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November 9, 2018An Inside Look At Winter Garden’s New Addition: Tucker Ranch
It’s no surprise that the family-friendly city of Winter Garden has a multitude of parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas to keep local families busy. There are shaded playgrounds dotted all along the West Orange Trail, beautiful spots in Oakland and modern play places in the hills of Clermont. And as temperatures drop and it begins to feel a little more like fall, Winter Garden families are spending more time outside, which makes it a great time to check out the city’s newest park: Tucker Ranch.
Tucker Ranch is a spacious park located right off of Avalon Road in Winter Garden. It covers 209 acres and, when it is complete, will feature walking trails, exploration opportunities and a handful of conversation and preservation efforts that will directly impact the community. It’s easy to miss from the road, as there isn’t a big flashy sign to mark the entrance point, but this adds to the quaint and almost hidden feel of the entire park. There is, however, the historic stone and brick archway at the entrance of Tucker Ranch, the same one that once marked the entrance to the West Orange Country Club. Once you turn onto Tucker Road, you follow a wide two-way road past large green pastures and bending oak trees and come up onto a stunning wooden playground nestled under giant trees.
The Playground
A small wooden bridge leads from the parking lot to the playground, and the play equipment is surrounded by Adirondack chairs, perfect for parents who want to sit in the shade while kids play. There are kid-size chairs too, perfect for kids to catch their breath or enjoy a snack in the shade. The ground is covered in fresh mulch, and tall trees create a canopy over the entire playground. The wooden climbing structures give kids plenty to scale and explore, and the park features wooden spinning seats, climbing ropes, balance beams, and swings. A small wooden playhouse is a great place to tuck away for hide and seek, and the monkey bars are the perfect addition to a kid-inspired obstacle challenge. American Ninja Warrior, anyone?
The playground has a separate concrete building for bathrooms, and two massive pavilions with picnic tables underneath. These shaded spots would be a great place to host a playdate or birthday party. One complaint about many local playgrounds is the lack of shade and seating, but Tucker Ranch definitely doesn’t have this problem. The sturdy chairs surround the playground so parents can stay close to their playing kids, and the giant trees and pavilions provide plenty of reprieve from the sun.
Across the parking lot is a large green field and grassy path. The path leads to a wooden bridge which then transitions into a beautifully pathway lined with gorgeous native trees. This gravel path has tall trees on both sides and leads to a large partially wooded area, and eventually into the area of the park designated for primitive camping. There are 209 acres of land to explore, more land than all of Winter Garden’s parks combined!
The Future Of Tucker Ranch
There are plans for Tucker Ranch to feature a kayak and canoe launch ramp and a 12-acre sustainable working farm. This farm will work based on eco-friendly principles and eventually produce fresh vegetables and fruits for the local area and be sold at the local Farmer’s Market. While Tucker Ranch will serve as an excellent place for families to play, it will serve a more significant purpose in conversation and preservation efforts. Tucker Ranch will also be the home of the Institute of Health and Nutrition at Tucker Ranch, a collaboration of the City of Winter Garden and UCF. This state of the art institute will feature healthy living classes lead by doctors and dietitians, cooking classes, a one-acre greenhouse, and both indoor and outdoor kitchens.
Living Near Tucker Ranch
Tucker Ranch fits right in with the gorgeous real estate and impressively gated communities in the area. This expansive recreational area is just minutes from waterfront real estate in the affluent John’s Lake Pointe Community, and a short drive from the impressive single family homes in Oxford Chase.
John’s Lake Pointe
Homes in John’s Lake Point are tucked away on quiet streets and cul-de-sacs, and provide families with luxury living in Winter Garden’s most sought after areas. Homes in this family-friendly community come in a range of sizes and styles, and give owners access to a state of the art clubhouse, tennis court and tropical pool. Waterfront homes in this affluent neighborhood average between $500-600K and come with upscale amenities to cater to the busy family.
Oxford Chase
Nearby, families are falling in love with homes in Oxford Chase. A Mattamy Homes subdivision, Oxford Chase features a collection of 3-6 bedroom homes that focus on open floor plans, careful attention to detail and expert craftsmanship. With price-tags starting in the mid 300’s, these custom homes take luxury living to the next level. Located minutes from Sunridge Elementary and a short drive to downtown Winter Garden, this up and coming neighborhood combines large lots and luxury homes with that small town feel.
Living in neighborhoods like these means being close to the West Orange Trail, Historic Downtown Winter Garden and the Plant Street Market.
It’s safe to assume that Tucker Ranch will serve as the backdrop for family photos, birthday parties and outdoor events in the Winter Garden community for generations to come. It will be the hidden gem in Winter Garden where locals can get together on weekends, after school and for special events. Tucker Ranch is much more than a playground, campsites, walking paths and beautiful scenery. It’s one of the biggest recreational projects Winter Garden has ever undertaken and will radically improve the way locals connect with the community.
Erica Diaz Is Your Winter Garden Realtor
If you’re ready to put roots down in Winter Garden, the Erica Diaz team can help you find the home and the community that fits your lifestyle. With a local knowledge of the community and years of experience in the real estate market, Erica and her team know and love Winter Garden, and can make the home buying (or selling) process easy and stress free!
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[…] Tucker Ranch Park and Nature Preserve – A hidden gem and one of Winter Garden’s newest parks and nature preserves is a favorite because of the overgrown Oak trees and nature trail. […]