Orlando has so many beautiful parks and the park surrounding Lake Davis is especially picturesque…read more I discovered this park while driving to the historic Greenwood cemetery. This park is located in the Lake Davis neighborhood where the boundaries are roughly State Road 408 on the north and Summerlin and Hampton avenues on the west and east. The southern boundary is Gore Street from Mills Avenue east to Hampton and Delaney Park Drive from Summerlin Avenue to Mills. Lake Davis takes its name from early Orlando settler James J. Davis, one of the first surveyors to arrive in the city. In the 1870s, Davis settled on land between the lake that's named for him and what's now Greenwood Cemetery founded in 1880. Davis was one of three deputy sheriffs appointed about 1871, when there were 97 registered voters in the entire county! In the early 1880s, the area around Lake Davis was a popular spot for the cows to graze that wandered freely throughout the city. Today this is a passive park that has a paved walking path around the lake. Ringing the lake are houses that have a gorgeous view of the water. While visiting I noticed several species of birds enjoying Lake Davis including a Great Blue, an anhinga drying it's wings, and several ducks. This is an ideal place to birdwatch or if you live in the neighborhood, spread a blanket and have a picnic.

This is not so much the park in the traditional sense, but rather a sidewalk around a lake. Still…read moreit is a pleasant place to walk and seems to be very popular with dog owners. Ultimately, this is a fine place to come if you live in the neighborhood.

Truly my favorite nature preserve. The boardwalk makes for nice, safe exploring with a view of the…read morelake at the end. I just discovered the more woodsy trail and couldn't believe how much there was to explore! There is a row of rocking chairs on the back that look over the woodsy area. I could spend all day here.

Great place for a stroll along the boardwalk and trail. Dog friendly, but be sure to pick up after…read moreyour pet. You can bring strollers, carts, etc. This is definitely on the longer side if your like to jog!

This park is little more than a little late a few park benches and is the center point of a a…read moredriving circle on Bumby. It is a pleasant enough park, though. I am also confident that it serves this particular neighborhood well enough. It is a great place to take the dogs out for a walk or just to enjoy a pleasant enough afternoon. This is what pretty much brought me here today. Orlando has some great parks and while this particular park can't compete with say the park at Lake Eola, it was never meant to compete with such a park. This park was designed to utilize some land that could not be otherwise used and give it a purpose and a place for a neighborhood to gather in leisure. I would say that this park succeeded in this task.

Lake Como park is a true gem in our community. For those who have the privilege to live close by,…read morethis is a place with multiple personalities. From the early morning, where you can see the sunrise through the trees and reflect on the quiet water, to the early evening where you can stand on the east side of the lake and watch the amazing colors of the sunset in the distance out west. In the middle of the day, just to walk around and get a breath of urban fresh air. There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy the view, have a picnic, do yoga, or some HIIT, or simply run around the path and try to become a local legend on Strava.

I absolutely love Martin Luther King Jr. Park and visit very often. It is incredibly well kept for…read morea public park. The grounds and bathrooms are always pristine, which really speaks to how well it's maintained. The park offers so much to do. There are basketball courts, soccer fields, tennis and pickleball courts, playgrounds, and walking trails, making it a great space for all ages and interests. It's peaceful, spacious, and perfect whether you're there to exercise, relax, or spend time outdoors. One of the most meaningful parts for me was learning about the park's history through the plaques and memorials. Taking the time to read them added real depth to the experience and made each visit feel even more impactful. This park is a true gem in the community and one I always recommend.

In 2012 the City of Winter Park decided to change the name of 23 acre, Lake Island Park to Martin…read moreLuther King Jr. Park in honor of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The park is located in the historically black west side of Winter Park in the neighborhood called Hannibal Square. One of the most beloved features of this park is the Community Playground. The castle themed playground was built by volunteers in 1987. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park is sometimes known by the nickname, Castle Park. Generations of children have grown up enjoying this playground. Other features of the park include a tranquil lake with a community built Unity Bridge over it. A half mile exercise trail runs around the perimeter of the lake. There are also two basketball courts, a baseball/softball stadium, two football/soccer fields, a multipurpose field, one lake, a recreation center, a civic center, restroom, rentable pavilion, picnic tables, and park benches. This park is the home of the Rollins College Women's Softball Team who uses the state-of-the-art softball facility in the southwest corner of the park. I found this park is the ideal destination for the Winter Park community to gather for family picnics, outdoor play, fishing from the shoreline, sports outings, or just enjoying a stroll around the pretty lake. Here visitors of all ages can reflect, relax, and connect with nature.

Lake Ivanhoe Park is extremely walkable and surrounded by great dining spots, which makes it easy…read moreto turn a park visit into a full afternoon out. The views of the lake are beautiful and really set the tone. The play structure is starting to feel a little dated, but it's still solid and well maintained. There's a working water fountain, shaded seating, and accessible swings with handicap seating, which I really appreciate. Overall, a great spot to spend time outside.

Lake Ivanhoe Park offers a great view of downtown Orlando. It is a pleasant park and obviously very…read morepopular with the residents of the surrounding neighborhood. Orlando has a lot of great parks. Probably the one with the highest profile is Lake Eola Park, and while Lake Eola Park is stunning, Lake Ivanhoe Park itself is definitely a great addition to Orlando. I would definitely recommend this particular park.

In the shadow of Highway 408 and wrapping around Lake Underhill is a cool little park…read more Is a great place to walk around and enjoy the views from the lake oh, so it helps if you can forget that 408 is literally right there. Hole in the wall, I would recommend here. It is a favorite spot for the neighborhood and once you hang out here, it is easy to see why.

I joined the Save Split Oak group for a guided hike and had a lovely visit. Highly recommend…read morechecking them out and going with the group as they are so knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, special points of interest, and any questions we had. It's a beautiful area with plenty of trails to wander and experience true Florida nature. There are many options to choose from to have the experience you're looking for for length of hike, shade level, openness, what to see, etc. Hopefully it will remain protected but definitely recommend visiting while you can.

Be careful!!! Amazing trail but my dog got bit by a snake on Friday while sniffing in the bushes…read more Do not let your dogs sniff intensely into bushes keep walking!! It was a side bush and happened in a split second. Other than that amazing trail

I entered at the Jones East Trailhead, which has plenty of parking and also has restrooms at the…read moreentrance to the trailhead. Walking the trailhead was relatively simple and relaxing. I did encounter a few other people (they were either walking like myself or on a bicycle). The path itself is somewhat narrow, but it was enough for us to pass each other with no real inconvenience. Little Big Econ State Forest is a pretty cool place to check out. Walking the path, it was easy to forget that you were just outside of a major United States city in the twenty-first century. I seek out these spots where I can walk through the trees and forget the troubles of living in a modern city in today's modern world. Little Big Econ State Forest is a cool place to seek out if you are looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of the modern world.

This state forest is about a 25 minute drive from downtown Orlando. We highly recommend it. They…read moreoffer maps at the start of the trail. So lush and peaceful. The stream along side most of the trail is beautiful. There are many benches along the path that offer a nice view of the scenery with shade. We took our pups and hiked for about 2 miles. The hikes range from 3 - 10 miles. I saw they do offer camping as well. Make sure to pack some water. It was nice to see many tamiles and couples enjoying the outdoors. We loved the variety of scenery and that it has lots of natural shade throughout the hike.