Dickson Azalea Park

Sculpted into a ravine along Fern Creek between Robinson Street and Central Blvd in the Lake Lawsona Historic District of Orlando, Dickson Azalea Park is an urban gem.

In 1924, developer Walter Rose donated the ravine to the city for a park. Almost a decade later, he was elected to the Florida Senate and served through 1948.

Azalea blooming at Dickson Azalea Park

Named for azalea enthusiast Colonel H.H. Dickson, the park hosted the first garden center of the Orlando Garden Club, which orchestrated the park’s lush plantings and design.

Initially funded by the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression, its distinctive architecture includes stone staircases, wooden footbridges, and narrow footpaths.

Limestone terraces and steps are integral design features

Arching across the ravine is the Washington Street Bridge, an architectural marvel from 1926 and a designated historic landmark.

The pathways are a delight to explore. Some have succumbed to erosion over time, but it is still possible to make a half mile loop while exploring the ravine.

1920s white bridge over garden in ravine

Historic Washington Street Bridge

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Orlando
Length: 0.5 mile loop
Trailhead: 28.54255, -81.35747
Address: 100 Rosearden Dr, Orlando
Fees: None
Restroom: At neighboring Langford Park
Land manager: City of Orlando
Phone: 407-246-2283

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. Do expect to encounter wildlife.

Park benches and picnic tables are placed in several spots along the trail.

Directions

From SR 408 in Orlando, take Crystal Lake Rd north 0.2 mile; from SR 50, it’s called Maguire Blvd southbound but is the same road, following the western edge of Orlando Executive Airport for 0.8 mile. Turn west onto E Central Blvd, which crosses Primose Dr and Bumby Ave at traffic lights before reaching a T sign where the road curves right onto Hampton Ave after 0.7 mile. Make the next left to stay on Central Blvd as it goes around the corner of Langford Park. The left before the neighborhood center is the nearest parking area. If it is full, continue along Central Blvd to a second parking area a block away at the Langford Park sign. Street parking might be possible at the address on Rosearden.

Hike

Like many urban parks, Dickson Azalea Park has no parking area of its own, so use the crosswalk from Langford Park to start up the trail behind the park sign on Central Blvd.

Adjoining the footpath, Fern Creek flows through a narrow channel defined by old stone walls, a literal sluiceway at this end of the park.

Park entrance

The water is surprisingly clear and a couple of feet deep. Walking the leaf-strewn path beside it, approach and cross the first wooden bridge. Join a path coming in from the left.

Continue upstream across another bridge, clambering up a small rise along a walkway outlined by rocks. Tiered terraces with limestone walls adjoin Fern Creek.

The second bridge along the walk

Near the third wooden bridge is a plaque on a rock noting the park and the white lamp-topped bridge ahead are Orlando Historic Landmarks.

The Washington Street Bridge is built in a style commonly used in Palm Beach and Miami during the Roaring 20s.

The Washington Street Bridge crosses this verdant garden

A wooden bridge crosses the creek to lead you to and under the archway of the Washington Street Bridge.

On the other side, the trail makes a sharp turn onto a bridge at a stairway up to Rosearden Drive. Near its base is a 1935 plaque from the Orlando Garden Club.

The broad ravine and its trail junction

Dense with ferns, the ravine broadens, with paths leading in three directions ahead. Only one isn’t a dead-end: the bridge over Fern Creek.

Beyond the bridge, the walkway leads over a second bridge and up a grassy hillside with tall oaks and pines.

The ravine opens up into grassy slopes

Past a clump of elephant ears is a clearing with park benches and a stage, a tiny outdoor amphitheater.

The next bridge is just after a trail junction. Keep right, and stay with the ravine path when you see the upward stairs to Rosearden Dr.

Back to the narrows of the ravine

Narrowing, the footpath is on a ledge with Fern Creek down in a deep gully below the azalea plantings.

At the staircase leading down to the creek, cross the creek amid beautiful stonework. Turn right for another narrow path to lead to Robinson St.

North end of the park as approached from Robinson St

The park ends here, but the pathway curves along a fence delinating the Fern Creek basin and heads back downstream.

Cross the creek again at the same bridge and take a left this time, continuing downstream high above the gully.

Creek crossing

Veer left to rejoin the main path and pass the outdoor stage. It’s downhill all the way from here as Fern Creek seeks lower ground.

The broad ravine is dense with vegetation, cypresses poking out of the marsh within it. Cross the bridges to continue back under the arch of the Washington Street bridge.