Bob Deakin Short Stories

Lake Eola Park is one of Orlando’s most cherished landmarks, home of the band shell amphitheater, the Farmer’s Market and many of the town’s most storied events long before Walt Disney ever flew over swampland in Central Florida.

The wide, lighted, paved path around the lake covers about a mile and is ideal for walking, running and gazing at the water and the tall buildings huddled around it. Along the way is a large playground, Japanese Pagoda, gardens, foot bridges, several areas for concerts and theatrical events, lots of space – both grass and paved, the Relax Grill restaurant, swan boat rides and permanent restroom facilities on each end of the lake.

The park is not ideal for serious runners as there are far too many people, strollers and other obstacles to break the rhythm and possibly hinder the safety for all involved. One obstacle is parking. Public parking is available nearby, across the street in all directions, but the walk to them is long enough to make it a chore, not to mention paying for the privilege to find a dark, lonely spot. Free parking is available on the east end of the park and surrounding streets but the odds of finding an available spot are about the same as winning the next 10 kilometer race.

For runners who live or work downtown, it is an ideal place to get in a few miles, take a break and go home or back to work if they have that luxury. If there is a concert at the shell, the Farmers’ Market, a road race or other event taking place, the park is a great place for a long walk with friends, with plenty of options to dine on location, nearby in the center of town or to the east in Thornton Park. When Lake Eola is bustling with activity, there are few places in Downtown Orlando more enjoyable on a nice day.

Currently, the Centennial Fountain is down for repair, and the circular orb looks strangely alien in the middle of the round lake. It was struck by lightning this past September, which necessitated long-awaited repairs both technical and cosmetic. The European-inspired fountain was originally constructed in 1957 to celebrate Orlando’s 100-year anniversary, and it has been the symbol of Orlando on magazine covers, newscasts and postcards ever since. It is an iconic image not to be forgotten and without question makes the atmosphere at Lake Eola.

With regret for any perceived offense to the City, a major downside to visiting Lake Eola is some of the other images captured there. It inspires the mantra of visiting of a major urban area: keep your eyes straight ahead and don’t talk to strangers. There is a police presence, and the park is typically populated enough to prevent problems, but the feeling can be unsettling, particularly to women and children. A recent visit provided witness to open drug use under one of the trees and heckling of passersby from a small gathering of visibly intoxicated, disheveled men around several benches.

The park is beautiful and obviously cared for by diligent workers and residents tending to the gardens, landscaping, structures and wildlife. The City is obliged to keep the park open to everyone, and officials have worked very hard and endured a lot to keep it that way, but unfortunately it is beyond their control to keep everyone in line. It is a large urban area, and people will be people, but the atmosphere can take an occasional hit as a result.

Lake Eola Park is located at 195 N. Rosalind Avenue, about one mile east of Interstate 4 off Exit 83. Be prepared to search for parking, and perhaps make a day of it when visiting another area of Downtown Orlando. The Orlando Public Library is just across the street and the Orange County Regional History Center is nearby. All in all, Lake Eola is a wonderful place for walks, strolls and runs when the time is right.

Originally published on Examiner.com Orlando in 2009

Copyright 2009

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