Secretary Cord Byrd honors Winter Park’s Park Avenue District with Florida Main Street Program of the Month recognition

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida’s downtown story gained a new chapter this December as Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that the Park Avenue District in Winter Park has been named the Florida Main Street Program of the Month. The designation highlights a place where heritage and modern life share the same sidewalk, and where seasonal celebrations bring residents and visitors together beneath towering oak trees.

“It is fitting to recognize this Main Street Program in December,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. “With a variety of Christmas and Chanukah celebrations, visiting Park Avenue District promises to be a memorable experience that embodies the true joy of the season.”

The recognition draws attention to a district shaped by history long before it became a well-known destination for shopping, dining, and culture. Park Avenue was central to Winter Park’s original vision: a carefully planned community built around learning, the arts, and civic life. Chartered in 1887, the city was developed as a winter retreat for northern educators and entrepreneurs who were drawn by its natural beauty and chain of lakes. Education quickly became a cornerstone of the area’s identity, reinforced by the founding of Rollins College in 1885, Florida’s first four-year college, and the arrival of the railway just a few years later in 1889.

Those early choices set a lasting tone. Over the decades, Winter Park grew into a place where academic life, cultural institutions, and locally owned businesses coexisted in close quarters. Park Avenue evolved into a gathering point for the community, home to the Morse Museum of American Art, Rollins College, and generations of family-run shops. Traditions took root here, passed from one era to the next, giving the avenue a sense of continuity that still defines it today.

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More than a century later, that same spirit of collaboration inspired a fresh effort to protect and guide the district’s future. In 2019, local merchants, residents, and civic partners came together to establish the Park Avenue District as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Their shared mission was clear: preserve the character that makes Park Avenue distinctive, while ensuring it remains strong and relevant for generations to come. Rather than freezing the district in time, the group focused on thoughtful growth that respects the avenue’s architectural style and community-centered design.

Today, Park Avenue District stands as the heart of downtown Winter Park. Daily life unfolds in small, vivid moments. The smell of coffee drifts from neighborhood cafés. Families wander past boutiques and art galleries. Music carries from the Central Park stage, while the bells of Rollins College mark the hours nearby. The district works steadily behind the scenes to keep this rhythm alive, blending the avenue’s timeless elegance with new chances for creativity, business development, and connection.

Since its founding, the Park Avenue District has produced measurable results alongside its cultural impact. From 2019 to the present, the district has generated $1,305,405.16 in public and private investment. Eight net new businesses have opened their doors, creating 108 net new jobs. Community support has been equally strong, with more than 4,353 volunteer hours recorded. These figures reflect not only economic growth, but also a high level of local engagement and pride.

The district also looks ahead, using state and local grant funding to enhance Park Avenue’s beauty and accessibility. Efforts range from marketing support and business initiatives to design improvements that highlight the area’s historic appeal. Each project is guided by a simple principle: progress should strengthen, not erase, the atmosphere that makes Park Avenue special. Whether through small upgrades or larger planning efforts, the goal remains the same—honor the past while preparing for the future.

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That balance is especially visible during the holiday season, when the Park Avenue District partners with the City of Winter Park to transform downtown into a festive destination. Each year, the avenue becomes a winter wonderland featuring the Christmas Cathedral, Christmas Carousel, sparkling wreaths, and elegant bows. The season officially begins with Light Up Park, an event where visitors can ride a trolley down the avenue on the night the lights are switched on, marking the start of holiday celebrations.

Throughout the year, the district also hosts a range of signature events that bring people together in different ways. Winter Park Sidewalk Sales invite shoppers to explore local businesses, while Trick-or-Treat on Park Avenue turns downtown into a family-friendly celebration each fall. Plated on Park offers a shared dining experience along the scenic avenue, and seasonal gatherings at Club 1882 add to the district’s social calendar. Each event reinforces the role of Park Avenue as a place to meet, celebrate, and connect.

Partnerships have been central to the district’s success. Through collaboration with the City of Winter Park, the Community Redevelopment Association, and the Florida Main Street program, the Park Avenue District has become a bridge between history and modern life. It champions small businesses, supports beautification efforts, and creates experiences that reflect the authentic character of the community.

The Florida Main Street Program of the Month designation recognizes more than a single achievement. It reflects years of careful planning, community involvement, and a shared belief that downtown spaces matter. For Winter Park, Park Avenue remains more than a destination. It is a living reminder of the city’s origins and a symbol of what thoughtful preservation and local leadership can accomplish.

For more information on Park Avenue District, visit ParkAvenueDistrict.com.