i had a great time walking around this garden located in winter park. there was a wedding…read morehappening, a family gathering elsewhere by the river, & the whole space was buzzing w/ summer energy. there is a whole area of the garden i have yet to explore but good thing is - it's free! i was a little lost on the map, it would have been nice to have a more clear distance gauge because some of the lines look like the trail is super long when in reality it's not and just the placement of buildings/parking too. i'll be back to conquer that map !! or maybe i'll stay a while and smell the roses.

The Gardens are beautiful and a great place to reconnect with the world. We went to see the…read moreNight-Blooming Cereus. It's a once a year blooming that is amazing. The trails are an easy walk and quite beautiful. I highly recommend it.

What a fantastic park! Located just outside of Camping World Stadium, I recently learned that Lake…read moreLorna Doone Park is one of the oldest parks in Orlando. It underwent a major renovation in 2021 where they added lots of amenities and made everything brand new. Even now, 5 years later, everything has been so well maintained and still feels like new. They have a free miniature golf putting course, an awesome splash pad, shaded playgrounds, basketball courts, and a nice nature walking path. You'll also find shaded picnic pavilions and a community garden. My son absolutely loves coming here. The parking lot can be a little tricky to find because my GPS using Google Maps never takes me to the right place. Don't let the location detour you from visiting. It's such a nice park and feels very safe.

Lake Lorna Doone Park is one of the oldest parks in Orlando. It is just north of Camping World…read moreStadium. The neighborhood and the park is named after one of the earliest property owner's daughter's favorite novel, Lorna Doone, written by English author, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, published in 1869. Lake Lorna Doone was the site of the South's first integrated Little League Baseball game on August 9, 1955. The 1955 little league season was the first after US Supreme Court rulings had eliminated "separate but equal" conditions in the nation's schools and public parks. The Pensacola Jaycees were declared winners of their local district by Little League headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. When local officials would not allow them to play against the all-white teams they instead advanced to the Florida State Tournament which was held at Lake Lorna Doone Park. They ended up losing to host Orlando in the second round, 5-0 but they were welcomed by the hometown crowd and given encouragement. In 2021, 12 acre Lake Lorna Doone Park underwent an $8 million renovation. Added to the park was the nine hole Arnold Palmer Putting Experience, fitness stations, a playground, football fields, basketball courts, a splash pad and the Winnie Palmer Nature Trail. I especially liked the nature trail where I got to see native plants and wildlife. With the upgrades, this park now has all of the amenities needed to inspire a healthy, active lifestyle for the West Lakes families who live in this neighborhood and all who visit.

Had a wonderful time here. This garden is a beautiful and peaceful place. There are so many birds…read moreand wildlife. The perfect place to walk around, read, have a picnic. Public bathrooms available. Lots of free parking.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Maitland, Kraft Azalea Garden is one of the most peaceful and…read morebeautiful spots in Central Florida. From the moment you walk in, you're surrounded by towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, creating a calm, almost magical atmosphere. The lakefront views are absolutely stunning, especially around sunset when the light reflects off the water--it's the perfect place to relax, take photos, or just unwind. The historic Exedra monument adds a unique touch and makes for a great backdrop. What really stands out is how quiet and serene it feels, even though it's so close to everything in Winter Park. Whether you're going for a peaceful walk, a picnic, or just some time to clear your mind, this hidden gem delivers every time

This park is about 45 minutes from me and yet we've been several times. It's just that good! Theres…read moreso many different areas and things to play on. There's a big play area for the older kids and a smaller but plenty big area for the younger kids to play on. My son is only 17 months but loves to climb and I can appreciate that this park was designed for smaller kids in mind and there are less places where he could yeet himself off so as a parent I don't have to watch every single step he makes.

This lovely neighborhood park was named in honor of Wilson Phelps, a Chicago businessman who toured…read morethe area in 1874 and purchased land east of Lake Osceola for a citrus business. In addition to growing citrus, Phelps sold lots to fellow Chicagoans and mentored Loring Chase and Oliver Chapman into turning this largely unsettled area into an upscale winter resort. Phelps, acting as a one-man chamber of commerce, provided the basis of the promotional materials used by Chase and Chapman who marketed Winter Park to wealthy northerners. This nearly six acre park, in Winter Park, provides both natural beauty and recreational opportunities. One of the nicest features of this park is the playground that was rebuilt in 2021 by Kompan Design with input from area residents. This playground was designed to improve physical, cognitive, creative, and social development while fostering imaginative play and friendships. Other park amenities include basketball courts, tennis courts, pavilions available for rental, restrooms, picnic tables, and outdoor fitness equipment. There are also two hardcourts for pickleball. This park is fully fenced for safety and is beautifully landscaped and it is close to downtown Winter Park where you can find shopping and dining options. This park is the perfect place for a morning stroll, a birthday party, play, or a picnic. Phelps Park appeals to all ages. Community Parks don't come much nicer than this one.

