From Staff Reports
In Summary:
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted Dec. 16 to acquire 26.1 acres of land at Orange Blossom Trail and Sadler Road for a new public park. The site will eventually include athletic fields and recreational amenities designed to serve residents in Apopka, Zellwood, and Tangerine. County officials caution that, while the land purchase is complete, development of the park is expected to take place over the long term.
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Orange County has approved the purchase of 26.1 acres of land for $2.1 million to develop a future public park in northwest Orange County, following a vote by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on December 16th.
Related: Apopka Parks and Recreation Department announces Winter Camp for children during school break.
The property is located at the intersection of Sadler Road and Orange Blossom Trail, with Orange Blossom Trail bordering the west side of the site and Sadler Road along its northern edge. County officials say the land will eventually be developed into a multi-use park designed to serve a growing population in the area.
The planned park will expand recreational opportunities for residents in Apopka, Zellwood, and Tangerine and will add to existing county facilities such as Trimble Park and Magnolia Park. Orange County Parks and Recreation will also consider incorporating aquatic recreational features into the park’s eventual design.
“This is an exciting addition to District 2 because we’ll be able to offer another park to our Northwest residents,” said Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore, who represents the area. “We’re looking at putting in ballfields and space for indoor and outdoor sports activities.”
The planned park will expand recreational opportunities for residents in Apopka, Zellwood, and Tangerine and will add to existing county facilities such as Trimble Park and Magnolia Park. Orange County Parks and Recreation will also consider incorporating aquatic recreational features into the park’s eventual design.
Moore emphasized that the acquisition reflects years of planning tied to population growth in northwest Orange County.
“The new park comes as a result of years of planning,” Moore said. “We project to build amenities in areas where we know the population is growing. Acquiring the land and making sure we have enough willing sellers can take years. I was grateful to be a part of the process.”
In a separate post on social media, Moore noted that while the land purchase is an important step, development of the park is expected to be long-term.
“Happy about this property purchase at OBT and Sadler. Way to go, Orange County Parks,” Moore wrote. “This property is for a future park for fields and athletics. It is likely the park won’t be built for a decade.”
County planning documents indicate the purchase aligns with projections in the 2021 Park Growth Analysis, which identified northwest Orange County as an area expected to continue experiencing residential growth due to major arterial roadways and planned developments. Once developed, the park is expected to support athletic programs, community events, playgrounds, and other recreational uses for the surrounding neighborhoods.
Key Points:
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Orange County approved the $2.1 million purchase of 26.1 acres for a future park in northwest Orange County.
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The property is located at the intersection of Orange Blossom Trail and Sadler Road.
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Planned amenities include athletic fields, indoor and outdoor recreation, and potential aquatic features.
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The park will complement existing nearby facilities such as Trimble Park and Magnolia Park.
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County officials estimate the park may not be built for up to a decade.
