East Orlando's New Oasis: A Private Bet on Public Green Space

ORLANDO, FL – August 04, 2026

For two decades, a regional park in East Orange County has been more of a political promise than a tangible plan. As thousands of new families flocked to the area, drawn by A-rated schools and a strong sense of community, the recreational infrastructure failed to keep pace. Weekends became a familiar ritual of long drives for parents ferrying children to soccer fields and baseball diamonds in other parts of Central Florida. Now, a new chapter is being proposed, not from a government agency, but from a private developer.

Avalon Park Group, the master planner behind the sprawling Avalon Park community, has announced a commitment to build an approximately 250-acre regional park and athletic complex, slated to open in 2027. The project, however, comes with a paradigm-shifting twist: it will be developed without asking for a single dollar from Orange County taxpayers or the region's coveted Tourist Development Tax funds.

A New Model for Public Good?

In an era where public coffers are strained and large-scale municipal projects often get mired in fiscal debates, Avalon Park Group's approach is a deliberate departure from the norm. Traditionally, parks of this magnitude are financed through public bonds or tax revenues. This project challenges that entire model.

"This park will not ask for Tourist Development Tax dollars, and it will not ask Orange County taxpayers to fund it," said Beat Kahli, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Avalon Park Group, in the announcement. "Those funds have their own purposes and their own pressures. What East Orange County needs is a model that delivers without competing for money that is already spoken for."

This isn't a boast without backing. With a diversified portfolio and a 30-year track record, the company commands over $1.7 billion in total assets. Its existing Avalon Park Orlando community alone, home to nearly 20,000 residents, generates over $20 million in annual property taxes. The company is leveraging its financial strength and long-term investment in the region to fund what is, for all intents and purposes, a public good. This initiative serves as a powerful case study in how the private sector can step in to fill infrastructure gaps left by rapidly growing demand and lagging public investment. By internalizing the cost, the developer aims to bypass the political and financial gridlock that has kept the park a mere talking point for 20 years.

"It is time for a different model, and Avalon Park Group is ready to lead the effort to bring this vision to reality," Kahli stated, directly addressing the decades of unfulfilled promises.

An Oasis for a Growing Community

The need for such a facility is undeniable. Community leaders paint a vivid picture of a region bursting at the seams. "Our families spend countless hours traveling because quality athletic facilities have not kept pace with the incredible growth of East Orange County," said Dave Weiser, Executive Director of the East Orlando Knights Soccer Club. He notes that a local park is about more than just sports; it's about giving children opportunities close to home and creating a destination for the entire community.

The vision extends far beyond manicured sports fields for soccer, cricket, and baseball. Plans include walking trails, playgrounds, wellness amenities, and community gathering spaces, reflecting the developer's foundational "New Urbanism" philosophy of creating integrated, walkable, and sustainable communities.

This sentiment is echoed by residents who have witnessed the area's transformation. "I have watched Avalon Park grow from open land into a thriving community," said Brenda Kolbrich, a longtime community advocate. "The next step is ensuring that our public spaces and recreational opportunities grow with us." For residents of every age, the park represents a place to connect, stay active, and reinforce the community spirit that drew them to East Orange County in the first place.

The Politics of Parks

The timing and nature of the announcement carry significant political weight. With key local elections on the horizon, the project has quickly become a focal point in the discourse around growth management and public services. The press release prominently features endorsements from Stephanie Murphy, a candidate for Orange County Mayor, and Johanna Lopez, a candidate for County Commission.

"As mayor, I will support partnerships that expand access to quality recreational opportunities, while ensuring every investment is made transparently and in the best interest of Orange County residents," Murphy stated, signaling an openness to this unconventional public-private dynamic. Lopez was more direct, asserting that if elected, "our county government will stop promising a park and work to make it a reality."

By committing private funds and presenting a concrete plan, Avalon Park Group has effectively shifted the political landscape. The developer is no longer just a stakeholder but a catalyst, offering a solution to a problem that elected officials have long struggled to solve. This move positions the company as a powerful force capable of shaping the region's future, potentially influencing voter sentiment and setting the agenda for incoming leadership.

From Blueprint to Reality

While the vision is compelling, the path from announcement to opening day requires navigating a complex web of logistics and collaboration. The first major hurdle is finalizing the 250-acre site. The developer's goal is a location that is convenient but also carefully buffered from residential areas to mitigate noise and traffic concerns. This process will require cooperation across multiple jurisdictions.

Furthermore, even a privately funded park needs public partnership for infrastructure like road access, utilities, and water management. Success will hinge on the very collaboration that has proven successful in the past. Avalon Park Group points to its partnership with Orange County Public Schools, which resulted in every one of Avalon Park's schools earning an A rating, as a testament to its ability to work with public entities to achieve community goals.

To ensure the park truly serves its future users, the developer is launching a significant community engagement process. Residents, sports leagues, and civic leaders will be invited to help define the park's final features through surveys and public meetings, transforming a top-down development initiative into a bottom-up community project. Work is already underway to build the partnerships necessary to turn this ambitious vision into a vibrant reality for East Orange County.