Commisioners Corner: 'Tis the season for Cracker Christmas

Autumn is a great time to visit one of District 5’s many outdoor recreational amenities that include hiking and bike trails, environmental lands, community parks, and historical sites. You are only a few minutes drive from many of these great facilities regardless of where you live in the district.

One of my favorite Orange County parks is the Fort Christmas Historical Park located 2 miles north of East State Road 50 in Christmas on Fort Christmas Road. The site dates back to Dec. 25, 1837, when a force of 2,000 U.S. Army troops and Alabama Volunteers established the fort during the Second Seminole War. Today, the park contains a recreation of the original 19th century fort along with several restored Florida “Cracker” style homes and a historical depiction of the school and farms used by the areas’ early settlers. The site hosts one of the most attended community events in District 5, “Cracker Christmas.” Thousands of people from across Central Florida flock to the park to take part in food, crafts, and living history demonstrations of 19th century life in Christmas. I hope you’ll join me this Dec. 7 and 8 for this year’s Cracker Christmas celebration.

District 5 has thousands of acres of environmental lands available to the public for hiking, birding, camping, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. These lands contain many of the habitats that are representative of Central Florida’s ecology, including freshwater marshes, oak hammocks, pine flatwoods, cypress domes, riverine swamps, and forested wetlands. The largest of District 5’s environmental lands is the Hal Scott Preserve located directly west of Wedgefield. The preserve’s main trailhead is located 2 miles north of the Beachline on Dallas Boulevard. The preserve is an 8,000-acre parcel that protects a large portion of the Econlockhatchee River. The preserve is an excellent location for hiking and birding and includes primitive campsites for those seeking to enjoy the natural beauty of the area overnight. Immediately adjacent to the Hal Scott Preserve is Long Branch Park, an area that preserves the habitats associated with the Long Branch Tributary of the Econlockhatchee River. Orange County also operates Pine Lily Preserve, which is approximately 431 acres in size and is located next to Hal Scott Preserve and Long Branch. On the northern side of District 5, the 4,608-acre Charles Bronson State Forest awaits with many great trails for both hiking and horseback riding. Savage/Christmas Creek Preserve is a 1,126-acre parcel that was acquired by Orange County in 1999. Future plans call for an active park site that will be located on 229 acres of the parcel that is located on East State Road 50. The parks are a symbol of Orange County’s commitment to establishing wildlife corridors that ensure that native plants and animals flourish.

Two paved trails, the Cady Way Trail and the Little Econ Greenway, stretch 14.4 miles across District 5 and provide recreation for many East Orange County residents. The Little Econ Greenway currently extends 7.9 miles from the intersection of Alafaya Trail and Lokanotosa Trail through Blanchard Park and eventually ending on Forsyth Road. The trail features riverside recreation, picnicking, wildlife watching and canoeing. The Cady Way Trail is a 6.5-mile paved corridor that links Orlando and Winter Park, and connects with the Cross Seminole Trail in Seminole County. Orange County will be expanding the trail system to link the Cady Way and Little Econ trails together, as well as provide trail access to the University of Central Florida, the Cross Seminole Trail system, and the city of Oviedo.

District 5 has several community parks available for many types of outdoor activities. Bithlo residents can enjoy the Bithlo Community Park. The park, also the site of the Bithlo Community Center, includes little league ball fields, covered basketball court, fishing area and the recently opened Bithlo Splash Pad. Goldenrod Park on East Aloma Drive includes a playground, tennis court, small pavilion, restroom facility, and an Orange County - Orlando Magic Recreation Center. Although not located within District 5, Blanchard Park is a great facility located minutes from many District 5 residents between Dean and Rouse roads. The park straddles the beautiful Little Econ River with canoeing, picnicking facilities, and sports fields, includes a YMCA facility and has a trailhead for the Little Econ Greenway.

District 5 is home to many great parks, environmental lands, and recreational amenities that set it apart from the rest of the county. I hope you’ll take advantage of many of these facilities available in District 5. It is an honor to serve as your District 5 commissioner. If you have any questions or concerns about Orange County’s parks and environmental lands please log on to the Orange County Parks and Recreation at ocfl.net/CultureParks.aspx. My staff and I are also available to answer any questions you may have. We can be reached at 407-836-7350 or by email at [email protected]

See you at Cracker Christmas this Dec. 7 and 8!