Howell Branch Preserve

Key Highlights

• ✓Clean park and well-maintained playground.
• ✓Clean restrooms are consistently available.
• ✓Features a mini boardwalk that overlooks a forested area.
• ✓A circuit sidewalk encircles a large open grass field.
• ✓Short forest trails are accessible (less than 10 minutes total walk time).
• ✓Paved walking loop includes exercise equipment.
• ✓The pavilion is spacious, clean, includes outlets, and comes with four 6ft tables and two 8ft tables.
• ✓Pavilion offers shade cover.
• ✓A water fountain is available for public use.

Standout Features

• ⭐Clean and spacious pavilion equipped with electrical outlets, 4x 6ft tables, and 2x 8ft tables, suitable for events.
• ⭐Pavilion is large enough to accommodate bounce houses and ball pits for private parties.
• ⭐Well-maintained playground with multiple slides.
• ⭐Mini boardwalk offering scenic views of the forested area.
• ⭐Paved walking loop with integrated exercise equipment.
• ⭐Large open grass field suitable for playing sports.
• ⭐Accessible restrooms and a water fountain.

Perfect For

Ideal For

🍎Food Policy

• • Plastic bags, straws, stirrers, and polystyrene (Styrofoam®) containers, plates, bowls, cups, and trays may NOT be sold or disbursed on city property (including the preserve) by staff, contracted vendors, or permittees.
• • The use of reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable materials is encouraged.
• • Food trucks are highly recommended to be on an approved list (contact the Fire Marshal at 407-599-3608 for the list and approval).
• • Cooking, warming, or serving of food (aside from food trucks) requires a separate permit (contact Kelsi Baker at kbaker@cityofwinterpark.org for information on the Cooking, Warming or Serving Food Permit Application).

🛡️Safety Policy

• • Event permit must be provided to City personnel at all times during the event.
• • Hiring of off-duty police officers and EMTs or security personnel may be required for events (minimum of 2 police officers for 3 hours each; arrangements through City of Winter Park Fire-Rescue and Police Departments).
• • A Public Safety Fee Schedule may apply to events (details not provided).
• • A general liability insurance certificate in the amount of $1,000,000 is required for events, naming the City of Winter Park as an additional insured. Additional insurance may be required in some cases.
• • Drone use requires a Remote Pilot Certification, FAA registration, $1,000,000 Drone Liability/Bodily Injury & Property Damage insurance, and a Certificate of Waiver from FAA for operation in certain airspace (city is within 5 miles of Orlando Executive Airport).
• • Pyrotechnics require immediate contact and approval from the Office of the Fire Marshal (407-599-3608).
• • Tents on city property must be weighted; staking is not permitted. Tents larger than 10x10 ft require a Tent & Events Under a Tent Permit Application for review by the Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department.
• • The outdoor release of balloons is prohibited by Florida law (Florida Statute 379.233) and is punishable by a fine.
• • Except on New Year’s Eve, fireworks displays may be required to take place by 9:30 p.m. or earlier. Notification or consent may be required to all property owners affected by the event and within 1000 ft (not required for New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day, and Independence Day).

📅Booking Policy

• • Event permit applications must be submitted no less than 60 days prior to the requested event date (for possible consideration due to a shorter time frame, contact 407-599-3342).
• • Event permit processing takes approximately 21 days. If City Commission approval is required, processing may take an additional 30 days.
• • Events are not approved until the permit is issued and required fees are paid. Advertising is not recommended until permit approval.
• • Incomplete event applications will not be accepted.
• • Event planning meetings are held at 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month in the City Hall Commission Chambers. Attendance is by reservation only (call 407-599-3342 to make a reservation).
• • No more than two special event permits will be granted for any single property of an applicant during a given calendar year, unless approved by the City Commission or City Manager.
• • A separate Parks & Recreation Park Use Application is required for events taking place within the boundaries of a city park (like Howell Branch Preserve).
• • A State Alcoholic Beverage License is REQUIRED for the sale of alcoholic beverages (call 407-245-0785 for information). Signatures of approval can be obtained through the City of Winter Park Building & Permitting Services Department.

🚗Parking Information

• • Limited on-site surface parking is available at the entrance to the preserve.