HORIZON WEST REGIONAL PARK
BIG PLANS ON THE HORIZON
HW REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN
Horizon West Regional Park (HWRP) is located between New Independence Parkway and Bridgewater Middle School, with the main entrance on Hamlin Groves Trail. At 200 acres, it is among Orange County's largest urban parks. With Phase 1A now open, HWRP has 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 Orange 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 (now open) and Phase 1B (in design stage). It also defines four usage zones—Active, Lake, Natural and Passive Recreation.
CONSTRUCTION PLANS AND PHASES
With Phase 1A now open to the public as of late Jan 2026, HWRP offers urban-style facilities, such as restrooms, playground, picnic area, event pavilion and parking lots. These facilities offer family friendly oasis amid the wild and natural acreage. The future
Orange County Library Branch for Horizon West will also be co-located here.
PHASE 1A DETAILS
All four zones – Active, Natural, Lake and Passive Recreation – are included in Phase 1, on which construction began in early 2024. The funding allotted for this phase was $15 million. Phase 1 provides basic infrastructure, paved access, utilities, signage and retention ponds, plus amenities:
- Two paved parking lots
- 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
FUTURE PHASES
The evolution of HWRP through its final phase may take place over decades, since each phase must be funded before construction plans can be drawn. The master plan lays out potential amenities under consideration for future phases.
These are subject to change and may include:
- Splash pad
- Third picnic shelter / pavilion
- Floating dock / fishing pier at Lake Hartley
- Additional walking paths
- Dog park
- Baseball / softball fields
- Pickleball and tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- Multi-purpose fields
- Disc golf
- Outdoor exercise stations
- Community center and performing arts stage
- Botanical garden
- Landscape restoration
- Additional parking lots, which can facilitate farmer's markets and events
VISITING HORIZON WEST REGIONAL PARK
PHASE 1A IS NOW OPEN AS OF LATE JANUARY 2026!
Hours of Operation:
Open daily 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Phone Number: (407) 254-9086
Address:
4715 Hamlin Groves Trail
Winter Garden, FL 34787
Local park enthusiast and Horizon West Magazine contributor Jerry Blank has created a detailed map of HWRP (linked below) to help guide visitors eager to enjoy the park. It started out with simple navigation for unpaved, natural trails that existed prior to start of construction and has been continually updated through the past few years.
The map now includes the location of the park’s current trail routes, the newly opened facilities, the facilities anticipated to be built over the next couple of years and much additional content for nature lovers—including the location of nearly 200 active gopher tortoise burrows.
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson will host the Horizon West Regional Park Grand Opening on Monday, February 16, 2026 (President's Day), at 10 a.m.
This free, public celebration marks a meaningful milestone in Horizon West’s history, recognizing years of anticipation for this new community space. With school closed for the holiday, families have a special opportunity to attend together and be part of a moment that helps shape the future of our growing area.
For questions, email parks@ocfl.net.
HWRP HISTORY
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 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 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.
Horizon West Magazine contributor Jerry Blank shared the following regarding the time he had spent exploring the park: "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.
ADDITIONAL INFO
For more details and artist renderings of HWRP, pick up your FREE copy of Living in 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
6865 Ficquette Road
407-254-9086
Independence Park
5849 New Independence Pkwy
407-254-1940
Summerlake Park
15570 Porter Road
407-254-1940
Summerport Neighborhood Park
14491 Bridgewater Crossings Blvd
407-254-9086
LAKESIDE VILLAGE
Bentonshire Park
7327 Bentonshire Avenue
407-836-6200
Lakeside Village Park
10820 Village Lake Road
407-254-1940
Taborfield Park
9025 Taborfield Avenue
407-254-1940
FUTURE PARKS
Please Note: Dates are Subject to Change
SEIDEL AREA
Watermark Park
Planned for 2026
Seidel Road at Summerlake Grove
407-836-6200
HICKORY NUT
Waterleigh Park
Planned for Early 2026
Atwater Bay Dr. at Lost Creek Dr.
407-836-6200
Waterleigh Park South
Planned for 2027
Water Spring Blvd at Point Rock Drive
407-836-6200
TOWN CENTER
Silverleaf Park
Planned for Date TBD
Hamlin Oasis Loop at Silver Grove Blvd
407-836-6200
