Eagle Nest Park is located on Lake Fran, adjacent to the Lake Fran Urban Wetlands and just east of…read morethe historic rural community of Gotha. The Lake Fran Bike Trail runs through the park, making it a nice stop for walkers and cyclists traveling through the area. Eagle Nest Park also serves as a trailhead for the Shingle Creek Trail, adding another reason to stop and explore. The park was established by the City of Orlando and takes its name from the eagles, ospreys, and other birds of prey frequently seen around the lake and wetlands. It features baseball and softball fields, open grassy areas, paved walking paths, picnic pavilions, charcoal grills, restrooms, a playground, benches, drinking fountains, and bicycle racks. One of the highlights for me was the bird watching. The surrounding wetlands attract a variety of wildlife, and you may spot herons, storks, ospreys, eagles, and other waterfowl and raptors. It's a peaceful setting for enjoying nature, even when the park is busy with the recreational activities. There were quite a few people at the park when I visited for football games, but I still enjoyed taking a leisurely walk around Lake Fran. I was actually pleasantly surprised by how much this park had to offer.

If you are looking to catch some rays and get your steps in, this is a great park for long walks…read morewith little to no shade. Wrapping around Lake Fran Urban Wetlands, this park has a lot of beautiful yet peaceful scenery. This would be a great park to visit during colder months due to lack of shade, you can get very hot very quickly doing this trail, yet it's quite easy and enjoyable.

Peghorn Nature Park combines two of my favorite things, history and nature. This beautiful 58 acre…read morepark was established in 1992 by the City of St. Cloud's Parks and Recreation Department to preserve Florida's natural wetlands and protect the area's ecological heritage from encroaching development. The park's unusual name dates back to the early 1900s and honors the local "peghorn" cattle, which were known for their distinctive peg-shaped wooden-looking horns. The park has a Cracker Village, which celebrates St. Cloud's pioneer history. In Florida, the term "cracker" refers to the state's early frontier settlers, particularly cattle ranchers and small farmers. The name is believed to come from the loud crack of the long leather whips these cow hunters used while herding free-range cattle across the Florida prairie. The Cracker Village serves as an open air museum filled with authentic historic buildings and exhibits from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Visitors can explore an old schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, cannery, and other restored structures that offer a glimpse back in time into the daily lives of Florida's early settlers. It's also an educational resource for school groups. Peghorn Nature Park amenities include restrooms, benches, picnic tables with umbrellas, a trailhead center, outdoor classroom, educational center, community gardens, a small playground, bike racks, and paved parking. This park offers Florida history, wildlife, and nature all for free. This was one of my favorite stops in St. Cloud. After exploring the historic village, I headed out to the nature preserve, where you can hike the Blue, Orange, and Green Trails. Several sections of the trails cross boardwalks that wind through nature where you can spot wildlife. During Halloween these boardwalks are transformed into a haunted trail, which sounds like a fun reason to come back.

It's been a long time since I updated this review. Didn't go often last year because it was…read moreliterally under water. Couldn't walk the trail if you tried, though you might have been able to swim it. It's about 40 minutes from my house and the trail is less then a mile anyone. They have an old schoolhouse, a cannery, and a blacksmith building on the premises, so that's pretty cool to see. Once in a while they host pioneer type days, which are fun, but yesterday's was really tiny. Only a couple venders. The blacksmith was there, someone talking about composting, and Shellie's Jellies (best jelly ever! Award winning, great flavors, my fav is the pineapple rum, but all of her jellies are bursting with flavor, except maybe the beauty berry, that one is a bit reserved) The best time of the year to go is Halloween (I'll have to go back and find my pics from last Halloween, insane). Entry is free during the day. Open Mon-Saturday. They have a fright night type of thing Halloween nights, they charge for that If you live close go to see the park often, quiet and relaxing. If you live a little further like me, at least go for Halloween! Oh, yes, the nature trail is now dry, they've cleaned it up, got rid of those horrible pallets, and cut back some of the vegetation so even my 80 year old mom felt comfortable walking through

Dan Tarrell Memorial Point is a scenic spot within Lakefront Park. It was named in honor of former…read moreSt. Cloud Deputy Mayor Dan Tarrell. In 1997, at the age of 35, Tarrell entered Orlando Regional Medical Center for an expected routine surgical procedure. Unfortunately, complications arose during the operation, and he passed away. In recognition of his service and dedication to the city, St. Cloud named Dan Tarrell Memorial Point in his honor. In 2004, hurricanes caused significant damage to the point. The city later rebuilt and expanded the area. The walk to the point offers beautiful views of East Lake Tohopekaliga and the many birds that inhabit the shoreline. At the end of the pier like point is a covered pavilion that can be rented for private events at a rate of $50 per hour for city residents and $75 per hour for non-residents. Several benches are also available for visitors to relax and take in the scenery. Today, Dan Tarrell Memorial Point is a popular location for weddings, fishing, and watching sunsets over the lake. Despite the intense heat during my visit, I thoroughly enjoyed the walk to the point and the peaceful views of the lake, where people were even taking a swim.

