Winter Park City Talk

Sunrail construction notice

Canton Avenue and New York Avenue will be closed at the railroad crossing from Friday, May 31, at 9 p.m., to Monday, June 3, at 3 a.m. The closure will allow crews to reconstruct the crossing and sidewalks at both locations. Please note that this schedule may change due to bad weather or other unexpected conditions. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call 407- 461-8926 or email [email protected]. You can also call toll-free 1-855-RAIL 411 (1-855-724-5411). All Winter Park Sunrail construction alerts can be found at cityofwinterpark.org > Info at Your Fingertips > Amtrak & Sunrail Information > Construction Alerts.

Easy ways to save water and money

Although we enjoyed a virtually rain free holiday this past Memorial Day weekend, the rainy season is just around the corner, when we can expect some sort of precipitation almost every day. We have all seen it – sprinklers going off during a rain storm or shortly thereafter. We all know why that happens – our irrigation systems are preset and they are not manually changed or turned off.

The problem with overwatering is three-fold:

1. Overwatering a lawn promotes weeds, bugs and weakened grass roots.

2. It wastes water and money - lawn and landscape irrigation accounts for more than half of all residential water use.

3. It is in violation of city ordinance #2406-01 Section 1 that outlines water usage and restrictions. In addition, Florida Administrative Code 40C-2.042-5 requires anyone with an irrigation system installed after May 1, 1991, to “maintain and operate a rain sensor device or switch that overrides the irrigation system when adequate rainfall has occurred.”

Three easy solutions:

1. Install a rain sensor, soil moisture sensor or smart controller to sense moisture in the root zone and automatically turn off your irrigation system.

2. Remember to turn off your irrigation system on days that it has rained.

3. Make an appointment with the city’s Water Conservation Specialist by calling 407-599-3597 for a free on-site evaluation of your water/irrigation usage and receive suggestions of how to conserve water and save money. The city can help you verify optimal sprinkler head adjustment, identify leaks and correct controller setting for irrigation days and times - all for free!

Other easy ways to save water:

• Turn off the water while brushing our teeth.

• Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it.

• Find and fix leaks.

• Install low-flow toilets and showerheads.

• Take a shower instead of a bath.

• Use water-efficient appliances.

• Irrigate wisely and only when needed — before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. only — and water for no more than one hour per zone.

• Know your days - mandatory lawn-watering restrictions specify the days when you may water.

Homes with odd numbered or no addresses - Wednesday/Saturday

Homes with even numbered addresses - Thursday/Sunday

Nonresidential properties - Tuesday/Friday

Please help us go green and save you some green, one water drop at a time. Thank you!

Mayor to throw first pitch

Join Mayor Kenneth Bradley for the season opener of the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs, who will be playing College Park Freedom on Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m., at the Alfond Stadium at Harper-Shepherd Field located at 801 Orange Ave. The 2013 Florida Collegiate Summer League (FCSL) is a wood-bat collegiate baseball league showcasing many of the top-ranked college players in the United States. General admission is $5 and $3 for seniors and children. For more information, please call 321-206-9174 or visit floridaleague.com.

Winter Park Farmers’ Market Bike Valet

On Saturday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Keep Winter Park Beautiful (KWPB) and the Pedestrian & Bicycle Advisory Board will be providing a free Bike Valet service at the Farmers’ Market, located at 200 W. New England Ave. This is being provided as an incentive for alternative modes of transportation in the city’s beautiful downtown. KWPB will also be partnering with cultural organizations and non-profits to provide exciting event programming at the center of the Farmer’s Market to entertain and educate Winter Park residents on how to help keep our city beautiful and sustainable. For more information, please call 407-643-1656 or email [email protected].

School’s Out Pool Party

On Saturday, June 8, from noon to 5 p.m., begin your summer by joining with family and friends at the Schools Out Pool Party at the Winter Park Community Center, located at 721 W. New England Ave. This community event will include swimming, games, contests, drawings and prizes. This event is free to Winter Park residents and those with a Community Center pool pass. All others will be offered half-price pool entry. For more information, please call 407-643-1650.

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