With the Governor’s signature, Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla now has $2.5 Million to match Mayor Demings’ Park’s INVEST dollars and acquire what is arguably the most important piece of preservation land in the County and an additional $500,000 to make it a passive park. This parcel, owned by developer Wayne Harrod, holds historical and ecological significance for us all.

“East Orange County and I are grateful to Mr. Harrod for his change of heart over the years to preserve, not develop, this piece of Old Florida in the midst of all our growth. I am grateful to Mayor Demings for his swift action upon taking office to consider and ultimately agree to move forward with the purchase,” says Commissioner Emily Bonilla.

District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla has been steadfast and played an active role in negotiating with the developer and petitioning the Board to acquire this ecological jewel. Mr. Harrod and his team communicated with Commissioner Bonilla earlier this year and worked out a purchase price with her, and by the February 26th, 2019 BCC meeting, the wheels were in motion.

This is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve what Commissioner Bonilla described as “one of the last lands left untouched along the Little Econlockhatchee River. This is about preserving what we have left of Old Florida.”

Now that the monies are available to acquire the parcel, Commissioner Bonilla will move quickly to establish a passive park. Mr. Harrod’s team estimated the cost for a passive park at around $400K. Commissioner Bonilla will seek to add historical markers and ensure that the archeological findings on the property have a story to tell future generations.

“There are remnants of 2 bridges – one from when the Spanish owned Florida, the other from America’s Industrial Age, plus the County’s first paved road, all on the property! A passive park with trails and a kayak launch are just some ideas I envision there,” says Commissioner Bonilla. “I want to establish this area’s first and truly only passive park where residents and families can escape from the busy urban setting, imagine themselves in Old Florida, listen to nature and really just enjoy living here in Orange County.”