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Participate in Your City

There are many different ways you can participate in your City government.  Here are some options for you to consider: 
 
Volunteer to be on an advisory board.  If you are interested, you can fill out the Board Interest Form and engage in local affairs.
  
Sign up for one of the many classes offered by the City of Winter Garden Parks and Recreation Department.
 
Attend City meetings. Join us in the City Hall Commission Chambers. Check out the calendar for upcoming meetings & events.

*The City has resumed in-person meetings. In the event you are unable to attend, there may be an option to listen remotely via GoTo Webinar. Please check the individual meetings here to see if this an option for the meeting you would like to attend.

Make a Difference in Your Community

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The City of Winter Garden is currently seeking volunteers 
for ALL Boards and Committees

Interest Forms Available here:
Board Interest Form

or come see us at City Hall
300 W. Plant Street
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
Or call us at (407) 656-4111 (Ext. 2297)

Farmers Market 13^th Birthday Celebration

There are a number of U.S. Small Business Administration COVID-19 relief options to help businesses recover from losses incurred from the COVID-19 pandemic. The programs include the following:

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) -- available to small businesses until remaining funds are exhausted

Restaurant Revitalization Fund – available to restaurants, caterers, bars, bakeries, breweries/microbreweries, and other food and beverage entities

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant – available to museum, theater, live performing arts and venue operators, as well as to talent representatives and theatrical producers

COVID-19 Targeted EIDL Advance – available to businesses in low-income communities

SBA Debt Relief – available to existing SBA loan borrowers whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19

Local businesses are encouraged to click here to learn more about these programs, including eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Good news!  The splash pad is OPEN!

Monarch Butterfly Sculpture Park

Downtown will have a new pocket park this summer that will be adjacent to the Splash Pad.  Construction of the Monarch Butterfly Sculpture Park will begin in June and be completed later this summer.  The monarch butterfly sculpture commissioned by the Bloom and Grow Garden Society will be installed in the park once construction is complete.  To learn more, please click here.

Observe National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month this June by skipping the canned and frozen varieties and choosing fresh fruits and vegetables. It is the perfect time to enjoy the fruits of labor from area farmers, while supporting local and indulging in the taste of fresh.

According to the Center for Disease Control, only one in 10 adults eat enough fruits and vegetables daily to achieve positive health benefits. Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov to explore the amounts recommended and the importance of eating fruits and vegetables.

The Winter Garden Farmers Market is a convenient source for fresh-picked summer produce including watermelon, squash, okra, and pickling cucumbers. Nearly 20 local farms, of which nearly 90% are organic, have stands of fresh produce every Saturday morning.
 
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month is a good time to support your overall health as well as our local hardworking farmers.

Winter Garden Farmers Market
Saturdays, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue

City Booming with Fourth of July Celebrations

The City will host multiple Independence Day weekend celebrations that are fun for all ages. The festivities kick off on Friday, July 2, with Red, White & Blues on the Plaza. A live band will perform blues music from 7-9 pm. On Saturday, July 3, from 8 am – 1 pm, the Farmers Market will turn red, white, and blue for a vendor booth patriotic decorating contest. A musician will perform popular patriotic tunes while families enjoy a life-size game zone. While there, pick up watermelon and all the essentials for your holiday barbecue. On Sunday, July 4, the Annual All American Kids Parade returns. Sponsored in conjunction with the Winter Garden Masonic Lodge, patriotic-decorated bikes, scooters, and participants will parade down Plant Street starting at 10 am. The weekend ends with a boom at the July 4th Fireworks Display starting at 9:15 pm at Newton Park. In addition, Downtown is fully decorated and bursting with patriotic small town charm. It is the perfect backdrop for holiday photos and enjoying expansive outdoor dining and shopping.

Red, White, & Blues on the Plaza
Friday, July 2 – 7:00-9:00 pm
Centennial Plaza
 
Farmers Market Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, July 3 – 8:00 am-1:00 pm
Downtown Pavilion
 
All American Kids Parade
Sunday, July 4 – Kicks-off at 10:00 am from Masonic Lodge
Downtown Winter Garden
 
Fireworks Display
Sunday, July 4 – 9:15 pm
Newton Park
 
Please visit www.cwgdn.com for event details and locations.

Waste and Recycling Workers week recognizes these hard working folks that keep cities and towns clean and healthy. 

Here are some ways to show them your appreciation:

• Have your waste containers out by 7:00 am on collection days.
• Don’t overload your trash cans. The mechanical arm may dump the can, but workers may still need to position it.
• Sort your recycling properly. Remember plastic grocery bags should never go in the recycling cart. Take them back to the retailer to be recycled.
• Watch where you park on trash day. Don’t block the trash can or recycling cart. 
• Thank your trash collector with a note or a simple wave and a “thank you.”

Questions? 407.656.2256

Why Can't I Recycle Single Use Plastics?

