Avalon Park can be better than Winter Park, but how?
By Jacob Engels
Over the past few months, I have highlighted some of the things Avalon Park has being doing wrong. As a resident of Avalon Park since it’s founding, it was important to me to call out those who were doing damage to my home. In numerous facebook groups, tons of Avalon Park residents joined the negativity and found a million things wrong with our Avalon. Now, that we have all exacted our “pound of flesh,” it’s time to find a solution. I am all for a good bit of rabble rousing, but the time for that is over.
So, what can Avalon Park do to become better than Winter Park? What can we do to make sure we are the jewel of East Orlando, and eventually the jewel of Central Florida. For those who joined me in complaining about what was wrong, it’s now time to decide what we must do to right the ship. It’s time to put your money where your mouth is.
What are the top priorities on my list? I believe that Avalon Park, and Downtown Avalon Park in particular are in need of a massive face-lift. This should start with power-washing the sidewalks, improving the maintenance of the grounds in Downtown Avalon, and starting the process of replacing dated awnings and getting fresh paint on our storefronts. Yes, this will take money. Yes, it will take time. But, it will be worth it.
Then, we should start with improving the lighting lining the street from the main entrance and increasing lighting in the Downtown area.
Those are just some of the areas where I think we can make improvements quickly and cost-effectively. Fixing these problems would allow us to re-introduce ourselves to the rest of East Orlando during our annual 4th of July celebration.
What do other Avalon Park residents want to see? Please email info@eastorlandopost.com with your suggestions and be part of the solution. It’s time for some positive and community driven efforts to solving the problems facing Avalon. Will you step up and help Avalon Park shine?
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com