Lancaster Ranch will be Kissimmee’s biggest park to date
Kissimmee’s biggest park should be underway by fall 2022 and it’s probably not what you would expect.
The 150-acre Lancaster Ranch project is what you call a passive park with open spaces, rustic pavilions, livestock and pastures.
Steve Lackey, with the city’s parks and recreation department, said it will still look like an active ranch but have a touch of modern facilities.
“Lakefront Park is modern and state of the art,” he said. “This one will look more rustic.”
The $7.5 million project will include a playground, access to hiking and bike trails, pavilions, canoe and kayak access and a dog park. The city purchased 100 acres from the Lancaster family, a wellknown Kissimmee doctor, about 20 years ago with conservation in mind. Then another 50 acres was bought a few years ago.
Funds were secured through state and federal grants as well as money from the city’s capital budget. AECOM is designing the project – the same designer of Kissimmee Lakefront Park.
“Land is getting gobbled up and this lets us hold onto the history of the area,” said Lackey. “We want to hold onto the ranching history.”
While in the park, visitors will be able to read about ranching with informational signage and details about Native American artifacts that were found on the property.
The eight pavilions will be large with wood and stone facades and porches with ceiling fans. Composite wood and earth tones will make up the playground and walking paths will include native plants and large live oak trees. Along with these amenities, there will be five restrooms throughout the property and two small shelters at the dog park.
Lackey said the park will be built in phases and by the end of this year the engineering and design will be completed. The first phase will be access to Shingle Creek for canoes and kayaks. It will be three to five years before construction is fully completed, he says.
Kissimmee Mayor Olga Gonzalez said the City Commission is excited about Lancaster Ranch.
“We are looking forward to this 150-acre area project starting in the near future as it will provide various options to residents and visitors to enjoy,” she said.
There will be two access points for the park with one off of South John Young Parkway and another from Jack Calhoun Boulevard. A separate project on the property may include a field house in the future for basketball courts and tournament space. Lackey said the building would be designed to mimic a barn and a third party would be used for funding.
“We have the footprint and space for it,” he said. “The theme and design of Lancaster Ranch is to celebrate the heritage of Osceola County.”
