In the picture: Chris Barkley (Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects), Bob Buchanan (former City of Winter Garden Commissioner, District 2), Robert Whittemore (Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects), Margaret Bonko (V.P. Orlando Health/Pres. Horizon West Hospital), Tom Featherstone (Pres., Featherstone, Inc.), Kari Vargas (Pres. & CEO, AdventHealth Winter Garden), Lisa L. Bennett (City of Winter Garden Commission, District 1), Colin Sharman (City of Winter Garden Commissioner, District 4), Chloe Johnson (City of Winter Garden Commissioner, District 3 ), John Rees (City of Winter Garden Mayor), Tracy Swanson (CEO, Foundation for a Healthier West Orange), Illiana Jones (City of Winter Garden Commissioner, District 2), Jon C. Williams (Winter Garden City Manager), Laura Coar (City of Winter Garden Parks & Recreation Director), Tres Fromme (3 Fromme Design), and Steve Tarte (CPWG)

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Construction of phase two of Tucker Ranch Park and Nature Preserve in Winter Garden will commence next month. The new 25.6-acre amenity (Tucker Ranch Holistic Health, Wellness, Teaching Farm and Family Activity Center) will be carved out of the existing 209-acre park. An onsite groundbreaking ceremony for phase two of the park will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 10 a.m.

The new state-of-the-art facility will include a 5,000-square-foot retreat center for programming and classes, edible and teaching gardens, an outdoor teaching kitchen, a trail system with exercise nodes, and a greenhouse. Walking paths will connect it to the existing park’s offerings which include a playground, nature trails, picnic areas, and a canoe/kayak launch.

Estimated construction cost of the park’s improvements is $31 million. The city is working with local health and wellness partners on programming initiatives and funding opportunities. Construction of Tucker Ranch Holistic Health, Wellness, Teaching Farm and Family Activity Center is estimated to be completed in two years.

Since phase one of the Tucker Ranch and Nature Preserve opened in 2018, the converted cattle ranch estate provides a slice of “Old Florida” for the community to enjoy the park’s authentic scenery, natural vegetation, and amenities.


“Tucker Ranch will have a long-standing positive impact on the wellbeing of residents and visitors,” said Winter Garden City Manager Jon C. Williams. “To my knowledge, no other city nationwide provides such a comprehensive outlet within a natural environment to maintain or improve an individual’s physical and mental health.”


Located at 100 Avalon Road within the City of Winter Garden, Tucker Ranch Park and Nature Preserve will remain open during construction. The park is open daily 8:00 am – 6:00 pm during the months of March – October, and 8:00 am – 5:00 during the months of November – February. Admission is free and leashed dogs are welcome.

City of Winter Garden 300 W. Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787 407-656-4111