Green spaces are catalysts. They magnetize people and become conduits for community connections. Green spaces enliven and strengthen our city and neighborhoods, making them more attractive places to live, work, play, and thrive. By providing beautiful places to gather, parks and open spaces spark and sustain important interactions between people and the bond with their place. When people enjoy where they live, opportunities follow.
Green spaces improve our physical and psychological health by encouraging exercise and offering tranquility, relaxation, and a refuge from the hustle and bustle, or simply an opportunity to people watch. Parks and plazas can become a city’s signature attractions, places to host organized events such as festivals, concerts, and athletic events. Orlando’s climate provides us with even more potential for outdoor spaces to play a vital role in activating our downtown all year long.
Lake Eola Park is the heart of DTO, an open space anchor, a vibrant centerpiece, and a social hub. We need more places like this. When we create more, we improve the quantity and quality of outdoor spaces and activities, which also increases downtown’s magnetic effect and makes it a more livable and inviting place for all.
We will show the world what it means to be an awesome outdoor city by:
- Creating a well-defined and connected network of parks, plazas, recreation, play areas, and community gathering spaces, accented by lighting, art, and other amenities to enhance the experience.
- Developing spaces for community gathering and unstructured play, stages for performances, art plazas, playgrounds, water features, and facilities suitable to host recreational sports leagues.
- Conceiving outstanding walking and bicycling opportunities that connect neighborhoods, businesses, and arts and cultural destinations.
View the entire Project DTO Vision Plan
