Orlando Public Parks to Visit

By Helen Mohaim


Orlando draws thousands of families each year to see all of its theme parks, water parks and miniature golf courses, but the natural parks and gardens in Orlando are usually overlooked by visitors. Many of the Orlando public parks provide a relaxing and more reasonable alternative option to the gigantic themed attraction parks found in Florida.

Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is one of the nearest and preferred of the Orlando public parks. The signature of the park is a massive fountain in the center of the lake that was installed in 1957 and refitted in 2011. Visitors can walk the 0.9 mile sidewalk trail that circles the lake or rent swan shaped paddle boats to cruise round the lake. Guests can also enjoy feeding the swans and birds around that make the lake their home or enjoy a gig in the out of doors Disney Amphitheater.

Leu Gardens

The Harry P. Leu Gardens lets visitors walk through and enjoy around fifty acres of Orlando gardens filled with flowers. Guests will see plants and flowers that are native to Florida and can be enjoyed in southern style gardens. There are bamboo, tropical stream and butterfly gardens to enjoy. The Leu Gardens also feature the third place most sizable Camellia collection in The USA and the most massive formal rose garden found in all of the flower gardens in Florida.

University of Cennumbertral Florida Arboretum

The University of Central Florida Arboretum began as 12 acres on the east-facing side of the developed college campus. Over the years, extra acreage and tree communities have been added to the arboretum as it has developed into a living nature laboratory for students, staff and visitors. Guided natures tours through the numerous forested areas are offered, or visitors can enjoy the 5 hiking trails on their own. The UCF Arboretum also one of the sole gardens in Orlando that features a frisbee golf course.

Mead Botanical Garden

Only a few miles from downtown Orlando, the Mead Gardens lets vacationers enjoy an untouched natural Florida eco-system. These Orlando gardens have a diverse group of animals including raccoons, alligators, opossums, tree frogs, turtles and more. Birdwatchers can grab a tick list at the gardens and try to identify the more than 150 species of birds that've been spotted in the garden. There are nature trails, an amphiteater concert hall and a picnic pavilion for travelers to enjoy.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

20 minutes north of Orlando, travelers can take a swim in one of the freshwater springs which make up the Florida geography. Snorkelers can enjoy the clear, 72 degree water year round. Canoers and kayakers can paddle up the brook and get an up-close glance at the great wildlife that live along the Florida streams. There additionally are 2 campsites up the river that only accessible by canoe or kayak. Guests can also enjoy the nature trails for walkers, as well as wildlife tours and exhibits on weekends.




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