- April 29, 2024
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City of Ocoee representatives and Chase Brackett, president and CEO at Prime Construction Group, Inc., had the honor to cut the ribbon that gave way to the grand opening of Unity Park.
City of Ocoee Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen and Mayor Rusty Johnson chatted animatedly with city residents.
City of Ocoee Commissioner Ages Hart with wife, Lori, were excited to be present at the event.
Pam Jones addressed attendees in representation of United States Congressman Daniel Webster.
City of Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson was happy to address attendees and welcome them to Unity Park.
City of Ocoee Commissioner Richard Firstner had fun talking about the park to those in attendance.
City of Ocoee representatives and Chase Brackett, president and CEO at Prime Construction Group, Inc., had the honor to cut the ribbon that gave way to the grand opening of Unity Park.
City of Ocoee representatives and Chase Brackett, president and CEO at Prime Construction Group, Inc., celebrated that the ribbon was cut.
Ocoee Fire Department administrative assistant to the fire chief Alicia Peiffer, Sparky the dog and Deputy Chief Jerome Byrd posed together for a picture.
City of Ocoee Commissioner Richard Firstner, Mayor Rusty Johnson and commissioners Rosemary Wilsen and Ages Hart stood next to the document from the Florida League of Cities that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Ocoee’s township.
City of Ocoee engineer Milen Womack, GAI Consultants staff member Gilbert Vincent, Prime Construction Group, Inc. president and CEO Chase Brackett, GAI Consultants staff members Kevin Aust and Ivan Maranan, and City of Ocoee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Johnson.
City of Ocoee Commissioner Richard Firstner, Mayor Rusty Johnson and commissioners Rosemary Wilsen and Ages Hart stood next to the document from the Florida League of Cities that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Ocoee’s township accompanied by Sparky the dog.
George Perez offered refreshing samples from his business — Social Blends — which he owns with his wife, Jessica Ortiz.
City of Ocoee community event aide Curtis Moser handed bookmarks and tumblers to attendees.
City of Ocoee community relations manager Joy Wright, Pam Jones, Francine Boykin and Ocoee Police Department officer Andrea Sanders enjoyed their time together.
Ocoee Police Chief Saima Plasencia, Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson and Ocoee Police officer Scott Nylander posed in front of the pond.
City of Ocoee Parks and Recreation Director Mark Johnson and Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson pose with a map of the aerial view of the park.
The City of Ocoee welcomed residents to the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome Unity Park into the community Tuesday, Oct. 10.
The 5-acre park is located at 130 North Cumberland Ave., Ocoee, and is the first of its kind in the city.
“Over the years, we’ve talked about — and worked on — different projects for unity in the community, and this one is the perfect example of it as we come together at this beautiful park,” Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson said. “We chose the name Unity Park because it represents the unity in our community. With this in mind, plans are under way to build a memorial wall here to remember the African Americans who lived in Ocoee during the 1920 Election Day Massacre. The memorial wall will list the names of 263 black men, women and children who once called Ocoee home.”
The park provides a scenic environment for residents to enjoy while it naturally traps and stores stormwater runoff.
According to a press release by the City of Ocoee, a naturalized creek serves as the centerpiece for the park and naturally treats stormwater before it flows into Starke Lake. The park “has the capacity to store up to 4.1 million gallons of stormwater generated from the city’s downtown district which covers 41.7 acres.”
A stream runs along the south side of the park, pooling at three strategically located weirs to promote settling of large particles to clarify the water before it continues its course to Starke Lake. The wetland in the center of the park “captures and treats stormwater runoff from the neighborhoods to the south, promoting the percolation of clean water into the soil,” according to the press release.
In addition, the large pond located on the north side of the park serves as a place for rainwater to flow and be collected away from the streets and downtown structures.
“Unity park is making history as the first park of its kind in our city (because) not only does the park look good, (but it’s also) good for our environment,” Commissioner Richard Firstner said. “The walking path connects the city’s master trail plan, and as you are walking or relaxing, all these trees and plants are 100% native to the (Florida) area, and native plants are important because they are sustainable, save water and provide habitat for pollinators.”
The native plants displayed at Unity Park include Slash Pine, Florida Flame Red Maple, American Sweet Gum, Southern Live Oak and Autumn Gold Bald Cypress.
“It’s truly a pleasure to be here on behalf of Congressman (Daniel) Webster,” Pam Jones, community relations representative for Lake and Sumter Counties, said. “He serves in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, so projects like this one are in his wheelhouse. It's amazing how the City of Ocoee has taken infrastructure and recreation and wrapped it all up in beauty, this is truly something for the community to enjoy.”
In addition to the grand opening of the park, Ocoee also celebrated its 100-year "Town of Ocoee" anniversary, given that it was recognized as a municipality by the Florida Legislature in 1923.
