Central Winds Park is already one of Winter Springs’ most active community spaces. It hosts events, sports fields, nature trails, a walking loop, picnic areas, and direct access to the Lake Jesup shoreline. A proposed project now in the early planning stages could add something new to that list: a public boardwalk extending along the lake’s edge.
What Is Being Proposed
The City of Winter Springs is pursuing a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant to fund a boardwalk along the Lake Jesup shoreline within Central Winds Park. The project is in the funding application stage, with a construction timeline contingent on grant approval.
The proposed structure would be approximately 12 feet wide, elevated above the shoreline, and designed to connect with existing park facilities and trail systems. It would include railings and dedicated viewpoints along the route.
The total estimated project cost is $562,500. The city is requesting $450,000 through the RTP program, with a local match of $112,500.
Why the Grant Funding Matters
Projects like this one illustrate how the city can expand public amenities without placing the full cost burden on residents. Recreational Trails Program grants are awarded through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and are specifically intended to support public trail and outdoor recreation infrastructure.
If the grant is approved, the city’s direct contribution would represent roughly 20 percent of the total project cost. The remaining 80 percent would come from state funding.
What It Would Mean for Residents
Lake Jesup runs along the northern boundary of Central Winds Park, but direct public access to the shoreline is currently limited. A boardwalk of this design would give residents a dedicated, accessible path to experience the lake up close, with built-in viewpoints for wildlife observation and passive recreation.
The elevated structure is also designed with the natural environment in mind. Raising the boardwalk above grade allows water to flow naturally beneath it, protecting the wetland shoreline rather than disrupting it.
Combined with the park’s existing nature trails and walking loop, the boardwalk would expand the overall trail experience at Central Winds and create a more connected outdoor recreation network along one of Seminole County’s most significant natural water bodies.
What Comes Next
The project is currently moving through the RTP application process. Design and permitting work would follow if funding is approved, with construction scheduled after those milestones are complete.
Commissioner Bruce will continue to share updates on this project as it advances through the process.
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