Orange County Commission approves new phase of Horizon West Regional Park

The next phase of Horizon West Regional Park is one step closer to becoming a reality. 

The Orange County Board of County Commission approved the construction contract to continue onto Phase 1B of Horizon West Regional Park, the county’s 114th park. 

The park sits on 215.25 acres at Hamlin Groves Trail and Mann Road in Winter Garden. 

Phase 1B will cost $5 million and bring more amenities to the park.

District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said construction on Phase 1B should begin soon; the contract was approved in late October. 

This phase will add a large splash pad, additional sidewalks, parking areas, a third picnic shelter and a pavilion with a paved parking area on the west side of the playground, as well as a floating dock and a kayak launch on Lake Hartley. 

“I know everyone is very eager for outdoor public events, so we wanted to make sure that if we had the possibility of doing that, that we were creating that space,” Wilson said. 

And the possibility arrived. Phase 1B will include a green space where farmers markets and community events can take place. 

“I get really excited about that passive, open green space,” Wilson said. “People need to be able to play. Whether it’s going out with friends and throwing a frisbee, or you know, anyone that has toddlers in their house knows they need to get their zoomies out.

“It’s good for people who maybe weren’t following this back a few years ago, but the investments were really chosen based on what the community put in their survey, so it was all community driven,” she said. 

Although an opening date has not yet been set, the park should be ready for public use before the year ends and will remain open through other construction phases. 

Phase 1A will offer an inclusive playground, restrooms and pavilions for picnics and birthdays. Park visitors also will have the opportunity to horseback ride or hike on the about 6 miles of unpaved hiking trails. 

“Any day now, we’re going to hear about an opening for the first phase,” Wilson said. “We’ll try to do something ceremonial, just so everyone will know about it.” 

Orange County’s Parks and Recreation team worked closely with the county’s environmental protection team to ensure construction was being done conscientiously due to residents’ concerns over the area’s wildlife. 

Local park enthusiast Jerry Blank has taken it upon himself to work with Parks and Recreation to come up with creative solutions for how to make sure gopher tortoises staying on site are being protected. 

Phase 1B is slated to be complete in 2027 or 2028. Plans for Phase 2 already are in the works. 

Wilson said this phase will include an art stage adjacent to an open air green space; a dedicated dog park; baseball and softball fields; pickleball, tennis and basketball courts; and a disc golf course. 

She also said Phase 2 will entail bringing outdoor fitness and exercise stations to the park, a botanical garden and other landscape projects.

“I hope it fulfills that need that we hear from people about so many different things,” Wilson said of the park. “I’m hoping that it satisfies many things for people and that everyone sort of finds their thing at the park.” 

To her, this is a quality-of-life investment and hopes others also see it that way, as funding for these parks come from property taxes through the county’s General Fund. 

“I do think it’s important people know that things like parks come from their property taxes and this is something that it’s an investment everybody wants,” Wilson said. “(It adds) value to their property and their neighborhoods are more desirable if there’s a nearby community park like this, so I hope people can draw those connections.”