Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Orlando Public Parks to Visit

Orlando Public Parks to Visit

By Helen Mohaim


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

Lake Eola Park

Lake Eola Park is one of the closest and preferred of the Orlando public parks. The signature of the park is a massive fountain in the heart of the lake that was installed in 1957 and refurbished in 2011. Visitors can walk the 0.9 mile sidewalk that circles the lake or lease swan shaped paddle boats to cruise on the lake. Guests can also enjoy feeding the birds and swans which make the lake their home or enjoy a gig in the outside Disney Amphitheater.

Leu Gardens

The Harry P. Leu Gardens lets visitors walk through and enjoy 50 acres of flowers and Orlando gardens. Guests will see plants and flowers that are indigenous to Florida and can be discovered in southern style gardens. There are also butterfly, bamboo and tropical stream gardens to enjoy. The Leu Gardens also feature the third third largest Camellia collection in The United States and the biggest formal rose garden found in any of the floral gardens in Florida.

University of Cennumbertral Florida Arboretum

The School of Central Florida Arboretum began as 12 acres on the east side of the developed college campus. Over time, additional acreage and tree communities have been added to the arboretum as it has progressed into a living nature observatory for staff, visitors and students. Guided natures tours through the various forested areas are offered, or visitors can enjoy the 5 hiking trails all alone. The UCF Arboretum also one of the sole gardens in Orlando that includes a disk-golf course.

Mead Botanical Garden

Only a few miles from downtown Orlando, the Mead Gardens lets vacationers enjoy an untouched natural Florida ecological system. These Orlando gardens have a wide group of animals including alligators, opossums, raccoons, turtles and tree frogs. Birdwatchers can grab a tick list at the gardens and try and identify the more than 150 species of birds which have been spotted in the garden. There additionally are nature trails, an amphitheater and a picnic pavilion for patrons to enjoy.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

20 minutes north of Orlando, vacationers can take a swim in one of the freshwater springs helping 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 animal life that live along the Florida rivers. There additionally are 2 campsites up the river that only accessible by kayak or canoe. Guests can also enjoy the nature trails for walkers and hikers, as well as animal seeing tours and exhibits on weekends.




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