Winter Garden
The beautiful town of Winter Garden is one of Central Florida’s most popular and fastest growing areas. Located on beautiful Lake Apopka, Winter Garden, a former citrus-growing enclave, is home to nearly 40, 000 residents. Its close proximity to downtown Orlando and to Florida’s Turnpike, make it an ideal location to stay close and still get away from it all.
Community
The Historic Downtown is the heart and soul of the Winter Garden community. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, its recent rejuvenation has provided a catalyst for the growth which the whole area has experienced. The exponential growth was recognized by Forbes.com which recently ranked the area as one of Florida’s fastest growing suburbs. The area has become a cultural hub for Southwest Orange County with the introduction of a new Art Center and Downtown Pavilion, which joined the already established Garden Theater. Winter Garden also boasts one of the top farmer’s markets in the Central Florida area. The market is held every Saturday and features live music, local foods, and entertainment for the whole family—furry ones included.
Education
Winter Garden is home to several public school options including Whispering Oak Elementary School, Tildenville Elementary School, Dillard Street Elementary School, Lake View Middle School, Sunridge Middle School, Bridgewater Middle School and West Orange High School. Additionally, there are two museums operated by the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation; The Heritage Museum is located in the Downtown district and features over 5,000 artifacts showcasing the history of Central Florida. The Central Florida Railroad Museum houses exhibits documenting the impact of the railroad industry on the development of Florida. There is also a branch of the Orange County Library System which provides various educational programs for adults and children.Recreation
It’s hard to escape the pull of the nearby theme parks and attractions, but Winter Garden manages to provide an oasis of tranquility for its residents and visitors. The centerpiece of Winter Garden’s outdoor activities is the gorgeous West Orange Trail. This award-winning trail feature 36 miles of paved trail which is perfect for biking or walking and is part of the soon-to-be-completed 250 mile Coast-to-Coast Trail. The trail abuts numerous parks along its path including Lake Brim Park, Oakland Nature Preserve, and Chapin Station and also has a parallel trail for equestrian enthusiasts. Newton Park, on the shores of Lake Apopka, is a perfect place for a picnic or a sunset stroll and the Tucker Ranch is developing an additional park with canoeing, camping, and a working farm. There are also several public pools and parks, including a downtown splash pad, for residents and visitors to help to beat the strong Florida summers. Winter Garden hosts several flagship annual events throughout the year including April’s Spring Fever in the Garden, October’s Music Fest, and December’s Light Up Winter Garden.
Business/Economic
Winter Garden is booming on every level. The new Plant Street Market and Crooked Can Brewery have opened in the downtown area and there is a new Solar Bears (Orlando’s minor league hockey team) training facility being built in the area as well. Additionally, Florida Hospital has started construction of the first phase of their new health campus. This campus will consist of 95, 000 square feet of medical office space and bring hundreds of jobs to the area. There is also a planned premier mixed use business park planned for a new exchange on SR 429. With all of this growth, and much more planned, it is not hard to see why Winter Garden is an ideal location for business owners and entrepreneurs to relocate and set up shop. Whether one is looking for a convenient location or steady client base, Winter Garden will certainly be able to accommodate those needs.
Real Estate
There is something for every taste in Winter Garden when it comes to real estate and the list of options just keeps expanding. Offering one of the lowest millage rates in all of Orange County, Winter Garden has become an extremely desirable place to live and work. There are more than eleven new residential projects planned including Black Lake Reserve, Avalon Reserve, Waterside on Johns Lake, Oakland Park, and many more. Winter Garden offers something that many other areas of Orange County cannot—room to expand.
Whether one is looking for an investment opportunity or a place to put down roots, Winter Garden is a perfect mix of small town, advanced development and forward thinking. With a thriving commercial district, a historic downtown, and a diversity of housing options, there is sure to be something that will suit every purpose in Winter Garden.