New park planned for Waterleigh South

The Orange County Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, hosted a community meeting Wednesday, Sept. 4, at Water Spring Middle School to collect public input for the new planned Waterleigh Park South.

The planned five-acre neighborhood park is located next to WSMS, southeast of the intersection of Water Spring Boulevard and Point Rock Drive. 

The park mainly is surrounded by WSMS, Water Spring Elementary School and residential uses.

The budget for the new park is about $300,000 for design and engineering and about $1.5 million for construction pending final approval.

Construction for the park is anticipated to start about halfway through 2026 and will take about a year to be completed without delays. 

A grand opening for the park is planned to take place around the end of 2027.

All residents who shared comments at the meeting expressed excitement about the new park.

However, there were myriad questions about the planned project, including topics such as park hours, park maintenance, safety and security at the park, and the cost of potential amenities desired.

The Orange County parks are open dawn to dusk, and the county maintains the park equipment and landscaping.

According to county staff, potential amenities for a neighborhood-style park, such as Waterleigh Park South, include a playground, picnic pavilion, multipurpose open space, outdoor fitness area or outdoor exercise stations, dog park, community garden, mini skate park, sand volleyball courts, basketball half-court and tennis court.

Incompatible amenities for a neighborhood park in the area would include splash pads, gym or recreation center, athletic fields and swimming pool.

Residents who wish to have a say in the planned amenities at the new park can fill out a survey created by Orange County by clicking here. The survey will close Sept. 25.

County staff said more than 100 people already have completed the survey.

Residents at the meeting expressed interest in the possibility of a pickleball court at the new park and wanted to learn more about the amenities planned for the nearby Waterleigh Park North project, as well as the amenity center planned for across the street from Waterleigh Park South, so amenities in the area are not duplicated. 

Waterleigh Park North, located west of Avalon Road along Atwater Bay Drive, is a bit further along in the process. 

A community meeting for Waterleigh Park North was held in November 2022.

The $1.2 million project is expected to be open for use by late 2025.

Planned amenities for this park include multipurpose open space, playground, picnic pavilion and half basketball court. A pavilion with two picnic tables and a water fountain are planned off Atwater Bay in the site’s high point and will take advantage of the views to the east, including launches at Cape Canaveral and the fireworks at Walt Disney World.

Orange Observer’s full story on the Waterleigh Park North community meeting can be found here.

The results of the survey and the conceptual plan for Waterleigh Park South will be presented at the next community meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 12, at WSMS.

There will be a third public meeting at a date to be determined if needed.