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Author Topic: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park  (Read 6957 times)

Metro Jacksonville

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Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« on: February 21, 2011, 04:05:07 AM »
Urban Connectivity: Winter Park



Metro Jacksonville takes a look at connectivity and clustering complementing uses within a compact pedestrian friendly setting: Winter Park

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-feb-urban-connectivity-winter-park
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Captain Zissou

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2011, 10:00:59 AM »
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Urban parks should be places where a variety of activity can take place throughout the day from a diverse range of residents and visitors in terms of age, culture and race.

Memorial Park was packed all weekend.  It was amazing to see the variety of activities and the people in the park.  Hipsters were dancing and doing stuff that I didn't understand, others were having picnics, kids were running and playing, others were playing football, people were fishing, ladies were reading, some were jogging, and then some were just walking around taking it all in.

If I had to guess, I'd say Metropark, Hemming, and the Main Street trash receptacle park combined had fewer people than Memorial.
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Lunican

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2011, 12:28:29 PM »
Winter Park is one of the few places in the state that you can get off an Amtrak train and walk around for the day in the immediate area.

If anyone has been wanting to take a day trip on Amtrak, this is how to do it:

There are two trains from Jacksonville heading south:

Amtrak 91 (Silver Star) departs at 7:15am and arrives in Winter Park at 9:54am.
Amtrak 97 (Silver Meteor) departs at 9:48am and arrives in Winter Park at 12:27pm.

The Winter Park Amtrak station is right in the middle of Central Park, with restaurants, shopping, hotels, boat tours, and Rollins College all right there, no car needed.

To get back:

Amtrak 98 (Silver Meteor) departs Winter Park at 2:14pm and arrives in Jax at 5:10pm.
Amtrak 92 (Silver Star) departs Winter Park at 7:41pm and arrives in Jax at 10:37pm.

Since these trains are coming from NYC and Miami they can be running late (many hours late).

Here is the real trick... most people don't know that Amtrak tickets are valid for one year from issue. You can buy a rountrip ticket and use it on a day that the trains are running on time (check train status online before going to the station). Also, I'd buy a ticket for the two earlier trains. I've never had a problem using an early ticket on a later train since they take the exact same route.
« Last Edit: February 21, 2011, 12:30:12 PM by Lunican »
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BridgeTroll

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2011, 12:48:43 PM »
Do you remember the price of a roundtrip?
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Captain Zissou

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2011, 12:51:51 PM »
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 21, 2011, 12:48:43 PM
Do you remember the price of a roundtrip?

Ditto.  This sounds like an awesome idea for a day trip.
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Lunican

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2011, 12:54:29 PM »
It varies, but the current cheapest regular rate seems to be $23 each way. However it can be much higher (or lower through their weekly specials http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/weeklyspecials ).
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BridgeTroll

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2011, 01:03:33 PM »
Just tried the amtrak website... for a saturday trip was 54 jax to WP... and $40 wp to jax for two people... vets and AAA discounts applied
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In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

BridgeTroll

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2011, 01:04:39 PM »
Tried the weekly special site and got...

Quote
Weekly Specials discounted fares are only available for sale Tuesday through Friday. Check back to see current specials.
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In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Lunican

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2011, 01:08:16 PM »
March 19 is $23 / $31 with no discounts.
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BridgeTroll

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2011, 01:19:44 PM »
Quote from: Lunican on February 21, 2011, 01:08:16 PM
March 19 is $23 / $31 with no discounts.

OK... so $46/$62 = $108 roundtrip for two
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In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

avonjax

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2011, 01:40:25 PM »
It would almost cost me $54 to make the drive. I've wanted to do that for a long time. Love Winter Park
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BridgeTroll

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #11 on: February 21, 2011, 01:45:04 PM »
I think my wife and I will probaby do it soon.  I agree with the $54 to drive down there... but you can put 3 others in the car with you for the same price.  If 3 accompany you to WP a $54 trip now becomes $216
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In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

fieldafm

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2011, 02:22:22 PM »
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If I had to guess, I'd say Metropark, Hemming, and the Main Street trash receptacle park combined had fewer people than Memorial.

Spent part of Saturday having a picnic at Memorial, part of both days at Hemming, rode my bike past Main Street homeless camp park, and popped in to Metropark by bike on way to/from JU lacrosse game at Everbank Field... and Memorial Park had three times the amount of people Saturday that the downtown 3 had all weekend.  Riverwalk was packed both days though!  Even more reason for the Bay Street Pier Park and Hogans Greenbelt.

Anyway, I was just in Winter Park and took extensive pictures b/c its basically San Marco and the Shoppes of Avondale combined that just so happen to pop pills from Mark McGuire's strength trainers.

The whole pedestrian experience is very good there, but the real takeaway I got from Winter Park was their consumer-friendly municipal parking facilities and that they were VERY bike friendly.

I'll try to post some pics later tonight.

BTW, if you want some good eats... Ravenous Pig in Winter Park is the way to go!!!
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Timkin

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2011, 02:32:18 PM »
Winter Park is Awesome.... so much to do just in that area, without going into Orlando or any of the surrounding burbs .
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Lunican

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Re: Urban Connectivity: Winter Park
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2011, 02:37:23 PM »
Quote from: BridgeTroll on February 21, 2011, 01:45:04 PM
I think my wife and I will probaby do it soon.  I agree with the $54 to drive down there... but you can put 3 others in the car with you for the same price.  If 3 accompany you to WP a $54 trip now becomes $216

I'd wait for a good weekly special.
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