Mayor Carl T. Langford Park

Some years ago, Sandra spent time with Orlando mayor Carl T. Langford at a public event. Feisty and wry, he was hilarous to be around, a larger-than-life character even in retirement.

No wonder. A World War II major who served as mayor from 1967 until 1980, he was beloved by many Orlandoans and one of the first Distinguished Eagle Scouts in Florida.

Under his watch, Walt Disney World arrived. He finagled the acquisition of McCoy Air Force Base from the Air Force for $1 to create Orlando International Airport.

The Mayor Carl T. Langford Neighborhood Center adjoins the park entrance on Central Blvd

More significantly, Langford integrated city offices, opening the city’s police academy and firefighting schools to Blacks.

“Hizzoner” had a soft spot for conservation, too. So it’s fitting that this canopied park along Fern Creek is named for him.

Multiple bridges span Fern Creek inside the park

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.

Overview

Location: Orlando
Length: 1 mile trail network
Trailhead: 28.54277, -81.35844
Address: 1808 E Central Blvd, Orlando
Fees: None
Restroom: In the middle of the park
Land manager: City of Orlando
Phone: 407-246-2283

Open 5 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs permitted. To reserve a pavilion, call 407-246-4471.

Restrooms also adjoin the playground at the neighborhood center, but we found them locked on a weekday.

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.

About the Park

An urban woodland bisected by Fern Creek in its flow towards Lake Greenwood, Langford Park is largely shaded except for its ballfields and tennis courts.

Its parking area adjoining the neighborhood center doubles as a trailhead for Dickson Azalea Park across the street, so our map below shows a mile-long walk across both parks.

Playground under oak canopy next to building

The playground adjoining the center is naturally shaded

Walk in front of the building and around past the playground to enter the park. The path curves downhill towards a white building in the distance under the oaks.

Take the first right to cross Fern Creek on a suspension bridge that bounces up and down as you walk across it.

Suspension bridge

Uphill to the right is the other parking area. Walk downhill paralleling the flow of Fern Creek towards the large picnic pavilion.

Cross over the next bridge. The path passes a white building that looks like cedar shakes but is concrete. It’s the park restroom.

Second bridge and restrooms

Past it, cut across the grass under the oaks to another bridge. A marker declares it an joint design project by students from Boone and Edgewater High Schools.

Cross the bridge. Straight ahead and to the left are the ballfields and tennis courts. A half mile paved loop circles them, but it’s more pleasant to stay in the shade. Turn right.

Looking towards the open area of this park

The wide path winds through a sunny spot towards a tall cabbage palm missing its top. Curving past a well-shaded bench, the path crosses another bridge over Fern Creek.

To the left the path leads to two picnic pavilions. Turn right to walk upstream towards the larger pavilions under the oaks.

Crossing Fern Creek a third time

Ramble past the trio of picnic pavilions. Two are under the oaks, one shelters a solo table from the sun.

Reaching the bridge near the restrooms again, cross it and take a left to walk uphill, back towards the playground and neighborhood center by a different route.

Playground and neighborhood center

Bear right and walk behind the playground towards the Little Free Library. Steps lead to a boardwalk into a wooden area. Climb up them to explore.

It’s a little maze across a wetland inside a sinkhole. Besides a viewing platform, there is a picnic table and a pavilion with built-in seating perfect for outdoor talks.

A maze of boardwalks

The boardwalk is a cul-de-sac, so exit the way you came, this time having a ramp available leading towards the parking area.

Adjoining the parking is a large open grassy space that is part of the park, where people walk dogs and families play catch. Our in-the-park ramble was a half mile.

You can extend it further with a brisk walk around the ballfields, or across the grassy expanse and around the sinkhole, or with a walk up the creek through Dickson Azalea Park.