Winter Park City Talk

On behalf of the city of Winter Park, I would like to extend the happiest of holidays to you and yours. This time of year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the people and moments that mean the most to us. We thank you for your continued support of our city and wish you happy holidays this season and all yearlong.

KWPB receives President Circle Award

Keep Winter Park Beautiful has been chosen as a recipient of Keep America Beautiful’s President Circle Award. The President's Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance made by certified affiliates of KAB in building and sustaining vibrant communities. Recipients will be recognized during KAB annual Awards Dinner, held during the 2016 KAB National Conference in Orlando. In qualifying for a President's Circle Award, KWPB has met KAB's high standards of merit by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index, calculating the affiliate's cost/benefit ratio, and administering activities in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, and waste reduction, and beautification and as well as community greening. KWPB was one of the few affiliates selected from within KAB’s national network of more than 600 community-based affiliates whose programs, initiatives and efforts aim to transform public spaces into beautiful places.

City Hall closed

City Hall will be closed Thursday, Dec. 24, at noon, through Friday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. In addition, City Hall will also be closed Friday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year’s Day. There will be no Waste Pro services on Christmas or New Year’s Day. Normal collection services will resume on the next regularly scheduled collection day.

Parade of Bands

The city will proudly host the ninth annual Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands, featuring school bands from the University of North Carolina and Baylor University, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29. As a prelude to the Russell Athletic Bowl game at 5:30 p.m. at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, school bands, cheerleaders and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park and perform a “Bandtastic Game Day Preview.”

From 9:30 to 11 a.m., Interlachen Avenue will be closed to through traffic between Fairbanks and New England avenues, and Lyman Avenue will be closed between Knowles and Interlachen avenues for the band staging area. From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Morse Blvd. will be close to through traffic between Park and New York avenues. The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues, heading north on Park Avenue through downtown Winter Park. After turning west onto Garfield Avenue, they will proceed to Central Park where they will perform for all fans to enjoy.

In order to minimize disruption to traffic flow, street closures along the parade route will occur in a rolling fashion. Street closures will reopen immediately after the parade has safely passed. However, a portion of Park Avenue between Morse Boulevard and Canton Avenue will remain closed for the duration of the parade. Side street entrances on to Park Avenue will also be closed as the parade approaches each intersection.

The Russell Athletic Bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also manages the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and the Florida Blue Florida Classic. For information regarding Florida Citrus Sports and to purchase tickets for upcoming events, including the Russell Athletic and Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus bowls, please visit fcsports.com.

For specific information regarding the Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands in Winter Park, please call 407-599-3463.

WPPD and Waste Pro USA partner to prevent potential crimes

After a great suggestion by a resident who is a member of the Winter Park Police Department’s Neighborhood Advisory Council, WPPD, in partnership with Waste Pro USA has made a dumpster available for residents to discard their cardboard boxes from holiday presents. In an effort to support good crime prevention practices, WPPD is urging residents to drop off their cardboard boxes from electronic purchases and other valuable items instead of leaving them curbside for trash pick-up. Not advertising to the potential criminals what might be “available” in your residence is a good practice to help thwart off crime in your neighborhood.

The dumpster is available for use now through Thursday, Dec. 31, to all residents and is located at the Winter Park Police Station at 500 N. Virginia Ave. on the west side of the building near the intersection of Virginia and Swoope avenues.

It’s a great time to skate on Christmas break!

Don’t forget the city’s Winter in the Park holiday ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow is waiting for you! Yes, we are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas day from noon to 6 p.m. Only $12 per skater all day! For more information, please call 407-599-3203, or visit our website at cityofwinterpark.org/WITP.

Dinner on the Avenue tables on sale Jan. 4

The city is proud to announce the 15th annual Dinner on the Avenue will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Hosted by the city, this unique, fun-filled dining experience has become the social event of the year.

Tables will go on sale at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4 at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave.

Tables of eight are available for just $125 each. Only the table, white linen tablecloth and chairs are provided – everything else is up to you. Creativity is encouraged and each group is challenged to develop its own unique look and individual décor. Awards will be presented to winners in various categories including most colorful, most elegant, most original, best TV/movie-themed and honorable mentions. New this year to recognize Earth Month, Earth Day, and Winter Park’s Sustainability initiatives, Keep Winter Park Beautiful and Winter Park Blooms are sponsoring an award category for “greenest” décor. The judging will begin at 7 p.m. sharp, and awards will be presented once the judges have decided on the winners. For more information regarding this unique dining experience, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/dinner or call 407-643-1613.

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org. Like, follow and watch us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vimeo, and YouTube.