Winter Park City
Winter Park is a city that is less than 15 minutes away from downtown Orlando in Florida. It is a community that is home to different art museums, shops, and parks, making it an attractive location for many who are looking for a new place to move in.
Rose Garden in Central Park
If you’ve been to Winter Park, you would know that enjoying the outdoors is a way of life in this city. One of the famous parks is the Central Park that offers great weather all year round. It is ideal for those who are into jogging and fitness. The park is likewise a famous venue of live music events including the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival which is considered one of the oldest outdoor art festivals in the country. This festival showcases numerous artists from all over the world.
Lake Baldwin Dog Park
Aside from Central Park, residents flock Lake Baldwin Dog Park. As the name suggests, this park is suitable for dog owners. The other outdoor area is called Community Playground where families can relax and do some kid-friendly activities.
Lake Virginia
There are many lakes in Winter Park. This is one of the reasons why it’s an attractive option for those who are looking for a new place to live. For instance, Lake Virginia is a popular venue for various activities such as kayaking and paddle-boarding. Many also relax in the green spaces as they wait for the sunset.
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
If you are an enthusiast for the arts, Winter Park has many museums including the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art that showcases the work of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The city is also home to the Cornell Fine Arts Museum and Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens.
Winter Park Golf Club
Just like the rest of Central Florida, Winter Park has many golfing areas. These include the Interlachen Country Club, Winter Pines Golf Club, and Winter Park Golf Club.
Let’s not forget the dining options in Winter Park. It has a wide range of restaurants that offer different cuisines, whether you’re into steaks or vegan dishes.
Another reason why Winter Park is attractive for people who are looking for a new place of residence is its historic charm and architectural style. There are many Mediterranean and Spanish homes, as well as traditional American houses. There are also properties with lake views. Condominiums and townhouses near Orlando and Park Avenue are popular options as well.
If you want to move to Winter Park, one of the things that you should look into is the sinkhole situation in the area. Here are some of the things that you need to know:
Sinkhole situation around Winter Park, Orange County Florida
Historical Sinkhole Situation in Winter Park
Through the years, residents in Winter Park had seen sinkholes of different sizes. Here are some of the sinkhole incidents in the past:
- May 1981 – A sinkhole opened in Winter Park and gained international attention because of its size. Measuring 350 feet wide and 75 feet deep, the hole swallowed the home of resident Mae Rose Williams, a car dealership and five Porsches, portions of two streets, as well as the Olympic-sized swimming pool of the town. The total damages reached $4 million. According to geologist Jim Jammal, it is the largest sinkhole as a result of natural geological reasons or conditions.
The stabilized sinkhole was then turned into Lake Rose, a giant pond that was named after Williams. The appearance of this sinkhole also led to the establishment of a research institute at the University of Central Florida. It was created to assess the causes and predictability of sinkholes.
- June 2013 – A large sinkhole opened at a backyard in Winter Park and swallowed a swimming pool. The hole has a width of 50 feet and depth of 30 feet.
Florida is known to have porous ground that can lead to an occasional collapse, and sinkholes can open anytime, anywhere. In fact, sinkholes appear more frequently in Florida than any other state in the US. If you’re planning to move to Winter Park, make sure to know the sinkhole situation. No one can anticipate when or where sinkholes will occur, but it pays to be aware of how often sinkholes appear in the area so you can take the necessary measures to protect your family and property.
Before moving to Winter Park, do your research. Visit the area and ask for feedback from residents. You may consider getting sinkhole insurance if you think that the area is prone to sinkholes. Knowing the likelihood of sinkholes in the area will at least enable you to be prepared and come up with a plan should a sinkhole occurs.
If you want to know more about the sinkholes in your area, check out sinkholemaps.com, an online resource of sinkhole information in many areas in Florida. You can search sinkhole-related incidents in your area for your peace of mind.
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