A brief history of Orange County Parks and Recreation

From Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

In 1924, Wilbur and Rose Warren donated eight acres to Orange County, creating the County's first public park. By 1943, Orange County families donated additional acres of land on behalf of establishing parks. In 1973, Parks and Recreation was officially established by the Board of County and Commissioners. In 1985, The Department's focus changed to include recreation programs, reflecting urbanization going on in the County.

The mission of Orange County Parks and Recreation is to “provide and preserve quality parks and recreation”.

Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson

Today, Orange County Parks and Recreation has 100 parks, trails, and special Facilities, an astonishing growth in a number of parks from just 21 parks in 1990. Orange County Parks and Recreation also consists of 11 public boat ramps, 51 miles of trail, totaling over 14,712.4 Overall acres. Annually, the parks see approximately 12 visitors. The park employs 288 full-time staffs and has a $34.28 million total operating budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal years.

Orange County Parks and Recreation offers many different recreational programs ranging from Environmental Programs, Youth Athletics, Adult Athletics, Dog parks, Recreation Centers, Trails, and Parks Rentals and fees.

The Vera Carter Environmental Center at Tibet-Butler Preserve is located southwest of Orlando near the major Central Florida attractions. Vera Carter, former Orange County Commissioner from 1980 to 1992 has been a vital supporter of the protection of Central Florida’s environment. She has led many quests to improve and preserve Orange County’s vast resources. The Vera Carter Environmental Center stands as a tribute to the impact of her efforts.

The Vera Carter Environmental Center houses exhibit areas that include interpretations of the Preserve’s natural resources including wetlands, uplands, and fire ecology.

Live exhibits are often displayed and various activities revolve around the Center’s amphitheater and classroom. Their wildlife experts invite you to come share Florida’s natural beauty and experience nature hands-on. We welcome schools and groups of all sizes and ages and are happy to set up individual programs.

For more information, contact them at:

Tibet-Butler Preserve

8777 CR 535 Orlando, Fl 32836

(407) 254-1940

Orange County Parks and Recreation offers many different athletic programs for youth. Some of the sports offered are basketball, Flag Football, and Hockey. Although Soccer and Baseball are not offered through Orange County directly, Orange County partners with different organizations to make it possible. For Adult Athletics, they offer A&A softball, Cricket, Flag Football, and Soccer. For more information on signing up for either youth or adult athletics, contact Parks and Rec at:

Orange County Parks and Recreation

Barnett Park Main Office

4801 W. Colonial Dr.

Orlando, FL 32808

Phone: (407) 836-6200

Email: parks@ocfl.net

Phone: (407) 836-6200

Parks' Events InfoLine: (407) 836-6280

Events Listed on Facebook: Orange County, Florida

Twitter: @OrangeCoParksFL

Orange County also has Dog friendly parks spread across the county. These leash-frees parks also have water fountains and poop stations and providing a safe place for dogs and owners. Below are the listed dog friendly parks.

West Orange Dog Park

12400 Marshall Farms Road Winter Garden, FL 34787

(407) 656-3299

Downey Dog Park

10107 Flowers AV. Orlando, FL 32825

(407) 254-9180

Meadow Woods Dog Park

1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle Orlando, FL 32824

(407) 858-4725

Barber Park Dog Park

3701 Gatlin AV Orlando, FL 32812

(407) 249-6102

Barnett Park Dog Park

4801 W. Colonial DR Orlando, FL 32808

(407) 836-6248

Dr. Phillips Dog Park

8249 Buenavista Woods BLVD Orlando, FL 32836

(407) 254-9045

Yucatan Dog Park

6400 Yucatan DR Orlando, Fl 32807

(407) 254-9160

Summerport Dog Park

14491 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd. Windermere, FL 34786

(407) 656-3299

Orange County Parks and rec has six different recreation centers. Fitness Centers can be joined for just $100 per year or you can join an affordable fitness class. Below is a list of the centers and their location and phone numbers.

Barnett Park & Gym (407) 836-6248 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32808

Goldenrod Park Recreation Center (407) 254-9025 4863 N. Goldenrod Rd., Winter Park, FL 32792

Meadow Woods Recreation Center (407) 254-9065 1751 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orlando, FL 32808

Silver Star Recreation Center (407) 254-9250 2801 N. Apopka-Vineland Rd., Orlando, FL 32818

South Econ Recreation Center (407) 254-9092 3800 S Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32829

West Orange Recreation Center (407) 254-9245 309 S. West Crown Point Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787

There are also opportunities to rent different amenities:

RENT A MEETING ROOM

Meeting rooms are available as rentals at all five Orange County Orlando Magic Recreation Centers, Marks Street Senior Center and the Renaissance Senior Center at South Econ Community Park. Meeting rooms are also available at: Barnett Park/Barnett Gym, Bear Creek Recreation Complex, Cypress Grove Park, Orlo Vista Park, Tibet-Butler Preserve, and Capehart Park.

Contact individual parks for help renting a meeting room.

RENT A SPORTS FACILITY

Sports fields for your league can be rented through Orange County Parks. Orange County Parks have multi-purpose fields at 15 parks, softball fields at four parks, baseball fields at eight parks, soccer fields at seven parks, and indoor gyms at six parks.

District 2 has over 17 parks which are located in Orlando, Apopka, Mount Dora and Tangerine, FL. One of our most popular parks are Kelly Park and Magnolia Park. Kelly Park is located at 400 E Kelly Park RD Apopka, FL 32712. At Kelly Park you and the entire family can participate in tubing and swimming at Kelly Park Rock Springs. This free-flowing natural spring is 68 degrees year round. On site you may enjoy a playground, full-service concession, picnic pavilions and Tents or RV camping. For those interested in trails and birding then Magnolia Park will become a family favorite. Magnolia Park is located at 2929 S. Binion Rd. Apopka, FL 32703 and features the Lake Apopka Loop Trail which is 14.6 miles long.

Below is a complete listing of the parks in our District including their exact address and contact number, as well as a visual map of Apopka showing where the parks are located. Also, below are the expenditures and revenue sources for our Orange County Parks and Recreation Division. For further details regarding the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year for Orange County go here.