the owner proposed about 1,530 multifamily and 468 townhome-style units on about 319 acres under Florida's Live Local Act. The city refused to consider the plan, and the owner sued in November 2023.
How big is Walden Lake?+
Walden Lake is a master-planned community of about 2,000 acres within the City of Plant City, according to an August 2025 state performance review. The former golf courses account for about 320 acres of that total. The Walden Lake Community Association operates the gates, guardhouse and security cameras.