Lake Eola Park

512 East Washington Street
Orlando FL 32801

Phone: 407-246-2827

Lake Eola Park is a popular destination in the downtown area, with many people taking advantage of the beautiful surroundings to walk at lunch or in the evenings. The sidewalk that circles the lake is .9 miles in length, making it easy for visitors to keep track of their walking or running distances. Other activities available to park visitors include renting ($10 for ½ hour) swan-shaped paddle boats, feeding the live swans and other birds inhabiting the park, being paddled around the lake on a romantic gondola cruise (www.gondola.com), seeing a concert or a play in the Walt Disney Amphitheater, watching the children play in the playground, grabbing a bite to eat at The Terrace on Lake Eola or relaxing amid beautiful flower beds and a spectacular view of Orlando’s skyline. Pictures were donated by Tom Hirtreiter, Deltona Lakes Digital Photo.

History

Lake Eola Park was established in 1888 when the first parcel of land, the first of many that were donated to the City of Orlando by several different families. Lake Eola is actually a sinkhole lake like many of the lakes in central Florida. The actual sinkhole is located north of its signature fountain and goes to a depth of approximately 80 ft. Lake Eola Park since 1892 when it was officially established as a park has been through many changes. At various times there has been a zoo, a horse race track, tennis courts, and a pier with a dance area and music broadcast by a local radio station. The first band shell in the park was built in 1910 and since then three others have built in the same location. The first signature Lake Eola fountain was installed in 1912, by Mayor Sperry at a cost of $10,000, since then a second fountain was installed for approximately $350,000 in 1957. The total acreage of the park is approximately 43 acres of which 23 acres is water.