The Ultimate Guide To Running In Winter Garden
Winter Garden is an active community with miles of wide sidewalks, quiet streets and bike paths. Families and athletes head outside regularly to enjoy the sunshine and maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many options for running in Winter Garden, and we are positive there is a perfect path for you!
The popular West Orange Trail runs right through historic downtown Winter Garden and winds through charming historic neighborhoods and impressive new developments. Whether you’re an early morning solo runner or prefer to join in with a group, you can get your run on in Winter Garden.
The West Orange Trail
The beautiful West Orange Trail spans 22 miles through many communities of Central Florida. The part that runs through Winter Garden weaves right through the middle of downtown Winter Garden. It even goes right by the beautiful homes in Covington Chase and Oakland Estates. The newly built homes in these neighbors not only provide for a scenic run, but the well-lit streets and minimal traffic make for a safe place for a run.
The traffic on the trail ebbs and flows throughout the day. In the early morning hours, it’s common to see runners getting their miles in before their workday begins. In the afternoon, the trail is a common running place for moms with strollers and people running with their dogs on their day off. After school, the trail gets busy with kids coming home from school. Since it provides a safe route, away from cars, to get home. As the temperatures drop a little and the sun goes down, the trail becomes a hot-spot for a quick after-dinner jog or brisk walk with the family.
Run Through Plant Street
A run down Plant Street takes you literally through the center of downtown Winter Garden. Under the nostalgic clock tower, around the beautiful fountain, past Scoops Ice Cream, by the splash pad, the police station and City Hall. By day, Plant Street is active with people walking, biking, visiting patio cafes and enjoying lunch at Urban Flats and The Whole Enchilada. If you like people-watching while you run, you’ll have plenty to see during a run through the downtown area of Winter Garden. By night, it’s a well lit, quiet, and safe place to see another side of Winter Garden. Families out to dinner, photoshoots happening by the fountain, and couples walking hand in hand on a date night. No matter when you lace up and head for a run through downtown Winter Garden, you’ll have plenty to see and and plenty of ground to cover.
The trail also zips by playgrounds and libraries, bike rental spots, butterfly gardens, and bridges that are completely Instagram-worthy. No matter when you run, how often you run, how far or fast you run, the West Orange Trail is one of the best parts of living (and running) in Winter Garden.
Best Neighborhoods For Running In Winter Garden
Covington Chase
Covington Chase is an ideal neighborhood for running because of the beautiful homes, easy West Orange Trail access and long, flat streets with wide sidewalks. There is a small playground and community pool. The numerous side streets enable you to change up your route without ever having to leave the neighborhood. You can easily get a mile or two within the neighborhood, but if you’re feeling good and want to keep going, the West Orange Trail runs directly through the subdivision.
Many people move to Covington Chase because of the great outdoor access. It’s easy to live an active lifestyle when the resources are right outside of your front door.
Lakeshore Preserve
Lakeshore Preserve is an exclusive gated community that is perfect for runners. It is located in the Horizon West community which is a short distance from the downtown area of Winter Garden. Being a little further away, it’s not directly off the West Orange Trail. However it still provides excellent routes for runners.
Residents can take advantage of the beautifully landscaped routes, mostly flat terrain, and minimal traffic. They can then end their run with a dip in the community’s resort-style pool. And for those who want to get their run in even during Florida’s famous afternoon thunderstorms, Lakeshore Preserve has a high-tech fitness center with plenty of treadmills. So no excuses!
Hickory Hammock & Emerald Pointe
Winter Garden is home to many luxury gated communities. Most of which don’t allow the public access to run on through, and Hickory Hammock is one of them. This large community has plenty of space to run a few miles without leaving the gates. Residents can get creative with their paths as they wind in and out of the neighborhood streets. Hickory Hammock is also a very family oriented community, which makes is a great place for parents to still get their run in even if it’s with a stroller. Plus, they can stop for a quick playdate at the park or dip in the pool!
Hickory Hammock is a unique neighborhood for many reasons. One of which is, there is an exclusive gated community within the community. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity is you score a home in Emerald Pointe. Residents of the upscale neighborhood Emerald Pointe not only have incredible running routes just steps from their front door. They also get to experience the lakeside lifestyle in breathtaking multi-million dollar homes.
Lakeview Reserve
Another popular neighborhood for running is Lakeview Reserve. Running in this modest neighborhood puts you right on Lake Apopka. When you run here, you will be able to do some nature watching at the same time since you’ll be able to spot a gator in the water (just more motivation to keep running!) Homes here have big beautiful lawns and are set on quiet roads with plenty of shade, a perfect combination for a comfortable and scenic run. The West Orange Trail runs close to it, making it easy to stay on the trail and still take advantage of the beautiful homes and lush landscaping.
Take It Up A Notch
If you’re looking to kick your run up a notch. Attempt to run the multi-level parking garage in downtown Winter Garden, or sign up for one of Winter Garden’s popular fitness and running classes. Winter Garden has a public runner’s club that schedules group runs throughout the city. They do races together, train together, and often enjoy a beer together at The Crooked Can after a good workout. The Roper YMCA is another Winter Garden place that offers plenty of classes and equipment for runners to use to mix up their fitness routines.
If you’re looking for hills, head a little further out towards Clermont, where you’ll find many new developments tucked throughout the dramatic hills and valleys. In fact, Clermont is known as the “Choice of Champions”. Athletes from all over come there to train. Runners are one of the top people who choose to train in Clermont!
Winter Garden offers everything you need to live an active and healthy lifestyle. From local foods at the Plant Street Market and other downtown businesses, to countless areas to run and workout. Winter Garden provides runners of all skill levels a beautiful place to do what they love.
Try Completing the Whole West Orange Trail
Many Winter Garden locals use the trail to train for challenging footraces, such as half and full marathons. If you’re looking for a long route to get significant miles in, the West Orange Trail spans 22 miles, so you can easily train for a big race without ever leaving the trail. Whether you’re training for a triathlon or just want to mix up your workout by getting on a bike, you can jump on the West Orange Trail for 22 beautiful miles of smooth terrain and beautiful scenery.
The Erica Diaz Team – The Ultimate Guide To Running In Winter Garden
Living in Central Florida means beautiful weather for outdoor activities year round. So, if you are a runner, grab your best running shoes because we’ve put together a guide that will take you through the best places to run in Winter Garden. Some spots are in exclusive neighborhoods, so the only way to run in them, is to live in them!
If you’re looking to buy a home in a Winter Garden neighborhood that’s perfect for running, contact The Erica Diaz Team today! We know all of the best neighborhoods for families who live active lifestyles. We look forward to connecting with you.
