I love living in NorthLake Park! I still remember the day I turned down NorthLake Parkway for the first time and saw the tree canopy hovering over the Charleston Town Homes. Ironically, growing up in South Orlando, I never imagined living in Lake Nona. It was “too far” from the Belle Isle community where I was living and knew like the back of my hand. I couldn’t imagine going 15-20 minutes farther south near the county line.
NorthLake Park broke ground just after the new millennium and comprises four communities – Enclave, Morningside, Neoclassical and Waters Edge. Unlike other neighborhoods that separate themselves from others, NorthLake Park is one neighborhood with four communities. NorthLake Park has multiple green spaces, playgrounds, ponds, walking/biking trails and access to Lake Nona.
The wildlife you might see in NorthLake Park is second to none. It is very common to see the deer roaming the streets at all times of the day, but they are most active in the morning as they graze for food. The birds that nest in our trees range from blue jays and cardinals in the spring to the red-tailed hawk sitting atop the trees, waiting to find prey. With multiple ponds, NorthLake Park has a few alligators roaming the side of the ponds, sun bathing and enjoying their natural habitat.
NorthLake Park Community School and the Lake Nona YMCA facility is the epicenter of the community. It is one-of-a-kind, as the school and YMCA share a facility and partner together to enhance NorthLake Park and Lake Nona. With many teachers living in the neighborhood, Michelle Barber wrote, “My daughter loves that she gets to see her teachers from NorthLake Park in the neighborhood.” Amanda Francis, who teaches at NorthLake Park, said, “I love the community feel that both [NLP and YMCA] create.”
With a school and a YMCA in the neighborhood, it is very common to hear the sound of children playing and laughing. It is almost impossible to not hear children playing in NorthLake Park, regardless of where you live in the neighborhood. Jennifer Gillan sums it up best, “I love to listen to the kids running around outside playing.” With multiple green spaces and playgrounds, there are plenty of places for children of all ages to engage outside. The best part is that you will frequently see adults alongside children playing, exercising and bicycling with their children.

Ultimately, it is the people who make NorthLake Park a spectacular place to live. With monthly community events, it is difficult not to know your neighbors or create bonds and friendships that last for a lifetime, not just a season in time. Norma Coto said, “We can feel the love and caring – there is a connection among us.” And Nancy Bigot piggy-backed on that comment and said, “The friends we have made have become more like family than just neighbors.”
In times of grief and struggle, the community of NorthLake Park rallies like none other. We all recall when our community rallied around the Sheerer family, as their son Trevor bravely fought cancer for five years. Trevor’s mom Jody wrote, “I will never forget the love and support my family received while my son battled cancer for 5 years. When Trevor lost his battle, they put ‘We Love Trevor’ signs in front of their homes, and a beautiful plaque has been put up on magnolia green and a tree in memory of him at NorthLake Park Community School.” Neighbors rose up and supported the Sheerer family endlessly from making meals to doing fundraising events to help offset medical costs.
There are so many unique aspects that make NorthLake Park special and stand out. Unfortunately, I can give you only a snapshot of what life is like here. Words cannot do justice to seeing the sun setting over Lake Nona or Orlando International Airport, seeing kids playing tag on multiple green spaces, or seeing neighbors helping single moms and the elderly as Hurricane Irma was heading our way. NorthLake Park is more than just a neighborhood.
Ten years ago, that tree canopy changed my life, as I soon sold my home in Belle Isle and called NorthLake Park home. My passion for Lake Nona and my love for NorthLake Park has grown daily ever since. NorthLake Park is more than just a neighborhood, it is a place to be, become and belong.