Advocating for East Winter Garden and Beyond
Creating ONE single Winter Garden,
from North to South and West to EAST
The One Winter Garden Mission
It has been reported that in East Winter Garden (the Winter Garden area historically identified as north of Story Rd, South of Plant St, and East of 9th St) there are over 1,600 individuals. Nearly half of the families that comprise these individuals earn less than $25,000 per household. Many of them are spending as high as 80% of their income in rent and unemployment in this area is reported to be over 25%.
For years many saw East Winter Garden as a wholly separate community from the rest of Winter Garden, which is thriving economically. This stigma has stumped potential within the East Winter Garden community and has made it difficult for the micro economy within the community to thrive. Change is needed and is coming.
One Winter Garden supports a concept of unity and participation whereby individuals from within East Winter Garden and other areas of Winter Garden and West Orange come together to advocate for our historic community.
If you believe in East Winter Garden you have a home in our organization. We meet monthly and work toward solutions rather than harping on past problems.
One Winter Garden works along side the City of Winter Garden, Habitat for Humanity, and other great organizations to meet our community’s needs and goals. There has been incredible progress, and much more is to come.
Winter Garden’s future is bright, together we are stronger.
#OneWinterGarden
Landmark Achievement:
After working with One Winter Garden, on February 8th, 2024, the City of Winter Garden has officially designated our area through resolution for the first time in our history! This is a powerful statement and monumental step. We are officially the Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood!
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This came through the efforts our president Danykqua Faulk, Chloe Johnson, Austin Arthur, and our board including past President Jamie Holley, Mother Charlie Mae Wilder, Patricia Angry, Carol Ward, Eric Debose, Angelia Taylor Dean, and including community members and neighboring allies such as Lynette Fields and many others!
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The City worked very carefully with us to make sure this was right. We proposed map changes, verbiage adjustments, and added historical landmarks such as the Maxey Community Center, the former historic Maxey Elementary School building, and the historic Charles R. Drew High School. The City made sure this was about our people and tonight, they saw us.
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To the Mayor, Commissioner Mark Maciel, the other commissioners, and City Staff such as City Manager Jon Williams, Economic Development Director Marc Hutchinson, former Economic Development Director Tanja Gerhard, others... thank you for recognizing our unique history and for including us during the process of this special designation bringing additional dignity to our area-
THE HISTORIC EAST WINTER GARDEN NEIGHBORHOOD!
We believe in ONE single Winter Garden, from North to South and West to EAST.
We also recognize our unique, sometimes hard, but always beautiful story and history. We forge on together with the entire City and all her residents.
A Resolution of The City Commission Of The City Of Winter Garden, Florida, Identifying And Officially Designating The Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood.
Signed by the Mayor of Winter Garden, John Rees.
February 8, 2024
The Historic East Winter Garden Neighborhood official overlay map.
One Winter Garden Vice President Chloe Johnson Brunson also spoke profoundly and thanked Mayor John Rees, all the commissioners, City Manager Jon Williams, Economic Development Director Marc Hutchinson, former Economic Development Director Tanja Gerhardt, and all the City Staff.
Additional thank you was given to our District 3 Commissioner, Mark Maciel, who never forgot us during his 8 years of service. He will be missed as our commissioner as he enters retirement from that particular role.
One Winter Garden President, Miss Dee had powerful words:
"We are proud of our unique history. We have a heritage of loving family, loving friends, and loving God. We are strong people that have been through a lot. But as God’s word teaches in
Isaiah 41:10:
'So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'"
East Winter Garden Plan
By the City of Winter Garden
In 2018 the City of Winter Garden created an initiative titled “Plan East Winter Garden”
In this plan they worked together with community locals to create a comprehensive plan that is still being worked on today. We have linked this plan from the city below and also included a blurb from the documents opening below. Please see more at www.planeastwintergarden.com
“This report will help city leaders, the business community, non-profit organizations, and residents, ensure that change in East Winter Garden diversifies the neighborhood’s economy, increases employment opportunities, improves the health of residents, improves homeownership and housing conditions, and upgrades the quality of life. Five “Big Ideas” form the key recommendations of this plan.”
One Winter Garden is not officially associated with the City of Winter Garden nor does it necessarily endorse or reject this plan. We are providing it here as a resource to our community.
The One Winter Garden Board Meets on the
First Thursday of Every Month.
The Public is Welcome to join the Board Meeting at:
5:30PM at Healthy West Orange
1200 E Plant St Suite 200, Winter Garden, FL 34787
OWG MAILING ADDRESS:
12200 West Colonial Drive Suite 300K
Winter Garden, Florida 34787
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