Tenth Florida Trail Town Announced

The city of Winter Garden has been recognized as Florida’s newest trail town by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Greenways and Trails, making it the 10th trail town in the state.

The Office of Greenways and Trails created the Florida Trail Town program in 2018 to recognize communities that provide outstanding trail accessibility, amenities, safety, signage and to encourage community and business collaboration.

A Florida Trail Town is a community located along or in proximity to a recreational trail or a recognized trail system. Whether on a rail trail, paddling trail, equestrian trail or hiking trail, trail users can venture off the trail to enjoy the services and unique heritage of the nearby community. The town is a place where people can safely walk, bike or jog to find the goods and services they need. In a Trail Town the trail is an integral and important part of the community.

Nestled on beautiful Lake Apopka about 20 minutes west of Orlando, Winter Garden is known for its many recreational amenities, events and historical assets that make it a great place to live and visit. The Historic Downtown, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a favorite destination for West Orange residents and those traveling the award-winning West Orange Trail, which will soon be part of the 250-mile Florida Coast to Coast Trail. 

Nearby Florida State Parks include Wekiwa Springs State Park, Rock Springs Run State Reserve and Lake Louisa State Park.

Other designated trail towns include Dunedin, Titusville, Malabar, Clermont, Vilano Beach, Palatka, Inverness, Everglades City and Palatka.

This article was published in the Real Florida ℠ Connection, the Florida State Parks e-newsletter. Sign-up to get updates and stories from your state parks the first week of every month.