Magnolia Park Eco-Tourism improvements to cost $4.45 Million

Could Apopka transition from the Indoor Foliage Capital of the world to the Eco-Tourism Capital of the world? Find out tonight!

Commissioner Bryan Nelson and the Orange County Parks Division will host a community meeting to discuss plans for Magnolia Park’s new Eco-Tourism Center today, Wednesday, October 19th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The meeting will be held at the lakeside pavilion in Magnolia Park, 2929 South Binion Road, Apopka.

This is the public's opportunity to visualize the proposed improvements that will turn Magnolia Park into the epicenter of Apopka's burgeoning Eco-Tourism industry and to comment on the proposed improvements before the plans are finalized.

A new Eco-Center building. Parking for tour buses. A covered pavilion. A new dock system extending into Lake Apopka to be used for sea plane and airboat rides. A fishing pier and overlook as well as additional docks for law enforcement. Improvements to the existing boat ramp.

More than $4.4 Million will be invested in the 56-acre park on Binion Road which, for four years, has hosted Birdapalooza, a festival celebrating wildlife diversity around Lake Apopka, particularly usual and rare birds.

The Audubon Society has listed Birdapalooza at Magnolia Park as one of its top five winter events in the U.S. for bird-watchers.

Magnolia Park is also a trailhead for the 15-mile Lake Apopka Loop Trail and is only 3 miles from the entrance to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.

"There is lot happening in the area already," County Commissioner Bryan Nelson said. "Plus, the Orlando tourist attractions are less than 45 minutes away."

Nelson envisions the improvements as a first step to bringing airboat tours, bass tournaments and seaplanes to Lake Apopka. Nelson's predecessor, Fred Brummer, launched the effort to make Magnolia Park an Eco-Tourism gateway.

Use this link to see a map of the park showing the proposed improvements.

Questions or RSVP to parks@ocfl.net; visit www.OrangeCountyParks.net or Orange County, Florida’s Facebook events listings. You may contact the Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson, District 2 Office at 407-836-5850.

Use this link to get directions to Magnolia Park.