Shingle Creek Regional Park

We visited Pioneer Village at Shingle Creek run by the Osceola County Historical Society. The Pioneer Village is a collection of carefully relocated structures that once stood in different areas of Osceola County. Each structure has been lovingly preserved to demonstrate how life was once lived, complete with Partin Family’s Caretaker’s House, Blacksmith’s Shop, Lanier «Cracker House» (an early-​American form of architecture defined by the center breezeway which created a natural air condition for the home), Tyson House (showing how an average farming family of 11 lived in a single room dwelling), The Cadman Complex (including bungalow, kitchen, bachelor’s quarters, and citrus packing house), Seminole Village, and Mary Kendall Steffee Nature Preserve. If you are a history buff or an avid photographer, this is a great place to visit.

The real side of Florida — that’s what you see when you visit this park. It’s an odd spot for a recreational park, but they built the visitor’s center and kayak rental building where Shingle Creek flows, which just happens to be in the heart of tourist land on 192 in Kissimmee. But you wouldn’t know that’s where you were when you’re kayaking down the winding path of Shingle Creek — the only sounds you hear are those of Mother Nature. Lined with century old oaks and cypress trees, the waters of Shingle Creek are colored brown from the tannic acid released from the decomposing tree leaves. The water is quite safe to travel on and plays host to Florida alligators (though we saw none on our journey), turtles, tons of local birds and various other indigenous animals. We rented our kayaks for one hour (two kayaks were less than $ 40) and truly enjoyed yourself. Parts of the creek are around 10 to 12 feet deep and some sections are knee deep, which makes for a fun adventure as you navigate your way down this watery maze. If you’re not a water lover, take heart, there is a biking and walking path that starts at the visitors center and provides you with an equally interesting experience. There are bathrooms available and refreshments can be purchased at any of the local restaurants located very close to this park. I highly recommend you visit this park and others like it because this is the real Florida!

Looks interesting, as seen in a small article in the Orl. Sentinel today: an eventual 32 mile multi use rec trail from Kissimmee to Wekiwa Springs & Orlando to Mascotte. Started yesterday is a 1.5 ml stretch in Osceola Co. W/​14′ path, boardwalks & bridge over the Creek to the new Pioneer Village (
) Here’s a link with some history:

This is a nice little out-​of-​the-​way oasis of quiet, not far from the heartbreaking, soulcrushing, drive-​me-​to-​alcoholism mindless bedlam of the Great Disney Footprint.
Judging by its absense from Google Maps and, until now, Unilocal,I assume it’s being developed as we speak. The piles of bulldozed groves nearby (a good thing) also speak to that effect.
Given that possibility, I will ascend my soapbox.
This place should totally have a disc golf course. Disc golf is growing, yet so very scarce in Orlando. I guess there’s the impediment of no trees or topography, but with the massive tract of former grove, the room is there.
From what I saw, they already have trails, historical buildings, a restroom, and. huh, I seem to recall a playground. It’s a fine place to spot some birds, have a picnic, or simply meditate on what a place can be like without a billion screaming advertisements assaulting you from every directions.