Secretary Byrd Designates Park Avenue District as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

Secretary Byrd Designates Park Avenue District as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. -

Today, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Park Avenue District, located in Winter Park, Orange County, has been designated the December 2025 Florida Main Street Program of the Month.

"It is fitting to recognize this Main Street Program in December," said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. "With a variety of Christmas and Chanukah celebrations, visiting Park Avenue District promises to be a memorable experience that embodies the true joy of the season."

Long before it became a shopping and dining destination, Park Avenue was the centerpiece of Winter Park's vision of a community where art, culture, and community could thrive beneath a canopy of oak trees. Chartered in 1887, the city was developed as a winter retreat for northern educators and entrepreneurs because of its natural beauty and surrounding lakes. The founding of Rollins College in 1885, Florida's first four-year college, and the completion of the railway in 1889, made Winter Park a hub for education. Over time, it grew into a beloved Florida Main Street community that is home to the Morse Museum of American Art, Rollins College, generations of family-owned businesses and countless traditions.

Photographs provided by Kran Kram Photo

More than a century later, that same community spirit inspired a new generation of leaders to unite under a shared purpose. In 2019, a group of local merchants, residents, and civic partners came together to establish the Park Avenue District, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the character and vitality of downtown Winter Park. Their goal was to preserve the architecture and design that makes Park Avenue unique, while helping it to grow for future generations.

Today, Park Avenue District remains the focal point of Winter Park, a place where history and business coexist beautifully. The scent of coffee drifts from local cafés as families stroll past boutiques and art galleries, while music spills from the Central Park stage, and the bells of Rollins College ring in the distance. The Park Avenue District works every day to keep this energy alive, connecting the Avenue's timeless elegance with new opportunities for creativity and connection. Since 2019, Park Avenue District has generated $1,305,405.16 in public and private investments. The district has seen an increase of 8 net new businesses that have created 108 net new jobs, and over 4,353 volunteer hours have been recorded. The District also looks to utilize state and local grant funding to enhance Park Avenue's beauty and accessibility, from marketing and business support initiatives to design improvements that celebrate the District's historic appeal. Every project tries to honor the atmosphere and history of Park Avenue.

Each holiday season, the Park Avenue District partners with the city to transform downtown into a winter wonderland, complete with the beloved Christmas Cathedral, Christmas Carousel, sparkling wreaths, and elegant bows. The festivities begin with an event called Light Up Park where you can ride a trolley down the Avenue on the night the lights are lit for the season. Other hallmark events include the Winter Park Sidewalk Sales, Trick-or-Treat on Park Avenue, Plated on Park, an annual event where guests gather for a shared meal along scenic Park Avenue, plus seasonal celebrations at Club 1882.

Through partnerships with the City of Winter Park, the Community Redevelopment Association, and the Florida Main Street program, the District has become a bridge between the Avenue's storied past and its vibrant present. It celebrates the authenticity of small businesses, champions beautification projects, and creates experiences that remind residents and visitors alike why Park Avenue is unlike anywhere else in Florida.

For more information on Park Avenue District, visit ParkAvenueDistrict.com.

To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 53 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center's Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida's downtowns - the community's heart and soul.