Join the Journey to Exceptional Parks!
We want to hear from you. Share your thoughts and become involved.
Parks and recreation are at the heart of our community. Our parks give us places to unwind, play, explore, and reconnect with the outdoors, while recreation programs and events help us connect with neighbors, discover new hobbies, and play sports with friends. Whether taking a stroll down Central Park, taking our kids to MLK Park playground, playing sports at Ward Park, or visiting any of our other facilities, our parks form a central part of what it means to live in Winter Park.
Now, the City of Winter Park is working on developing a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and we want you to help make our parks extraordinary. We invite you to join our upcoming parks and recreation meetings and help shape the future of these treasured spaces. Bring your ideas, your experiences, and your passion for recreation and nature. Your voice plays an essential role in keeping our parks vibrant, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.
What’s a Parks and Recreation Master Plan?
A Parks and Recreation Master Plan is a long‑term guide that helps the city plan, improve, and invest in its parks and recreation programs. The plan uses community input to identify priorities and outlines strategies for agencies to continue to create a vibrant and inclusive parks and recreation system for the future. In alignment with these goals, the City of Winter Park, in collaboration with GAI Consultants, is updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan to create a 10‑year vision for the future of the city’s parks and recreation system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is investing in our parks key to Winter Park’s future?
The City of Winter Park aims to update its Parks Master Plan every 10 years to stay responsive to changing social and demographic trends, emerging priorities, and new development. The last Master Plan was completed in 2018. Since then, park usage, and demand for facilities have evolved.
This update provides an important opportunity to reassess the parks system and invite the community to share their thoughts, needs, and vision for the future of Winter Park's Parks and Recreation.
When can we expect key milestones for the parks and recreation project to be reached?
The project kicked off in January 2026, beginning with an evaluation of the current park system and outreach to understand community needs. Using this input, the team will develop a vision, framework, and a set of recommendations for the future of Winter Park’s parks and recreation system. The plan will be completed by December 2026, with updates shared throughout the process. Be sure to come back to the website to check on our progress!
About our Parks & Recreation Department
The Parks & Recreation Department is a nationally accredited agency and has met or exceeded best practices in the ten required elements which include planning, administration, financial management, facility management, programs and services.
The Department has adopted the citywide vision statement, “Be the best place to live, work, and play in Florida for today’s residents and future generations.” Our properties contribute to that vision as well as the Florida Recreation and Parks Association tagline, “It starts in Parks!”
Our Mission
To enhance the quality of life for our community by providing outstanding parks, recreation, facilities, activities and services.
The Parks & Recreation Department was named a finalist in the 2013 National Gold Medal Awards. This national award, from the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Parks Association, recognizes excellence in parks and recreation management. Winter Park was one of four finalists nationwide in our category.
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Contact
Parks and Recreation Department
721 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789