Baldwin Park Pics:
Observation: We drove into Baldwin Park from 436, past the Winter Park Pines Golf Course and some older apartments. At first, I wasn't impressed. Then, Baldwin Park appeared. WOW! what a place. Very nice, well kept grounds. A mix of townhouses, houses, businesses. A mix of architectural styles- from Mediteranean to Colonial to Coastal. Cars didn't liter front yards because the garages were behing the houses, accessible by alleys. Very Well labeled streets. Very, very clean; trashcans everywhere. But, I noticed the lack of "individuality" and mature trees. The landscapes and yards, while nice and well kept, were all the same. THe homes are very close together and no one has a decent sized yard. I guess that's why they have "commons" (Grassey areas and a 55 acre park with ball fields and playground. The business district, in the center of the development, had a wide variety of restaurants, shops, service providers, and a Publix. Pools and recreation places are sprinkled throughout. 2 schools, Audubon Park Eme. and Glen Ridge Middle, are located within the development, and Winter Park H.S. is nearby. We drove through B.P on a Wed. afternoon right as the Elem. Sch. let out. School kids walked from school, up through the business, and the hustle and bustle transformed the quiet streets into a vibrant mini-city.
Speculation: I think that Baldwin Park will look like Celebration down near Disney World.
Analysis: After conducting my interview with Realto LaShawn Norden, looking on the Baldwin Park website, and reading the site plan that was submitted to the City of Orlando, I found out that my speculation is correct. Baldwin Park, near downtown Orlando and Winter Park, was created because of the success of Celebration in the late '90's.
Evaluation: I think that Baldwin Park is a copy of the Celebration community. THe location was chosen because of its close proximity to Downtown Orlando and to the Winter Park area. THe "demand" for communities like this is great, especially those trying to live "greener" lives and who are actually able and can afford to "live/work/play" in 2.5 miles.!
Compare and Contrast:
In my opinion, Baldwin Park is a great example of New Urbanism. My definition of New Urbanism is a walkable, mini-city, if you will. By mini-city, I mean, a centrally located downtown (with businesses,shops, restaurants), surrounded by a very compact suburb area, complete with schools and green space. Baldwin Park perfectly what New Urbanism is, and I believe that it successfully accomplished the goals that New Urbanism has created for itself.
I live in Tuskawilla Forest, a neighborhood that is part of Deer Run. I live in a two story house, on a tree-lined street, that has a good-sized yard, with a pool that backs up to a pond in a conservation area. We are very close to Red Bug Elem., TWMS, LHHS, 3 shopping centers, and Red Bug Park. While my house is not brand new, it suits our family very well. We do pay Home Owners Assoc. fees, but not nearly what the residents of B.P. pay each year. Our house is within 2 miles of RBE, Red Bug Park, many fast food & sit-down restaurants, 2 grocery stores, and many shops and service offices (doctors, dry-cleaners, etc.). I live within 3 miles of LHHS, and TWMS. Our neighborhoods also has many churches nearby, which is one thing that I didn't remember seeing in B.P. My Neighborhood also has a large lake, and a small common area where we have Easter Egg Hunts, and other neighborhood events. My neighborhood has many different styloes of homes, but are primarily the same sizes. We don't have any apartments or townhomes in my neighborhood, although inside Deer Run they are there. Deer Run has also has a golf course, although B.P. has the Winter Park Pines course nearby. In my neighborhood, we are responsible for keeping our yards well-kept and our homes in good shape.
Tuskawilla Forest & Baldwin Park have a few things in common, close to shops, schools, parks, a lake, community area, but our biggest differences are the size of our homes, the fees we par, and the cost of our homes. If you want "New", then Tuskawilla Forest isn't right for you.
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