PHOTOS: Bentonshire Park groundbreaking in Horizon West

The Horizon West community celebrated the groundbreaking of Bentonshire Park Monday, April 1.

The 5-acre park, located on Bentonshire Avenue at Overstreet Road, will feature myriad amenities, including a walking path, picnic pavilion, playground with two shade sails and a dog park. 

Kyle Kent, assistant manager at Orange County Parks & Recreation, welcomed attendees before turning the floor over to Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, who said the park is a $1.8 million investment in the community. 

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said the park is a testament to the power of collaboration, creativity and community spirit.

“Today marks a momentous occasion as we gather to break ground on what will soon become a cherished space for recreation and reconnection with nature,” Wilson said. “This occasion fills me with excitement, anticipation and a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to create, truly, something special. Parks are not merely patches of greenery, but they are the beating heart of our neighborhoods, the lungs of our cities and the souls of our communities. They are the spaces where children will laugh and play, families will gather for picnics, and friends will come together to create lasting memories. They are the sanctuaries where we can escape the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and reconnect with the beauty and serenity of our natural world. The park we are breaking ground on today will be more than a collection of bushes and benches; it will be a symbol of our commitment to creating a better, brighter future for generations to come.”