I headed over to this park located in the middle of a residential area on what started to be a…read moresunny Sunday morning. Of course, minutes after getting there the sky opened up and the rain fell on a torrential downpour as I began a pleasant stroll through a wooded area. As i write this (or i guess type this) i am under a gazebo as the rain falls in a somehow righteous indignation. For my few minutes here, so far seems very nice. There are a couple of guys out in boats fishing. I am sure they're about as loving just as much as I am. There's a nice play area for children, as well as a volleyball pit. A restroom and water fountains just add to the overall positive experience. Oh, and we cannot forget about this much-needed gazebo. While it is not huge, it is on a nice piece of property and I am sure it serves this neighborhood very well. This is the kind of park that will live with you and your memories for the rest of your life

Prairie Lake Park is very peaceful and enjoyable. It has a children's playground, pavilions…read more,walking path, picnic areas, bathrooms, volleyball, basketball and fishing. It is a clean and well maintained park. You can rent the pavilion for private gatherings and parties. All day rental is $75.00 and half day is $50.00. The park hours are 8am to sunset. The playground is fenced in. This especially convenient since it is next to Prairie Lake. There are big beautiful shade trees surrounding the playground. The playground has play equipment for child from 3 years to 12 years old. There are lots of fun things to do for the entire family.

A natural playground! We couldn't get enough of the huge trees, nature-based playground, and…read moreexpansive trails. It was the perfect place to explore for kids and adults alike! It's dog-friendly, so we can't wait to return with our leashed pups! We stumbled upon the old country club building and other structures, and it was fun learning the history behind the area. Can't wait to return! Note: plenty of parking, but police was waiting by the gate when we left 15 minutes to close, so be mindful of open hours!

One of the cutest playgrounds around! The entire area is shaded by trees, giving it this true…read morewoodsy, outdoorsy vibe. The playground has so much to do for all ages. The area is clean and very well-maintained. I love that everything is made of wood so nothing gets overly hot to the touch. My son easily spent two hours here without getting bored.

John's Lake Conservation Area is a hidden gem in Winter Garden. The signage is unassuming and the…read moreentrance gives no clue to the adventure that awaits. It's old Florida in every aspect. You have to be alert to spiders, snakes and alligators The trail gets seasonally flooded. The fire ants are everywhere. No bathroom is provided. I definitely don't think that you should with your small dog or children. There is a nice dock and small boat, canoe or kayak launch. They have picnic tables under big beautiful shade trees. There is a pavilion that can be rented.

This area is pretty desolate, consisting mostly of knee-high weeds and scrub. There is a fishing…read morepier and parking area, as well as a mowed path through the weeds that goes down to some water, but the path is as often flooded as dry. Winter is the best time to walk the path. Dogs are allowed, but letting them run free near the water could be dangerous. The law is probably to keep all dogs leashed. There are only three stands of trees, one of which has some picnic tables. Otherwise, you'll need sunscreen, a hat, water and maybe bug spray. No restrooms.

Booked this beautiful river trip for my daughter's birthday gift, the experience exceeded our…read moreexpectations. Nigel was our gifted guide.. eased us into paddling skills and techniques, very knowledgeable on the history of Kings Landing, as well as the spring water origins. Will definitely revisit in the future!

I reserve two single kayaks a week before I wanted to try this place. Emails and directions are…read morevery clear. When I arrived staff was helpful and guiding me along the way so that I could see otters. It was a very quick process to get in the water, but it did get crowded toward midday and on the way back in. I would highly recommend clothes that can get wet, bringing snacks and water and a hat or sunglasses. A dry bag if you have it but if you want one, they do sell them where you check in.

Shadow Bay Park is a rare slice of florida's natural landscape. Formerly known as Lake Cane Marsha…read morePark, Shadow Bay Park is a 111 acre natural area preserve and park tucked into Southwest Orlando. Despite being surrounded by busy roads and urban development, the park protects a rare and biologically rich remnant of Florida's ancient sand pine scrub ecosystem, preserving a small piece of old Florida in the middle of the city. The park straddles an ancient shoreline associated with the Lake Wales Ridge, one of Florida's most important areas for rare and native plants and animals. Its diverse landscape includes rosemary scrub, xeric oak scrub, longleaf pine forest, wetlands, and four ponds, creating a variety of habitats for wildlife. It is one of the last remaining urban scrub habitats in Orange County and provides an important refuge for several rare and endangered native species. Shadow Bay Park is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a statewide network of more than 500 wildlife-viewing sites. The northern portion of the park, especially the trails between Lupine Pond and Woodland Pond, offers some of the best birding opportunities. Depending on the season, visitors may spot Blue-headed Vireos, House Wrens, Eastern Phoebes, Yellow-throated Warblers and Indigo Buntings. The ponds attract Limpkins, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers and Mottled Ducks, while Glossy Ibis and, occasionally, American Bitterns make appearances. Keep an eye on the sky for Ospreys and Cooper's Hawks, both of which nest within the park. I enjoyed exploring the trails throughout the park. A paved walkway and separate unpaved footpaths wind through the landscape. In the sandy trails through the rosemary scrub, you can find rare plants such as scrub lupine and threatened gopher tortoises. During migration season, you may see species such as Magnolia Warblers, Ovenbirds, Eastern Wood-Pewees and Baltimore Orioles pass through the oak area of the park. In addition to wildlife watching, the park offers plenty for active visitors and families. These include basketball and pickleball courts, softball fields, a fitness path, fishing areas around Shadow Bay Pond and a playground. The Lake Cane Tennis Center has been part of the park since 1986, when Orange County partnered with MG Tennis to operate the facility. Over the years, it has grown into a major Central Florida tennis destination and tournament hub. What I appreciate most about Shadow Bay Park is that it preserves an important part of Florida's original landscape while the surrounding communities continued to grow. It is a rare ecological refuge hiding in plain sight. Come for the trails, birding, wildlife, recreation or just for a peaceful escape from the surrounding city. This is a park worth exploring.

