I have come to realize the depth of Winter Park’s commitment to nurturing its small-town charm. From the beginning, Winter Park’s goal has been to be the premier urban village of the region, and I believe, as a city, we have attained that goal.  

I wonder -- if Loring Chase and Oliver Chapman could see Winter Park today, what would they think? 

For insight into what they might think, we should look at A, 67; B, 86; and 3, 220. Not Bingo, but the Map Book and Pages of the Town of Winter Park that Chase and Chapman recorded in Orange County Land Records in the 1880s.  These Town Plats are available online to everyone at the Orange County Comptroller’s Website. That Town Maps from the late 1800s reference streets and landmarks so familiar to us today is a remarkable testament, not only to Chase and Chapman, but also to those who came after and added to the vision while honoring the past.   

While street names like North Park Avenue and South Park Avenue still appear on the maps, the map cannot depict the energy of the hustle and bustle of our modern town. We now enjoy business districts, churches, museums, and golf courses that were not originally platted.

So how did Winter Park get here? The people who came to Winter Park built upon the strong foundation Chase and Chapman laid for us.  They created the tree canopy that shades our lawns and streets.  Because someone thought of it and others believed in it, today you and I enjoy it.   

Another example is the Sidewalk Art Festival. For over 60 years, Winter Parkers have enjoyed the work of internationally acclaimed artists. Someone thought of it, others believed in it, and today we enjoy it.