Winter Garden, healthcare district partner for Tucker Ranch

Winter Garden commissioners have approved a community partnership with the West Orange Healthcare District and others regarding Tucker Ranch.

During the Oct. 22 City Commission meeting, the city passed a resolution establishing the partnership to construct Tucker Ranch Health and Wellness Park, and commit to fund the park's operation and maintenance. The park also will be connected to the West Orange Trail system along Avalon Road.

The purpose of the park is to provide the facilities, setting and programming to improve the health and wellness of the residents of West Orange County, according to city documents. The West Orange Healthcare District and other organizations are providing funding to construct the park.

The city will fund the operation and maintenance of the park, as well as connect it to the West Orange Trail along Avalon south toward Horizon West and north to the West Orange Trail.

Additionally, commissioners officially green-lighted an ordinance that will bring townhomes and commercial space to a 5.83-acre parcel of land at 855 and 955 S. Dillard St. The Central Parc at Winter Garden PCD consists of 19 townhomes, 14 condominiums and commercial/office space.

The property is located east of South Dillard Street and south of East Palmetto Street, north of West Colonial Drive and west of Grand Royal Circle. It currently hosts a 4,000-square-foot professional office building that once was used as a church administrative property.