Honored to be recognized with a Communicator Award of Distinction and with a Charlie Award by the Florida Magazine Association.
HORIZON WEST REGIONAL PARK
BIG PLANS ON THE HORIZON
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. By late 2025, HWRP will have 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 (currently under construction) 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 construction underway, HWRP will soon have urban-style facilities, such as restrooms, playground, picnic area, event pavilion and parking lots. The future Orange County Library Branch for Horizon West will also be co-located here.
These facilities will be a family friendly oasis amid the wild and natural acreage.
PHASE 1A DETAILS
All four zones – Active, Natural, Lake and Passive Recreation – will be included in Phase 1. The funding allotted for this phase is $15 million. Already underway as of early 2024, Phase 1 will provide 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
As of March 2025, the phase is about 70% complete, with full completion expected by mid-to-late 2025.
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
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Today, HWRP is closed for construction of Phase 1A. Tentative timelines for completion of this phase extend to mid-to-late 2025.
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."
GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY - FEBRUARY 2024
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson invited the public to attend the Horizon West Regional Park Groundbreaking on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
Those in attendance not only witnessed the historic groundbreaking ceremony, but they also had the opportunity to hear from our local government officials and representatives from Orange County Parks and Recreation Division.
The event was captured by Orange County's government information channel, Orange TV, and can be seen below.
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
With Phase 1 construction underway, local park enthusiast Jerry Blank has created a detailed map of HWRP (linked below) to help guide visitors eager for the park's re-opening.
In addition to the park's natural trails—which Jerry had mapped before the park closed for construction—the updated map now highlights the locations of Phase 1A facilities, both completed and currently under construction. Features being built this year are marked with colored symbols for easy reference.
Potential future Phase 1B facilities are shown in gray, based on a concept plan presented by Orange County Parks and Recreation during the park’s groundbreaking ceremony in February 2024. However, the final size and placement of these future facilities will not be determined until the county opens bids for Phase 1B, possibly in 2026.
SPRING 2025 PROGRESS UPDATE
The pace of construction has been steady at HWRP! As of March 2025, Phase 1A is at about 70% complete.
The playground and restrooms are already completed and nicely landscaped. It features a large play structure covered by three overhead shade sails. Like other Orange County Parks, the playground is surrounded by a four-foot gated fence.
The restrooms include men's room, women's room, family restroom, drinking fountains and a bottle filler.
The picnic shelters are not built yet. They’re waiting for a concrete contractor to pour the base slabs. In the meantime, sod-laying crews are working to cover up many acres of bare sand left by prior excavating and grading work.
The streets, sidewalks and light poles are all in place, giving the park a feeling of a neighborhood hub just waiting to welcome its first visitors.
IMPORTANT NOTES!
Please remember that although great progress is being made, these amenities are not yet operational and the park remains closed for construction. Plans call for Phase 1A completion in mid-to-late 2025.
Additionally, road construction on Hamlin Groves Trail between HWRP entrance and The Blake at Hamlin will begin soon. Drivers traveling in this area should exercise caution, especially in areas of decreased visibility due to the curved path of Hamlin Groves Trail.
ADDITIONAL INFO
For more details and artist renderings of HWRP, pick up your FREE copy of 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
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
LAKESIDE VILLAGE
Bentonshire Park
Planned for Spring 2025
7327 Bentonshire Avenue
407-836-6200
SEIDEL AREA
Watermark Park
Planned for Late 2025
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
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