A Mount Dora advisory board to discuss Donnelly Park changes during July 24 public meeting

ABOVE: The concept plan for Donnelly Park changes to include. Note: event tents are not permanent structures. See more renderings and site plan belowl

During a July 1 Mount Dora City Council meeting, significant changes were proposed to the city’s central park at the corner of Donnelly Street and Fifth Avenue.  The plan includes a covered stage with grass and concrete terracing for seating, multiple concrete walkways, a 10-foot-wide vehicle lane for loading and unloading during special events, a shaded space for VIP seating, multiple small retention ponds, and other elements.  To offset the large amount of added impervious concrete, multiple small retention ponds were also included in the design to aid in managing stormwater runoff.  Although not included in the concept design, the retention ponds (labeled “rain gardens” in the drawing) may pose a safety concern to children and could require safety fencing. (see proposed site plan below)

The proposed project will be discussed again at the July 24 meeting of Mount Dora Parks & Recreation Advisory Board which will allow time for public comments on the designs. 

For decades the grassy hill in Mount Dora’s picturesque central park has been a popular downtown amenity for kids to run, play, and roll down the hill.  The new design concept significantly reduces the park’s green space which effectively transitions the family-friendly park into an event and pickleball venue which serves a different demographic.  

The proposed hardscaping and pathways in the concept design are intended to address existing accessibility and maintenance challenges in the park, according to Mount Dora Director of Public Information, Misty Sommer.  However, the park is currently ADA compliant since two of its sides are currently accessible.

Donnelly Park sits directly across the street from Mount Dora Music Hall which has a 605-seat auditorium for various events, and is also approximately four short blocks from Elizabeth Evans Park, another event venue which has a bandshell and can seat 3,000, according to the City.  Additionally, Sunset Park, which is predominantly cement and other hardscaping, is another downtown special event venue, and is approximately 2 blocks away from Donnelly Park.

The project is a priority of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, according to Sommer.  The committee gave their approval to the concept design on May 27, 2025. During that meeting Shonk advised the committee the park "needs to be a central park for special events."  It’s unclear who made that specific determination.  At the meeting, the board was directed by staff to pick one of two design concepts or combine the elements.  They weren't give the option to vote down both design concepts.

The concept design the board chose was then presented to Mount Dora City Council on July 1, by Mount Dora Parks & Recreation Director Troy Shonk.  In a memo to the advisory board for the upcoming meeting, Shonk stated the concept had been approved, however the City Council did not vote on it or approve it.  Mount Dora Mayor James Homich expressed strong opposition to the design and its decrease in green space and family-friendliness.  

The park’s proposed changes also were identified as priorities in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, according to Sommer.  However, the concept design conflicts with the goal of preserving and increasing the City’s green space. 

City staff consulted with at least two private stakeholders on the design, and Shonk gained their approval. However, advance buy-in and input from the city’s main stakeholders, its residents, had not been sought.  

Unless the Mount Dora Parks & Recreation Advisory Board decides to go a different direction, the next step is the presentation and voting on full engineering and design plans by the board and City Council.  The cost of engineering and final plans will be in addition to the $16,400 for the initial design concepts.  Once the engineering plans are finalized, estimating the cost of the project can ensue and a source for funding can be sought.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 24, at 5:30 p.m. at Mount Dora City Hall at 510 N. Baker Street.  The public is welcome to attend and may speak on the topic or listen for more information.

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