Commissioner's Corner: Get active in Orange County

I hope you are your family are enjoying your summer. Orange County is a sub-tropical paradise. In fact, our climate is one of the many reasons why over 62 million people visited our region last year. Summer is a great time to engage in outdoor activities and enjoy the many recreational amenities Orange County has to offer. This month, I would like to update you on some of these recreational amenities available to you throughout Orange County.

Summer is the perfect time to spend a weekend camping at an Orange County park. Our Parks and Recreation Division manages five campsites countywide. Four of these parks, Clarcona Horse Park, Kelly Park/Camp Joy, Magnolia Park, and Trimble Park are located in northwestern Orange County. The fifth park, Moss Park, is located east of the Orlando International Airport. Clarcona Horse Park includes RV and tent campsites in addition to extensive equestrian facilities. Campers staying at Kelly Park or Camp Joy, a property adjacent to Kelly Park, can enjoy the cool waters of Rock Springs, which remain at a constant temperature of 68 degrees. Magnolia Park offers campers convenient access to Lake Apopka as well as hiking trails and sports facilities. Trimble Park is located between Lakes Carlton and Beauclair on Orange County’s western border with Lake County. Scenic lakefront campsites are available. Campers at Trimble Park can enjoy boating, picnicking, hiking and wildlife watching during their stay. Moss Park is also set between two lakes, Lake Hart and Lake Mary Jane. In addition to activity pavilions, basketball courts, and boat dock, campers can explore the nearby Split Oak Preserve through a hiking trail connecting the two properties.

District 5 residents looking for campsites a little closer to home can visit the Hal Scott Preserve, a 9,500-acre property jointly owned by the St. John’s Water Management District and Orange County. The preserve straddles the Econlockhatchee River and includes a group campsite and two primitive campsites. This park is the perfect location for hiking, fishing, bicycling, or horseback riding.

Recreational opportunities also exist at state parks located in Orange County. Over 30,000 acres of pristine natural lands await at Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area in East Orange County. This wildlife management area has equestrian facilities, fishing areas, over 60 miles of hiking trails, limited hunting, and campsites available for use. Visitors to Wekiwa Springs State Park can beat the heat by enjoying the cool waters of the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. Available activities include snorkeling, inner tubing, kayaking, and hiking. The Charles H. Bronson State Forest in northeastern Orange County is a great place to bird watch, hike, picnic, fish, or hunt.

Get active this summer by taking advantage of a programming at your local Orlando Magic Gym. These gyms were built by the Orlando Magic but are operated by Orange County’s Parks and Recreation Division. These gyms are located at Barnett Park, Goldenrod Park, Meadow Woods Park, Silver Star Community Park, South Econ Community Park, and West Orange Recreation Center. The Goldenrod Recreation Center in District 5 hosts a wide variety of programs for young people and adults. Children ages 5-17 can participate in the Junior Magic Basketball League. This league is offered every summer, fall, and winter. The summer league is already underway; it runs from June to August. However, registration for the fall league is now open. Registration in the league costs $50 per player and includes a jersey, certificate, and an opportunity to attend an Orlando Magic game.

Boxing and karate classes are also available for young people. In addition, children ages 8-17 can qualify for free youth membership at the Goldenrod Recreation Center, which allows access to the onsite gym and game room, typically from 2 to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The Goldenrod Recreation Center hosts adult programming as well, including Zumba, Jazzercise, boxing, and yogalates. Adults can also access the park’s onsite fitness area equipped with exercise equipment and a weight room. For more information about any of these programs at the Goldenrod Recreation Center, please call 407-254-9025.

Orange County has other recreational opportunities available this summer. County boat ramps offer access to many scenic bodies of water, including Lake Jessamine, Lake Conway, Lake Apopka, and the Butler Chain of Lakes. Boaters in District 5 can access the St. John’s River through a ramp located on East State Road 50. Orange County residents owning horses can spend the summer exploring horse trails on several county-owned properties. As mentioned above, Clarcona Horse Park includes extensive facilities including horse stalls, show rings, and trail access. Other properties with horse trails include Horizon West Park, Split Oak Forest, and Isle of Pine Preserve. In addition, the West Orange Trail has equestrian access. As previously mentioned, horseback riders in District 5 can take advantage of the Hal Scott Preserve’s extensive trail network.

Adults interested in searching for buried treasure can request a metal detector use permit from Orange County Parks and Recreation. If granted, those with permits can search for objects buried up to 6-inches deep in the ground. All found items must be reported to park staff and any items deemed to be lost, stolen, or historic in nature may be kept by the park. For more information on metal detecting on county park property or to request a permit application, please call 407-836-6205.

I hope you will take advantage of some of Orange County’s outstanding recreational opportunities this summer. These amenities are just one of the many things that make Orange County a great place to live. As always, if you have any questions about recreational activities available through Orange County government, please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff, Edgar Robinson and Lynette Rummel. We can be reached at 407-836-7350 or by email and [email protected]