Lake Eola Park

In downtown Orlando, public green space is incredibly rare—with little to no room left for such opportunities. But around the perimeter of Lake Eola—at the heart of downtown—Lake Eola Park offers a much-needed reprieve from the concrete jungle.

In 2008, Trust for Public Land pursued five lots alongside the park, adding to it about 1.35 acres—considered a substantial amount of land for this area. TPL helped buy and manage the land until the city acquired it in the fall of 2013. Down the line in 2021, an opportunity arose to acquire an additional 0.12 acres, which TPL facilitated, further expanding the green footprint of Lake Eola Park. This land’s value was extremely high, and developers had plans to erect multiple high-rises at the time. Instead, this land is preserved for years to come—thanks to funding raised privately from passionate Orlando citizens and businesses.

Lake Eola is a cherished place to gather, recreate, and relax in Orlando. Its 0.9-mile walking trail is popular among locals and visitors alike, and the abutting green space is well-loved for exercise, events, and more.