History of Fleet Peeples Park

Fleet Peeples Park (FPP), a 23 acre site, (13 acres of which is dedicated to off-leash for dogs), was purchased from the Catholic diocese by the City of Winter Park (WP) in 1975 and became known as Lake Baldwin Park.  In 1985 the park was renamed Fleet Peeples Park in recognition of a distinguished Rollins College swimming instructor.

In 2001, the WP Parks and Recreation Advisory Board suggested that people using FPP for off-leash recreation with their pets, form an organization to establish and maintain the off-leash recreation park use in cooperation with the City.  Friends of Fleet Peeples Park (FFPP) was formed as a result of public hearings held by the WP Parks Board, the steering committee known as FFPP obtained a non-profit status.

Since 2001, FFPP has been fully responsible for improvement costs and fundraising events related to improving and maintaining FPP as an off-leash recreational space.

In 2003, FFPP installed the first waste stations. These stations’ dog waste bags are supplied by FFPP at an annual cost of $4,000.00, and supplemented by waste station sponsors which generates around $2,000 per year.

In 2003, FFPP and Hands on Orlando volunteers helped the City parks staff install $12,000 of fencing donated by FFPP enclosing the off-leash recreation area.

After the hurricane damage of 2004, FFPP raised $5,000 for fence repair, organized volunteers whose efforts included tree trimming, mulching and general clearing over a 6-month period.

FFPP funded and installed a new information kiosk at a cost of $1600, to post social marketing education, park rules, community events, and nonprofit rescue events.

In 2005, FFPP volunteers constructed and paid for a dog wash for users of the park. ($1,000.00).

In 2006, FFPP installed drinking fountains for dogs and people ($5,000.00).

In 2006, FPP was honored as one of the top ten Best Dog Parks in the USA by Dog Fancy magazine.  (Deramaxx Grant contest).

In 2005, WP required that FFPP provide a Master Plan for site improvements.  After 2 years of public hearings and working with staff, FFPP obtained the first City commission Master Plan approval in 2007. The City then chose to revisit the Master Plan at the request of a new Parks board in 2008.  In the summer of 2009, the City commission approved a revised Master Plan.

Upon the Master Plan approval, FFPP was challenged by the City to raise the first $100,000 of the projected $800,000 necessary to retain the park as an off-leash dog park.

FFPP has a current balance of $45,000 and is seeking further assistance from foundations and private donations.