Celebration is a planned community developed in Orlando by The Walt Disney Company in the 1990s. It…read morewas designed according to the principles of New Urbanism blending traditional early-20th-century American architecture with a walkable layout of interconnected streets, parks, and a downtown district. Master planners Robert A.M. Stern and Jaquelin T. Robertson structured the town around distinct neighborhoods centered on communal squares to recreate the charm and sense of community found in classic American small towns. A defining feature of Celebration's design is its Savannah inspired squares. They incorporate central focal points such as tiered fountains or open lawns surrounded by perimeter roads. One such space is actually called Savannah Square. This passive park transports you to Savannah Georgia with its black wrought iron fence, classic fountain, benches, mature shade trees, and benches. It is the perfect place to sit and read a book but it is also a popular spot for photo shoots in Celebration.

beautiful and wonderful- nice walking- many nice places to eat- there's a starbucks on f you want…read morecoffee or the bathroom.

I love spending time in nature, so I was delighted to discover this short trail tucked away inside…read moreDr. P. Phillips Community Park. While there isn't any parking directly next to the trailhead, it's only a short walk from the main parking area. The trail was created through a corporate sponsorship between Orange County and Orlando-based LongHorn Steakhouse, helping to fund and preserve local green spaces for the community to enjoy. Fun fact: The very first LongHorn Steakhouse opened on August 10, 1981, on Peachtree Road in Atlanta in a building that previously housed an adult bookstore. The LongHorn trail meanders through 10 acres of Florida scrub habitat, also known as a xeric hammock community. This unique ecosystem is one of the state's most endangered habitats because it occurs on higher, well-drained elevations, he same areas that are often targeted for development. It's a challenging environment where plants and wildlife have evolved adaptations to survive the dry, sandy conditions. As you stroll along the sandy path, you may see native species such as sand pines, sabal palms, Adams needle yucca, grapevines, ferns, lichens, songbirds, cicadas, raccoons, and perhaps even a threatened species of gopher tortoise crossing the trail. This is an easy hike that just about anyone can do as long as you can walk on soft, sandy terrain. Benches are placed along the trail, offering spots to rest before reaching an observation area overlooking Big Sand Lake. Once there you can sit quietly, enjoy a picnic, or simply take in the scenery. Although Dr. Phillips orange groves that once covered this area have long since been turned into residential and commercial development, it's nice to know that you can still find pockets of Florida's natural landscape that have been preserved. Trails like this offer a peaceful escape and a place for Florida's native animals and plants to find a home.

This historical marker sits basically on the corner of Orlando Avenue and Harmon Avenue and…read morecommemorates the birth of this section of town when Walter Washington Rose platted this land in November of 1924. The name "Orwin" was a combination of Orlando and Winter Park, which I found interesting. This area must have been so different back in 1924 and in the over a century that has passed, this area would be unrecognizable to the people who first came to this area. We must remember the footsteps that brought us to where we are today and this was a great bit of info on the history of the area

The Monument of the States is one of those must-stops if you're ever in the Kissimmee area. It's…read moresuch a unique and meaningful landmark, built as a symbol of unity after the attack on Pearl Harbor. What makes it even more special is that it's made from stones sent in from all over the United States (and even a few from other countries), which gives it so much character and history.

Came at night so puctures don't show. It's an interesting piece of art if you're in Kissimmeeread more

Arbor Park is in the heart of Celebration and while not far from the downtown, it is in the midst…read moreof a quiet neighborhood. It is more a boardwalk through a wooded area than a full-blown park, it was a pleasant enough respite from the daily grind. This was a pleasant enough place to get some walking in and I enjoyed my time here.

Celebration is a planned community developed near Orlando by The Walt Disney Company in the 1990s…read more Designed according to the principles of New Urbanism, it blends traditional early 20th-century American architecture with a walkable network of interconnected streets, parks, and a vibrant downtown district. Master planners Robert A.M. Stern and Jaquelin T. Robertson organized the town into distinct neighborhoods centered around parks and communal squares, with the goal of recreating the charm and sense of community associated with classic American small towns. One of the first parks I explored after entering Celebration was Arbor Park, a three-acre circular green space located at the center of a residential neighborhood. The park is in a natural state, with boardwalks and benches arranged in a cross-shaped pattern that winds through the landscape. Surrounded by impressive homes, it serves as a peaceful nature retreat within the community. Celebration features more than 23 miles of nature trails and pathways that connect its neighborhoods, parks, and natural areas. This extensive trail system is one of the aspects of the community that I love the most.