City: Winter Park   County: Orange   Year: 2024
Location: 1701 Orange Ave

On November 24, 1924, during the height of the Florida Land Boom, prominent Orlando developer Walter W. Rose platted the Westminster Section of Orwin Manor. The name “Orwin” is a combination of Orlando and Winter Park, as portions of the neighborhood are within both cities. The Park at Orwin Manor is the location of the original Walter W. Rose Investment Company sales office for the Westminster Section and later, the Stratford Section of Orwin Manor. Constructed in the Mediterranean revival style, it faced Orange Avenue, the main two-lane road between Orlando and Winter Park. After the sales office was demolished in the late 1950s, neighborhood children used the property as a place to play. In 1992, at the urging of the Orwin Manor Westminster Association, the City of Winter Park purchased the vacant land from Rose’s widow, Stella Smith Rose, for use as a neighborhood park. Residents designed the park and donated labor and funds to build it. Gary Brewer, Winter Park Mayor, dedicated The Park at Orwin Manor in September 1994.