I absolutely love this public park. It has an excellent layout, a fantastic location, and is one of…read morethe most complete parks in the area. The playground is fun and feels safe for kids. There's also a pier where you can watch turtles and fish, which my children absolutely love every time we visit. If you enjoy being active, there's a scenic trail that's great for walking, running, or biking. The park also features basketball and baseball courts, picnic shelters for BBQs and birthday parties, clean restrooms, and plenty of parking spread throughout the different areas, making it easy to access everything. The real highlight of the park, though, is its tennis complex. Even though I don't personally use it, it's clearly the centerpiece of the park, with more than 10 tennis courts, excellent facilities, kids taking lessons, and tournaments happening regularly. If you're a tennis fan or looking to get into the sport, this is one of the best public places in the area. Overall, it's a fantastic park for families, sports lovers, or anyone looking to spend a relaxing day outdoors.

Newton Park is a beautiful park overlooking Lake Apopka. Shortly after we arrived we were informed…read morethat there was a 10 foot alligator nearby. We decided to stay clear of that area where the gator was spotted. Tanner Hall, located on the park grounds, is an event venue available for rent. As we walked by, we were greeted by members of a family who had arrived for a reunion party that was being held in the hall. There is also a smaller building, Little Hall, that is available for rent. While some came by cars and trucks, others came by golf carts. Some children played on the playground while one child fished. An ice cream truck drove by the park playing that familiar tune that calls and lures children and those wanting a treat. What a sweet way to enjoy an afternoon at the park.

Large park with multiple trails for bikes, walking and dog walking. There are dog bins for waste,…read morebathrooms and a boardwalk! Very cool place to check out!

Bill Breeze Park is a great overall park with a pleasant water view of the lake…read more They do have designated parking and while it predominantly is just the lake and not so much a traditional park, it has a pleasant enough vibe. I would definitely recommend a visit to Bill Breeze Park.

I went to this park for a food event on Thursday. While there a nice parking lot, parking can be…read moredifficult during events. I parked in the back and walked a little to the park for the event. At least parking was free. I only went to the venue area near the city hall, which was spacious and very clean. I didn't go to the lake area, but it looked nice and I think you can fish there as well. I think there was a playground too, but it was a while since I last remembered. I do like the fountain in the pond not to far from city hall. While I only visited this park for an event, it looks to be a nice park to walk near the lake, go fishing, or playing in the field. Overall: B+

We love this hidden jewel for boating and jet skiing. I like the fact that this park is clean and…read morehas a beautiful beach to pull your boat/jet ski up to and a large sandy area for swimming. There is a sidewalk, picnic tables, a large grass parking area for trailers, and a wide grassy bank for setting up chairs, umbrellas, etc. Another BIG plus: bathrooms! And they flush!! The lake is not as large as some but there are usually less people than at many other Central Florida ski lakes so it makes it nice. It is great for skiing but you can also find a quiet spot for fishing because there is a small canal leading to another even less busy lake. They do have a fishing pier too. They just finished a renovation on the ramp (a double) so it is even nicer than before. The people who use the lake are often times more courteous than at many other, more popular lakes.

Windermere Recreational Center is small and during the week days very quiet and peaceful. There is…read morea tennis court, small green space, pier and a couple of gazebos. My favorite spot is the dock. The water is relaxing and you can go into it or sit and watch it slowly move.

This park is one of Windermere's best kept little secrets. Upon entering, it might not look like…read moremuch, but the park is quite big. There's plenty of parking in a parking lot right up front. There is a brand new fenced in playground that is shaded by large trees. There are tennis and sand volleyball courts. There are also multiple pavilions and a restroom. Walk down to the lake. Many people fish off the covered dock. In the evening there are lots of rabbits out by the trees. Be on the lookout for a variety of different bird species.

Justin was very patient and helpful with my family for our first fishing trip. Even though it was…read morecold my boys loved every bit of their trip and have not stopped talking about their experience. We will definitely be coming back and would 100% recommend Makin Big Bass memories for your next fishing trip. Thank you again Justine for helping to make my son's birthday a memorable one.

Absolutely a must do when in the Orlando area. Justin took us on the 7-9am launch and wow did we…read morecatch fish!! This dude knows his fishing!!!