Those crinkly #1 plastics used for single use food and drink items cannot be recycled. They include to go or takeout boxes, bakery and produce containers, plastic plates, bowls and cups. That even includes Solo cups. Here’s why single use plastics can’t be recycled:

• They flatten easily when crushed and the recycling sorting equipment doesn’t recognize them. They often end up in with the paper recyclables.
• They melt at different temperatures than other plastics. This can create ash, ruining an entire batch of good plastic.
• They are often coated with food labels and adhesive stickers which could lead to contamination issues.
• There is no good reuse market for them.

The same goes for plastic straws, lids, forks, knives and spoons. They fall through or get stuck in the sorting equipment and can contaminate glass bottles and jars.

Use reusable containers. If that’s not possible, throw these plastics in the trash, not the recycling cart.

Questions: 407.877.5193

Winter Garden's Fire Rescue Safety Corner

City of Winter Garden Emergency After Hours Phone Numbers

Parks & Recreation News

Summer Classes and Fall Soccer Registration

Find dates, details and fees at: Parks and Recreation or call 407.656.4155.

YOUTH SOCCER - FALL LEAGUE

Soccer is an awesome opportunity for your child to have fun while getting exercise, improving coordination, and learning to work with others. Fee includes the eight-week season, an end of the season award and a team shirt.

We want you! Coaches pay only $10 for one child’s registration. Paid officials are also needed.

City Residents register June 14 – July 30. Nonresidents register June 28 – July 30. Registration may close early due to limited availability in each age division.

Practices begin the week of August 23
Games begin September 11
3 – 12 years old (age as of September 1, 2021)
$90 City Resident; $110 Nonresident
Braddock Park, 13460 Lake Butler Boulevard

AQUA ZUMBA

Activate your urge for variety! Aqua Zumba offers fun, shallow-water movement to improve agility and flexibility while addressing cardiovascular strength and endurance conditioning. This 60-minute class combines some of the traditional elements of aqua fitness with upbeat, Latin-infused dance moves. You don’t want to miss this pool party!

Mondays, May 10 – August 2 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
16 years and older
$3 per visit 
Farnsworth Pool, 1 Surprise Drive
Due to limited space advanced registration is recommended online at enroll.wgplay.com.

AQUA FITNESS

This stress-free exercise works the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and major muscle groups in one workout. Water surrounds the body resisting every move, and muscle workouts are balanced at your own level. Aqua fitness provides a great workout while putting minimal stress on the body.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 11 – August 5 | 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Saturdays, May 8 – August 7 | 8:00 – 9:00 am
16 years and older
$3 per visit  
Farnsworth Pool, 1 Surprise Drive
Due to limited space advanced registration is recommended online at enroll.wgplay.com.

LAP SWIMMING

The outdoor lap swim program gives adults the chance to take to the water for health and fitness without interruption from other swimmers. Participants who swim 25 miles or more over the summer will receive a free Aqua Exercise Flex Pass for the following summer.

Mondays – Thursdays, May 10 – August 5 | 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Mondays – Thursdays, June 7 – July 29 | 8:00 – 9:00 am
Saturdays, May 8 – August 7 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
16 years and older  
$3 per visit
Due to limited space, advanced registration is recommended online at enroll.wgplay.com.

AQUA FITNESS BOOT CAMP

Based on speed, power and strength rather than rhythm and choreography, Aqua Fitness Boot Camp incorporates pyramid training, kickboxing drills, interval training, power drills, speed bursts and strength exercises. While this class requires no coordination, it does demand a lot of stamina and is great for participants who need a new challenge and prefer intense, athletic workouts. This class will push you to your limits!

Mondays – Thursdays, June 1 – August 5 | 12:00 – 12:45 pm
16 years and older
$3 per visit 
Farnsworth Pool, 1 Surprise Drive
Due to limited space advanced registration is recommended online at enroll.wgplay.com.

*Due to COVID-19 all aquatic program dates are tentative at this time. Due to limited space, advanced registration is recommended online at enroll.wgplay.com.

WORKSHOPS

Artist Night Studio: Life Drawing
Model available to draw every Wednesday night. 

Wednesdays | 6:30 – 9:00 pm 
18 years and older only
Register online at wgart.org

Please visit the website for more details and updates: wgart.org/workshops

Central Florida Railroad Museum

101 S. Boyd Street

cfrhs.org

Open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
FREE Admission

 
Updated Displays & Summer Fun
 
If you are looking for a fun summer activity, then board the Central Florida Railroad Museum for a trip through railroad history. Located in an over 100-year-old train depot, the museum boasts multiple galleries of extensive local and nationwide railroad artifacts and memorabilia, including station equipment, signage, lanterns, as well as an large collection of dining car china, a motor car, and so much more including a Gift Shop. A fan favorite are the model trains, including a working model train display. Many of the displays have just been updated so there is always something new to see and learn. Be sure to ring the steam locomotive bell on your visit!

Visit us at our websites: