ORLANDO, Fla. — A group of Orlando resident have joined together to protect and improve green spaces for a healthier Orlando.
The group is called the Orlando Land Trust and for their first project they are working to create a new and greener entrance to Lake Eola.
For this project the Orlando Land Trust is working with The Trust for Public Land in order to purchase the property on the southwest corner of Lake Eola Park on Rosalind and Central.
According to Ted Haddock, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Orlando Land Trust, “Although we love Lake Eola Park and there are so many great things about it, there really isn’t one gateway into it. This corner is the prime spot. There is easy access and it faces the downtown business core.”
According to the Orlando Land Trust website, by the end of April the group has raised over one million dollars towards buying the property.
To continue with the City of Orlando’s Downtown Vision Plan which recommends a step-down approach to building heights from the center of the city to the Lake Eola Park, the City of Orlando voted to match funds.
According to the City of Orlando’s website, on Monday, June 1st, the Orlando City Council voted on the Community Redevelopment Agency funding recommendation approving an equal match with the Orlando Land Trust for a private/public partnership.
The Orlando Land Trust says that with matching fund provided by the city they only have $595 thousand remaining to complete the purchase of the property.
The Orlando Land Trust website also says that that Community Redevelopment Agency will provide the approved funds at closing when the title will be transferred to the CRA. The Orlando Land Trust will make sure that the donated land will be deed restricted and be used as public park space in perpetuity.
Ultimately the goal is that the commercial building currently on site will be replaced with an open green space that will become a new and beautiful gateway to Lake Eola Park.
As per the Orlando Land Trust website, Commissioner Patty Sheehan, whose district includes Lake Eola Park, has contributed $50 thousand dollars toward the effort.
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