Bill Frederick Park meant for all types of recreation
Visitors to Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake can find just about every type of outdoor recreation they can desire, save for hunting and shooting off fireworks.
Picnicking, sand volleyball, disc golf, fishing, drone flying, birding, hiking, cycling, swimming in the park’s pool and camping are all available within the City of Orlando’s 183-acre space set on the shore of Turkey Lake.
After paying a small entry fee — $2 for a car with one person or $5 per car with multiple people — park guests can explore miles of trails, both paved and unpaved. Gopher tortoises, red-bellied woodpeckers, osprey, vultures, alligators, northern mockingbirds, blue jays, cardinals and limpkins can be spotted within the park.
On the shore of the lake, recreationists can find a dock with boats to rent, a swimming pool (open select dates June through August), a sand volleyball court and a fishing pier, not to mention several disc golf baskets. Two courses are available within the park.
A children’s farm with chickens, turkeys, horses and a pig sits nearby a nature trail with children’s activities. Gopher tortoise can be spotted in this area, but be careful not to disturb them or their habitat.
Bill Frederick Park has a campground with full hookups and partial hookups for RV and tent campers, and several cabins are available for families wishing to sleep inside with air conditioning. Since the space is set near Universal Orlando and other attractions, this provides a convenient option for out-of-town visitors looking for an alternative to hotels.
There are several large pavilions set near the lake and some can be reserved online. Others can simply provide shade for daytime visitors looking to have a picnic or to get out of the sun. Playgrounds are also easily accessible for the park’s younger visitors and families.
While wandering around the scenic park, it’s still possible to hear the faint sounds of traffic on nearby roadways, including Florida’s Turnpike, and there are apartments set on the other side of Turkey Lake.
But Bill Frederick Park offers plenty of space for visitors to become immersed in nature, listen to the birds chirp and slow down with any number of recreational activities.
Important information
Location: 3401 South Hiawassee Road in Orlando
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. November-March, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. April-October
Amenities: Benches, dock, boat rentals, paved trail, nature trail, fishing pier, drone flying area, campground, cabins, exercise station, lake, covered pavilions, charcoal grills, parking, restrooms, water fountains, swimming pool, trash cans, recycling cans, sand volleyball court, wheelchair accessibility
Activities: Biking, walking, jogging, exercise, disc golf, birding, camping, boating, paddling, fishing,
picnicking
What to bring: Visitors should think about packing a snack or a picnic when spending an afternoon at the park. Anglers may want to pack a rod, as fishing is permitted from the park’s dock with a freshwater fishing license.
What not to bring: Alcohol is prohibited within the park, as are fireworks. Skateboards are not allowed at
Bill Frederick Park. Swimming in the lake is prohibited.
Pets: Well-behaved and leashed pets are welcome in the park. Owners must clean up after their pets, which aren’t allowed in food concession or picnic areas, on beaches or within 500 feet of the petting farm or playground.
Pro tips: Even though
the entrance fee to Bill Frederick Park is nominal, plan to make a day of the visit and explore multiple activities available within the park. Weekdays are a good time to visit when the park is less crowded, but even on weekends, there’s plenty of room to
spread out with 183 acres of space.
More information: 407-246-4486 or orlando. gov