In 2021, the Orlando Land Trust, in collaboration with the City of Orlando and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), purchased the property at the corner of Rosalind Avenue and Central Boulevard to expand Lake Eola Park. This acquisition aligned with the DTO Action Plan, a long-term vision to enhance downtown Orlando’s public spaces and ensure a more walkable, vibrant, and connected urban core.
Earlier this month, Orlando Land Trust leaders helped break ground on another transformative initiative—the Grandmother’s Legacy of Love Butterfly Garden. Designed as an act of gratitude for the public support received in acquiring the additional park space, this new feature will further beautify Lake Eola Park and contribute to downtown’s continued revitalization. The garden will be landscaped to seamlessly blend with the rest of the park, reinforcing the city’s commitment to preserving and enhancing green spaces.
Once completed, the sculpture and butterfly garden will be located between the Sperry Fountain and the walkway surrounding the lake, creating a peaceful retreat for visitors. The city aims to open the new space this fall, with Orlando Land Trust co-founders Lynn Long and Eugenia Sefcik joining in the celebration.
As part of their broader campaign, the Orlando Land Trust founders spearheaded a fundraising initiative, appealing to grandmothers invested in safeguarding Orlando’s quality of life for future generations. The result is a tribute to over 400 grandchildren—many of whom are fifth-generation Orlandoans—whose grandmothers contributed to making this vision a reality.
This project represents more than just an expansion of Lake Eola Park; it reflects the big ideas outlined in the DTO Action Plan—a great park with exquisite experiences everyday.