Click Here to view the Presentation from the recent (June 27, 2023) East Winter Garden Progress Meeting.
Click here to view the presentation from the June 2-4, 2022, East Winter Garden Charrettes.
The Opening of A Proud Heritage:
Leading Winter Garden’s Historical African American Community Into the Future
On Exhibit at City Hall February 24 – April 30, 2020
The exhibit A Proud Heritage: Leading Winter Garden’s Historical African American Community Into the Future revisits Winter Garden’s African American community 20 years after it was documented in Small Town Orange County: The Central Florida Communities of South Apopka, Bithlo, East Winter Garden, and Taft,; a project of Orange County Government and the Crealdé School of Art in Winter Park, Florida.
Pictured from left to right: Commissioner Mark Maciel, Pastor Anthony Hodge, Peter Schreyer, xx Lewis, Tosha Lewis, Don Rogers, Anthony Dyson and Captain Anthony Dawkins
The original documentary, created in 1996, highlighted East Winter Garden, a community that had been the focus of a redevelopment initiative through Orange County Government’s Targeted Community Initiatives. Their efforts utilized a citizen-based collaborative process to identify and address the needs of traditionally under-served communities.
The photographs displayed in this exhibit were taken to capture the people of the East Winter Garden community. Although each person possess a unique identity, they share the bond of having lived in this neighborhood. Not only has the Targeted Community Initiative been successful in improving services within the community; there has also been a heightened sense of civic involvement.
In 2018, the City of Winter Garden, the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, and Peter Schreyer of the Crealdé School of Art partnered to build on and update the original 1996 photo documentary. This year’s Featured Photographs showcase individuals and locations representative of East Winter Garden’s future, growth, and evolution. Looking back at the history of this proud community 20 years later and years thereafter, will inspire residents to create a stronger, unified Winter Garden.
The community members featured in this exhibit are:
· Anthony Hodge
· Don Rogers
· Anthony Dyson
· Tosha Lewis
· Sharrita Lucas
· Captain Anthony Dawkins
· Carletta Davis-Wilson, Maxey Elementary School principal
The Children’s Art was created by children from the community. The artwork is entitled We Love Winter Garden.
Lamarius Williams, Raven Williams,Treniya Williams, Kaylee Hardwick, Kason Hardwick, Heaven Givens,Johnathan Hall, Paul Cheddie, Kaidan Scott, Branden Scott, Jamari Swanson, Prynce Rodgers, Javion Gunn, Manlarsa Mack,Qualonae Murray, Emduri Morris
Tosha Lewis
In her restaurant, A Taste of Tosha
Anthony Dyson
Anthony Dyson is a member of the Dyson Family and was photographed in his home garden on 10th Street.
Anthony Hodge
Anthony Hodge was photographed in the Impact Center on Klondike Street.
THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED THE EAST WINTER GARDEN PLAN ON
MAY 24, 2018
The Community Update Meeting Will be held on March 12th
The East Winter Garden Plan will be presented for comment and feedback
The East Winter Garden Plan is Now Available!
A Vision for a Vibrant Neighborhood
Plan East Winter Garden will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of East Winter Garden's streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces. The Plan will set policies and identify specific actions to create a vibrant neighborhood for East Winter Garden following a vision defined during the Public Design Charrette held July 10th to July 14th, 2017.
Community participation will be critical to shaping the vision.
The process to create the plan will provide many opportunities for input, including hands-on community meetings and workshops, a three day open planning studio, and multiple small group conversations with stakeholders and community participants. This website will supplement in-person meetings, providing background information, project updates, and an additional way to interact with your neighbors and share your thoughts. The resulting plan will integrate all of the feedback and information gathered to achieve the vision for East Winter Garden.
