Continue to Celebrate Orange County Parks and Recreation's 100 Years in 2025:
It's Just the Beginning!
Follow us on Twitter: @OrangeCoParksFL
and on Orange County, Florida Government’s Facebook events.
Orange County Parks and Recreation has the following fun events and community meetings:
Take the Orange County Scavenger Hunt Challenge, Now Through March 31!
- In 1824 Mosquito County was established, covering a vast area that encompassed much of eastern Florida. Its territory included what are now Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Marion, Martin, Seminole, Osceola, Orange, Lake, Polk and Palm Beach Counties. To celebrate this 200-year anniversary, Orange County Parks and Recreation has created a Scavenger Hunt Challenge of historic markers, plaques and information for curious individuals and families to learn about local details of the County's past.
Click here to print your copy of the map and 26 questions. We hope you will visit these places – just copy the longitude and latitude to map each location and get directions. Then visit to stand on the ground where each site's history was made.
Here are the contest rules: The Scavenger Hunt Challenge is open through March 31, 2025. Those who correctly answer at least 23 of 26 questions will receive by U.S. mail a printed voucher for a free one-day entry to either Orange County Parks and Recreation’s Kelly Park or Moss Park for a single vehicle with up to eight people. Tickets expire September 30, 2025. Tickets shall not be redeemable at Kelly Park if daily capacity is reached. Must be age 18 or older to enter. Print the list and include the number of each question with your answers. Print name, street address, city, zip code, email and phone number and email answers to Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net. Limited to one entry per family.
FREE Fort Christmas Barnyard Banter: What We Read, March 15
- All ages are welcome to join in the new Barnyard Banter program at Fort Christmas Historical Park on Saturday, March 15, from 1-2 p.m.! This month’s free event: What We Read, a talk on some of the written histories of FLorida . Visit Fort Christmas Historical Park for more information. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call the park's staff: 407-254-9310.
Shingle Creek Trail Phase 4 Community Meeting #3, March 4
- The Orange County Parks and Recreation Division and District 6 Commissioner Mike Scott invite you to attend the third in-person community meeting to discuss survey results for Shingle Creek Trail Phase 4 on Tuesday, March 4, 6-7 p.m. at Barnett Park. Learn about connecting our Pine Hills Trail to the south with this new segment, across Colonial Drive / State Road 50, to the City of Orlando's segment of the Shingle Creek Trail and beyond! Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call Parks Marketing 407-836-6257.
Silverleaf Park Community Meeting #1, March 6
- The Orange County Parks and Recreation Division and District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson invite you to attend the first in-person community meeting for the five-acre Silverleaf Park on Thursday, March 6, 6-7 p.m., at Hamlin Middle School, 16025 Silver Grove Blvd., Winter Garden. Visit the Silverleaf Park web page to take the survey for possible amenities and for more information. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call Parks Marketing 407-836-6257.
FREE 13th Annual Mayor's Jazz in the Park, March 8
- Orange County Parks and Recreation will celebrate the 13th annual Mayor’s Jazz in the Park on Saturday, March 8, 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., at Cypress Grove Park. This is a FREE event (no tickets or reservations required) emceed by jazz personality Yvonne Loggins-Coleman, with support provided by WUCF 89.9 FM. Guests should bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets, or purchase from food trucks. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call Parks Marketing: 407-836-6257.
Here's the amazing line-up of talented national and local performers:
- Jones High School Alumni Band
- Naomi Joy Music
- Will Patrick Band
- Best in Brass: The Yo Cats
- Divas of Jazz
- Dayve Stewart and Band
- Orlando Sanchez & The Latin Jazz Tribe
- Internationally-known Featured Artist Nat Adderley Jr. Quartet
Community and service (non-profit or not-for-profit only) organizations that would like to staff a table to provide information to the community can email parks@ocfl.net to request the Service Organization Participation Form.
FREE Monthly Senior Fish4Fun Event at Renaissance Senior Center!
- Orange County Parks & Recreation and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission join together to bring you Senior Fish4Fun for ages 55 and older at Renaissance Senior Center, 3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. This is a once-a-month free catch-n-release fishing event! Fishing poles and bait provided while supplies last, or participants can bring their own fresh-water fishing gear. Questions? Call Renaissance Senior Center 407-254-9070 or email parks@ocfl.net.
Here's the monthly event schedule:
- Thursday, March 27
- Tuesday, April 15
- Thursday, May 22
- Tuesday, June 17
- Thursday, July 17
- Tuesday, August 19
- Thursday, September 18
- Tuesday, October 21
- Thursday, November 20
FREE Fort Christmas Bluegrass in the Park, April 5
- Bluegrass in the Park returns! This is a free event on Saturday, April 5 from 9:45 a.m. - 4 p.m., at Fort Christmas Historical Park in Christmas. Bring chairs, blankets and a picnic or purchase from food trucks. This is a free event, open to the public. Visit Fort Christmas Historical Park for more information. Questions? Email parks@ocfl.net or call the park: 407-254-9310.
Here's eventline-up:
- 9:45 a.m. Opening by MC Steve Kane, National Anthem and Boy Scouts present Flags
- 10 a.m. Sandy Back Porch
- 11 a.m. The Canada Brothers Reunion
- 12 p.m. Penny Creek Bluegrass Band
- 1 p.m. Sandy Back Porch
- 2 p.m. The Canada Brothers Reunion
- 2:50-3:10 p.m. BBQ & Bake Awards
- 3:10 p.m. Penny Creek Bluegrass Band
- 3:50 p.m. Closing by MC Steve Kane