Horizon West Magazine
Horizon West Regional Park

HORIZON WEST REGIONAL PARK

BIG PLANS ON THE HORIZON

Looking for Neighborhood Parks?

Horizon West Regional Park (HWRP) is located between New Independence Parkway and Bridgewater Middle School, with the main entrance on Hamlin Groves Trail. At 215 acres, it is among Orange County's largest urban parks. By 2025, HWRP will have all the amenities of a typical neighborhood park and more. Because of its size and unique geography, the park's "natural use" areas include several distinct Florida ecosystems.


The seeds for park improvements that are currently taking place were planted in 2019, when our District 1 Commissioner joined County Parks staff to host public meetings and conduct surveys collecting public input on development plans. That level of grass-roots participation in the planning process is a welcome change from how such projects were planned in the 1900s — a trend worth continuing!


Below is a conceptual design plan* that shows integration of amenities that were requested by the public.

The resulting master plan was divided into construction phases, with the first phase subsequently split into Phase 1A (currently under construction) and Phase 1B (in design stage). It also defines four usage zones.



CONSTRUCTION PHASES

PHASE 1A

All four zones – Active, Natural, Lake and Passive Recreation – will be included in Phase 1. The funding allotted for this phase is $10 million.  Already underway as of early 2024, Phase 1 will provide basic infrastructure, paved access, utilities, signage and retention ponds, plus amenities:

  • Two paved parking lots, including EV charging
  • Pedestrian/bicycle sidewalk access from Hamlin Groves Trail and Tiny Road
  • Restroom with water fountains and bottle filler
  • Large playground with shade sails
  • Picnic shelter with three picnic tables
  • Larger event pavilion, with eight picnic tables, charcoal grills, bicycle rack and water fountains


Completion of this phase is tentatively planned for early 2025.


PHASE 1B

This phase will begin the addition of major amenities. Currently budgeted amenities and facilities include:

  • Splash pad
  • A third picnic shelter/pavilion
  • Boardwalk and fishing pier at Lake Hartley
  • 3-acre open mowed grass area
  • Additional trails, including a perimeter trail around the northwest pond
  • Extension of the west parking lot and two new parking lots, which can facilitate farmer's markets and food truck events
  • Overflow parking area (grass) for larger events


FUTURE PHASES:

The evolution of HWRP through its final phase(s) may take place over decades, since each phase must be funded before construction plans can be drawn. The master plan has a list of possible amenities to be included in future phases:

  • Dog park
  • Kayak/canoe launch
  • Baseball/softball fields
  • Pickleball
  • Basketball courts
  • Multi-purpose fields
  • Tennis courts
  • Disc golf
  • Outdoor exercise stations
  • Community center and performing arts stage
  • Botanical garden
  • Landscape restoration
  • Additional trails


An Orange County Library Branch for Horizon West is also planned to be co-located at the HWRP location.


Groundbreaking ceremony

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson invited the public to attend the Horizon West Regional Park Groundbreaking on Thursday, February 15, 2024. Those in attendance not only witnessed the historic groundbreaking ceremony, but they also had the opportunity to hear from our local government officials and representatives from Orange County Parks and Recreation Division. The event was captured by Orange County's government information channel, Orange TV, and can be seen below.


VISITNG HW REGIONAL PARK

CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Today, HWRP is closed for construction of Phase 1A. Tentative timelines for completion of this phase flow into early 2025.


For the past decade, residents have used HWRP for recreational purposes like cycling, horseback riding, hiking and dog-walking. During much of that time, Orange County Parks and Recreation has kept about five miles of grass trails cleared, which is unusual. Typical policy is to close undeveloped park land during the pre-construction process. The decision to allow natural space usage in HWRP has turned out well — generating public interest in the park and leading to steadily increasing visitation.


 Additionally, visiting the undeveloped park offered residents an opportunity to observe our local flora and fauna including vibrant passion flower vines, prickly pear cacti, partridge peas, many species of birds, gopher tortoises as well as beautiful sunsets and vistas.


I discovered Horizon West Regional Park soon after moving to Horizon West in 2021. Since then, I've had the pleasure of doing volunteer trail maintenance, trail mapping, sharing photos of the park's wildlife and natural beauty on Facebook, and making new friends on the trail.

CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS

With Phase 1 construction underway, I recently created a second map of HWRP (linked below). It is titled “Horizon West Regional Park - Projects Under Construction” and intended to serve as a guide for those with a keener interest in the facilities which will soon be built, making Horizon West Regional Park less “primitive” and more family-friendly.


This map displays Phase 1A features being built this year as colored symbols. The Phase 1B facilities, which are still in the pre-bidding stage, are displayed in gray.

ADDITIONAL INFO

For more details and artist renderings of HWRP, pick up your FREE copy of Horizon West Magazine available at business locations around town.


Orange County Parks and Recreation also hosts an official Horizon West Regional Park website.



*Please note: Plans are conceptual and subject to change.

HORIZON WEST NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS

County Park Hours: Summer 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. / Winter 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday - Saturday

In keeping with the village-centric design of Horizon West, neighborhood parks serve as shared outdoor gathering places and offer green space for the local residents. Provided and operated by Orange County, typical neighborhood parks offer amenities like playgrounds, small picnic pavilions, benches, bike racks, paved walkways, dog parks, exercise stations, and open field space. These small parks are designed to serve residents within walking distance and are often located adjacent to Orange County public schools. There are many private parks within the various subdivisions of each Horizon West village as well. Here's a directory of the Orange County Parks within Horizon West. 



CURRENT PARKS 

BRIDGEWATER VILLAGE

Deputy Scott Pine Park
Windermere High School Football & Soccer Fields
6865 Ficquette Road
407-656-3299

Independence Park
5849 New Independence Pkwy
407-254-1940


Summerport Neighborhood Park
14491 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd
407-656-3299


LAKESIDE VILLAGE

Lakeside Village Park
10820 Village Lake Road
407-836-6200



FUTURE PARKS

BRIDGEWATER VILLAGE

Summerlake Park
Planned for Winter 2023
Porter Road at Wood Sage Drive
407-836-6200


LAKESIDE VILLAGE

Taborfield Park
Planned for Winter 2023
Taborfield Avenue near Reams
407-254-1940


Bentonshire Park
Planned for Lake 2024
Overstreet & Bentonshire Rd
407-836-6200


SEIDEL AREA

Watermark Park
Planned for Winter 2024
Seidel Road at Summerlake Grove
407-836-6200


HICKORY NUT

Waterleigh Park

Planned for Late 2025

Atwater Bay Dr. at Lost Creek Dr.

407-836-6200



ORANGE COUNTY FL PARKS MAP
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