Florida Fresh Air: Dickson Azalea Park offers a serene urban oasis

Patrick Connolly, Orlando Sentinel
·2 min read

Set among towering ancient oaks and swaying Spanish moss, Dickson Azalea Park gives visitors a small but relaxing setting for a short walk and a place to spend time in nature.

The green space is set on 3.6 acres that span three blocks north to south in between Rosearden Drive and Celia Lane. On three sides, the urban woods are bordered by Orlando’s Thornton Park neighborhood.

Dickson Azalea Park presents an ideal setting for dog walking, exercise, having lunch outdoors or catching up with an old friend. The serene space also proves popular for engagement photos and family snaps.

Benches offer the chance to sit and rest while taking in the sounds of Fern Creek, which runs the length of the park. The waterway once served as a watering hole for cattle herders.

While the cows of Florida’s yesteryear can’t be seen in today’s urban environments, the park still serves as a home to squirrels, red-bellied woodpeckers, blue jays and pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

Nearly a century ago, as the city expanded east and experienced a surge in residential growth, the historic Washington Street Bridge was built in 1926, a landmark seen in the park to this day.

The park’s namesake is Henry Hill Dickson, an Orlando businessman and advocate for the city’s beautification who passed away in 1935. A plaque near one park entrance reads: “This park was envisioned by the man who inspired the planting of azaleas in Orlando.”

Some of those azaleas can still be seen in the park as living testaments of Dickson’s work and natural decor that make the City Beautiful even more pleasing.

Important information

  • Location: 100 Rosearden Drive in Orlando

  • Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily

  • Amenities: Benches, trails, creek, dog waste bags, trash cans

  • Activities: Walking, jogging, birding, picnicking

  • Accessibility: Accessing the trails near Fern Creek requires using steps at some of the park’s access points. But the sidewalks surrounding the park and some trails can be accessed by wheelchair.

  • What to bring: Bring a snack or a book to enjoy while sitting on one of the park’s benches.

  • What not to bring: Alcohol is prohibited within the park. Skateboards and roller skates are prohibited at Dickson Azalea Park. Bikes aren’t allowed on some trails.

  • Pets: Leashed pets are welcome in Dickson Azalea Park. Owners must clean up after their pets.

  • Pro tips: Dickson Azalea Park doesn’t have restrooms or pavilions, but those amenities are available at Mayor Carl T. Langford Park, which sits just south of Central Boulevard. Parking is available at Langford Park or on some residential Thornton Park streets near Dickson Azalea Park.

  • More information: 407-246-2283 or orlando.gov

Find me on Twitter @PConnPie, Instagram @PConnPie or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.