Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Winter Park public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
14 issues in parks rec with medium priority
Bloomberg Connects contract noncompliance
The city's deal to put its public art collection on the Bloomberg Connects app is dead — the company wouldn't agree to Florida requirements on indemnification, sovereign immunity, e-verify, and public records. Staff will explore the free publicartarchive.com as a substitute and check what other Florida cities using Bloomberg did about these legal issues.
Hannibal Square Catenary Lights
Hannibal Square merchants asked for overhead string lighting to signal the district is open in the evening and draw pedestrians from Park Avenue. The board funded a design phase, not construction, and wants the Heritage Center included so the historic district is part of the lighting plan.
Art on the Green 2027 sculpture exhibition
The rotating sculpture exhibition at Seven Oaks Park gets a $25,000 refresh in January — old pieces come out, three new ones come in, with a public celebration. It's free to visit year-round and has become the park's signature feature.
Relocation of The Drop to MLK Jr. Park Learning Garden
The city will spend $20,000 to buy and permanently install 'The Drop' sculpture beside the MLK, Jr. Park Learning Garden, responding to a request from Natural Resources & Sustainability. It'll be moved from Seven Oaks Park during the January sculpture rotation.
Electric Ave 2026
The fifth annual EV car show returns to Park Avenue on September 26 with 45+ vehicles, an electric school bus and boat, and a kids zone. Board members were invited to help staff the event.
Library, Parks and Recreation Service Cuts
The library's 15-week tutoring program for struggling first- through third-grade readers is showing results within four weeks and expanding to more Winter Park schools this fall. Longtime patrons also gave an endowment gift for the children's collection.
Parks & Recreation Master Plan and Objectives
Work is underway in nearly every park: MLK security lighting and a new playground, a Ward Park pavilion, dog park parking, freeze recovery plantings, and a Kraft Azalea contractor mistake that cost 5,000 square feet of sod.
Cemetery Capacity
Palm Cemetery has only 15 of 608 niches left, so a new columbarium is being built; Pineywood still has plenty of room. Fees rose 10% as the second half of a phased increase.
Advisory board restructuring and golf course oversight
Staff pitched a 'Friends of the Pines'-style nonprofit group plus sponsorships or advertising to raise private money to speed up the irrigation overhaul instead of waiting years for city capital funding.
Accessibility at Central Park restrooms
A board member believes Hannibal Square, the farmers market area, and on-street Park Avenue don't meet ADA parking requirements — possibly zero ADA spaces on Park Avenue proper. Staff will ask Public Works for a review or hire a consultant.
Seasonal closure of community center pool
Parks & Rec proposed closing the community center pool October through May and cutting Cady Way hours to about three days a week in winter, saving roughly $150,000. Lap swimmers and winter users would feel it most; youth swim teams and summer users wouldn't be affected.
Kraft Azalea Park management and nesting bird protection
The board again deferred its discussion of managing Kraft Azalea Park, where unpermitted events and crowds have caused messes and conflicts with public use. Full board participation is expected in June.
Howell Creek walking trails proposal
Resident Scott Redmon wants the city to build walking trails in the uncontroversial city-owned section of Howell Branch Park, tell the story of the two historic sawmills on Howell Creek, and eventually link a paddle trail toward the St. Johns. Board members were receptive but asked for a map and written concept; staff will convene a meeting with natural resources staff and explore RTP grants.
Open Space Business Permit revision
The city wants to tighten the definition of professional photography requiring a park permit, closing a loophole photographers exploit at busy spots like Kraft Azalea and Central Park. Action was postponed to June.