Location: Oakland to Apopka, Florida
Trail Length/Surface: 22 miles, paved (asphalt 14' wide)
Phase I - extends 5 miles from the Lake County line to Winter Garden
Phase II - runs 14 miles from Winter Garden to US441 in Apopka
Phase III - extends 2.7 miles from downtown Apopka to Welch Road
Directions and Access:
Access is available at numerous points along the trail "Outposts" and "Stations" provide ample parking. See map for locations. Below are two popular access points.
Killarney Station (mile 0)
From Orlando, take SR 50 west past Winter Garden. After you pass the Florida Turnpike, look for Killarney Station on your right near the county line between Orange and Lake counties. Bike and In-line skate rentals available. (407) 877-0600
Winter Garden Station (mile 5)
From Orlando, take SR 50 west to 9th Street in Winter Garden. Take a right (heading north) until you reach CR 438 (Plant Street). Take a left, and head west until you reach Winter Garden Station.
Bike and In-line Skate Rentals - Available at Killarney Station Phone: (407) 877-0600
Activities: Walking, jogging, picnic areas, biking, equestrian, rollerblading. The equestrian trail, which begins at Clarcona Horseman's Park (mile 15), parallels the paved trail for 10 miles.
Facilities: The trail's "stations" are more full-featured facilities while "outposts" provide limited amenities. Rest shelters, water fountains, rest rooms and cold drinks at all "Station" stops and plenty of opportunities for water and food.
Admission: none
Hours of Operation: Summer: 8am - 8pm; Winter: 8am - 6pm; Monday - Sunday
Contact: Orange County Parks and Recreation Department
West Orange Trail - Chapin Station, 501 Crown Point Cross Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Phone: 407-654-5144 Website
Overview:
Undertaken by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department, the West Orange Trail was funded with a combination of state funds (Preservation 2000) for the acquisition and preservation of the land. The county made an outlay of funds for the project development, which was subsequently reimbursed by Federal ISTEA funds. Five communities were involved in the planning in order to ensure that residents felt comfortable with such details as the trail's alignment with private property, and the preservation of favorite trees.
This world-class rail-trail, which travels through the communities of Winter Garden and Apopka, offers a rewarding experience and excellent facilities for the visitor. While all rail-trails function as public spaces, the West Orange Trail takes this notion a step further by creating trailheads that are divided into "stations" and "outposts." Stations offer full amenities such as restroom facilities, water fountains and benches while an outpost trailhead may simply offer access to the trail. The Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating public places that build communities, notes that on the West Orange Trail, the "uniquely designed signs at the entrance to each community give trail users a sense that they have entered a new community and a new place." This sense of place in a rapidly developing area makes the West Orange Trail a particularly valuable asset to this area of central Florida.
Among the highlights along the trail are a xeriscape/butterfly garden about a mile east of the Oakland Outpost, the Winter Garden Historical Museum and some picturesque views of Lake Apopka. The trail also provides access to and from Clarcona Horseman's Park, offering equestrians a staging area for their visit. The constant changes in scenery and the relaxed atmosphere of the towns along the way make this a great ride.
The West Orange Trail runs through both suburban and urban areas and is used by 40,000 to 50,000 people per month. The trail has won several awards, including one from the National Department of Transportation as one of 25 of America's Best Enhancement Projects. Someday the West Orange Trail will be a part of the planned 200-mile regional connection known as the Central Florida Loop. The nearby trails that the West Orange will connect to are the Lake Minneola Scenic Trail to the west and Rock Springs Kelly Park to the north. Funding for this rail-trail came from both the federal government and the state of Florida.