Great paddle boarding spot. There's bathrooms at the parking lot, which is super convenient…read more Unfortunately, I paddled here on a fairly windy day so paddling against the current was very difficult. Would definitely come back here on a less windy day with friends! There are a bunch of scenic boat tours that circle around the lake, as well as a few people on jet skis but other than that, it was fairly quiet on the water!

Whenever we go paddle boarding, we always start from Dinky Dock. The nearby canals offer plenty to…read moreexplore, and the whole area has a relaxed, family-friendly vibe. It's a scenic little spot and a great place to visit during the summer. Lots of shade and not too crowded, perfect for a laid-back day by the water. It's also great for wildlife watching, we've seen all kinds of birds and even a few otters here. Parking can be tricky on busier days, but if you arrive early, you'll usually find a spot. Bathrooms are available and surprisingly decent for a dock area.

Such a nice hidden urban oasis tucked away in a neighborhood. I almost forgot I was only 10 minutes…read morefrom downtown Orlando! It's a quiet, easy 0.5-mile trail that's clearly loved and respected by the local community, and it's well maintained for a safe, enjoyable walk. The trail takes you beneath the historic masonry street bridge, with winding creeks, charming wooden bridges, and giant elephant ear plants along the way. It was such a fun place to explore on a Saturday evening. I'll definitely be back in March to see the azaleas in bloom. Good to know: there's convenient parking across the street at the adjacent Mayor Carl T. Langford Park, which also has additional amenities.

What a sweet little park to enjoy a short walk, a picnic or to partake in bird watching. There are…read morebenches here and there to sit on. Would be a nice spot with the right eye to take photos. The oaks are old and hold so much wisdom. The hard part is finding where to park. The only spot is on the side of the road. I saw people walking dogs through the park too. It's shaded and if you want sun, there are parts that the sun shines through. Enjoy!

I was born in Orlando in 1961, so Lake Eola has been a part of my entire life. I rarely make it…read moredown here anymore, but I had an appointment near here and as I parked, I look at the park and the lake and made sure that I would spent some time after the meeting, and I am glad that I did. It is so beautiful here, a sanctuary in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Orlando. I walked around the lake, people watching, enjoying the foliage, the trees, the wildlife, so serene and tranquil. If I lived downtown, I would be here every day. I highly recommend taking a trip here and getting away from the city for a few minutes- you will be glad you did.

Lake Eola is one of Orlando's most beautiful parks and a great place to relax, walk, or bring your…read moredog. It's very dog-friendly, and I loved seeing all the healthy ducks and other wildlife around the lake. The walking path is clean, scenic, and perfect for getting some fresh air. A couple of things could make it even better. More public restrooms would be appreciated, and I wish there were additional shaded areas where people experiencing homelessness could find relief from Florida's heat. Overall, it's a peaceful, iconic park that I always enjoy visiting.

Blue Jacket Park is definitely one of my favorite parks to visit. It is spacious with many…read moreopportunities to engage in various activities, from working out, biking, jogging/running, walking, picnicking, yoga - you name it, you can do it. While it is a lively park and can get busy from time to time, especially on the days the run/walk clubs are there, it is usually a nice park to visit solo and enjoy the peace of the surroundings offered. There is more than enough open green space and a good amount of seating throughout the park. The park also maintains various courts/area for various sporting events like baseball, volleyball, soccer, and various other outdoor activities. As far as proximity to other areas, this park is also located a short distance from the shopping and food eateries in Baldwin Park. So, after enjoying a great workout or just strolling through the park, you can pop over to Baldwin Park for some food and beverages. The only challenge, at times, is parking. Parking in this area (in general) is just tricky; however, there is street parking throughout the neighborhood near the park as well as a designated parking lot for the park itself. However, you can also park throughout the Baldwin Park area and just walk to the park from there. Before I close this out, I've gone to numerous events in this park as well, so it is great for hosting various community events (of course, with the proper permits, etc.). All in all, Blue Jacket Park is really just a great park.

I've been coming here since I was a kid, and I still love walking around this park to this day…read more I used to come here to play tennis as a kid. The park is also pretty fun. I can still use the swings at least! One of my favorite things to do here is to walk around the park though. It's great exercise! It used to be a Navy base long ago, with a ship for training! Now it's a park with recently added plaques and statues to honor its past.