“Little Old Ladies” Launch Orlando Land Trust And Capital Campaign To Protect Lake Eola Park

Started by two Orlando natives, OLT seeks to raise $3.5 million for the purchase of the northeast corner site at E. Central Boulevard and N. Rosalind Avenue. At about 5,000 square feet, the property is under one acre in size, and is currently home to a convenience store. OLT’s intent is to donate the land to the city of Orlando so that it becomes public park space.

Lynn Long and Eugenia Sefcik have become advocates for green space instead of high-density development at Lake Eola Park. The women became alarmed at preliminary approval in 2015 of a 28-story mixed use, residential complex on the corner. The two began exploring options to protect the property. They teamed with fellow Orlando native and philanthropist Ted Haddock, who also had concerns about preserving the park’s future. Two properties that abut the park and which are adjacent to the corner, are currently owned by the Chicago-based developer who proposed the high-rise for all three parcels. 

“We’re just a couple of little old ladies who love this city and want to protect certain areas for the value they bring to this community’s overall quality of life,” explained Lynn Long. “Lake Eola is the heart and soul of Orlando and its visibility, accessibility and fundamental essence are what we seek to protect.”

“We believe that cities are living breathing things that need to grow, but we also believe it is just as important to prevent a city’s important green space from becoming extinct, which is our great fear about Lake Eola Park.”

While formulating the OLT, Long, Sefcik and Haddock worked with the national Trust for Public Land, which holds the contract on the property. Upon confirmation of its 501C-3 non-profit status, OLT will hold the property. The Trust for Public Land’s mission is to create parks and protect land, as well as to acquire and protect land, design and renovate parks, playgrounds, trails and gardens.

“This project represents community supported conservation at its finest. We’re thrilled to be working with the Orlando Land Trust and this opportunity to protect Lake Eola; we look forward to moving this project forward over the coming months with our committed partners,” said Doug Hattaway, Senior Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land.

The OLT’s inaugural Board of Trustees includes philanthropist Haddock, who serves as board chair, former Orlando mayors Bill Frederick and Glenda Hood, J. Charles Gray, Steve Goldman, Charles E. Bailes, Dr. Leslie Kemp Poole, Mark. G. Line and Long and Sefcik.

For information about Orlando Land Trust or to donate, visit: www.orlandolandtrust.org  

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