The first is Dickson Azalea which was originally a watering hole for cattle ranchers and was donated to the City in 1924 by State Senator Walter Rose. Col. H H Dickson was an Orlando business man and civil leader who planted azaleas across the City of Orlando, and you can find plenty of them here – it really is a sight to see them in the springtime😊
There is a small stream that trickles through the park, and various bridges cross over it. To get to the park itself there are some stairs to climb in places as it is quite a drop down. There is also a white road bridge that you can walk under in the middle of the park. It was constructed in 1926 and is of a south Florida design. There was once a garden club here and the park has been maintained through the Works Progress Administration.
Across the road is Langford Park, which was named after Mayor Carl T Langford – a WWII veteran and Orlando’s longest serving mayor. He helped acquire land for Orlando International Airport and was mayor when Walt Disney arrived.
This park is more of a family park with a really neat small suspension bridge and playground. There are green lawns and shady mature oaks together with basketball & tennis courts, grills and gazebos for rent.
Both parks offer a quiet oasis in the hubbub and excitement of Orlando and the theme parks😊
The address for Langford Park (which has easiest parking) is 1808 E Central Boulevard Orlando, FL 32803