ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando city leaders have voted in favor of a $8 million makeover for Lorna Doone Park, which sits across the street from Camping World Stadium.
The city council voted unanimously for the upgrades.
"It was the only park that blacks could actually go swimming in during segregated Orlando. So that space brings back a lot of rich history for the west side," said commissioner Regina Hill.
“When I was little, this is where we hung out on Sundays after church. This is our getaway time,” said Harold Woods Jr., who was one of many college football fans at the park this past weekend.
For years, community leaders have pushed to make the park more inviting.
The tentative agreement between the city and Florida Citrus Sports calls for a $5 million contribution from the city and a $3 million contribution from Florida Citrus Sports.
The upgrades will include redoing the path around Lorna Doone Lake, building the city’s first splash pad and putting in new basketball courts, as well as a new playground and community gardens.
Renovations will also include removing a part of Rio Grande Avenue, which cuts through the middle of the park.
Dozens of residents will also help design the changes. The city hopes to complete the upgrades by the end of 2019.
Cox Media Group
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