Facilities

Solary Park is located in the Oviedo Historic Downtown Area at the corner of Franklin Street and Geneva Drive.  The Park provides amenities, boardwalks, rain gardens, littoral zones, and Florida-Friendly Landscaping^TM.  It also provides direct access to the Florida National Scenic Trail, better known as the Florida Trail.  

Display boards are located throughout the Park that provide educational information on the environmental benefits of conservation areas, watersheds, and the benefits of preserving natural floodplains. See slideshow for more info. 

Solary Park includes an enhanced stormwater management system allowing development of the historic commercial district by allowing local business owners to utilize capacity to convey and treat the drainage from their properties via the stormwater management system. The project is essential to facilitate and provide incentive for development and redevelopment in the Historic Downtown Area.

Solary Park
239 Geneva Drive
Oviedo, FL 32765

Solary Park Parking Lot
161 E. Franklin Street
Oviedo, FL 32765

Learn more about Solary Park below!

VEGETATION AT SOLARY PARK

Some of the native plantings used in Solary Park are

• American Beautyberry (this is the logo on Oviedo on the Park signage)
• Fire Bush
• Virginia Sweetspire
• Sand Cordgrass
• Pink Muhly
• Pickerel Weed
• Blu Flag Iris
• Yellow Canna
• Dwarf Walters Viburnum
• Jointed Spikerush
• Slash Pine
• Florida Flame Red Maple
• Sweet Bay Magnolia

NATIVES OF FLORIDA

These plants have naturally thrived the hot wet summers and the cool dry winters in Florida for thousands of years. Sandy soils suit them perfectly and insects and animals keep them in balance so they do not overrun spaces.

When you plant native plants you are helping to balance the food web of nature, birds, butterflies, and bees all help the ecosystem to thrive. Ecosystems that thrive provide us with greater recreational and educational opportunities, cleaner water bodies, and a more transparent carbon footprint. 

Native plants do not require excessive watering or feeding. If you have reclaimed water you do not need to apply fertilizer as there are sufficient nutrients in the water If you do use a fertilizer use a slow-release and take note of the restriction of use in the summer months.

INVASIVE PLANTS

Many people plant invasive plants in their yards without even knowing. Invasive species will grow wild and stifle other valuable native plantings. One of the most common invasive species found in our conservation areas and wetlands is the air potato vine. The air potato vine was introduced to Florida around 1905 and is one of the most aggressive vines and will quickly smother and even kill trees and plants it attaches to. Volunteers in Seminole County get together to conduct an air potato raid, where vines are hand-pulled and disposed of correctly to protect surrounding vegetation and wildlife. 

Visit the Florida-Friendly Landscaping  website at https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ for more information.

RAIN GARDENS

Rain Gardens help eliminate harmful pollutants from reaching our storm systems and waterways.

 For more information on creating your own rain garden and for selecting the right plantings visit the Florida Friendly LandscapingTM  program, an extension program of the University of Florida. 

For assistance in garden layout and planting ideas email mastergardener@seminolecountyfl.gov.

KEEPING LITTER OUT - THE LITTORAL SHELF

A littoral shelf is an area between the body of water and the banks surrounding it. When planted, it can create a nice border around the water and add to both the function and beauty of the area.

Using native plantings around perimeters of ponds in a littoral shelf forms a barrier of protection for the water, reduces surface litter, provides shelter and food for wildlife and birds, and helps stop erosion from occurring.

Oviedo strives to balance growth with environmental harmony. This is achieved by higher regulatory codes such as native tree planting requirements, strict setback rules, and floodplain management. The purchasing of land for open space is a reflection of the City’s commitment. There are currently 2,950 acres of conservation, wetlands, and open space in the city.

Remember: All city drains lead to surface waters, ditches, or lakes Anything other than rain entering the system will create pollution. To report illicit dumping please contact the Public Works Department at (407) 971-5682. 

THANK YOU FOR PROTECTING OUR WATERWAYS!