MAY EDITION: News & events for Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis

Snowbirds have once again flown north, so this is the time of year downtown Mount Dora parking is more plentiful for locals. If you haven't been in a while, now is the perfect time to discover what's new in the historic district.

Kids will have to wait a little longer to cool off this summer at the splash pad in Wooton Park. Due to the construction, the airplane-themed attraction is expected to remain closed until mid-July. You can get an idea of what the park's new playground will look like here. The City of Eustis is in the process of hiring lifeguards, so its Splash Pad and Aquatic Center will hopefully be open by Memorial Day weekend.

The first Friday in May is Cinco de Mayo! Celebrate at your favorite local Mexican cantinas and watering holes in Mount Dora, Tavares, and Eustis. To find the best places to go, check out the entertainment calendar here.

A new residential community in Mount Dora received final approval from the City Council last month. Juniper Multifamily Townhouses is a 266-unit development to be built on 30 acres near the northeast corner of U.S. 441 and S.R. 46. The townhomes are permitted to be rentals or owner-occupied units.

After a downtown parking study was updated last year, the City of Mount Dora is looking into the strategies suggested to improve parking. The City's purchasing manager is currently creating the documents for companies to bid on a mobile app to help ensure convenient short-term parking in the downtown core and encourage longer parking in the fringe areas. There are currently 211 parking spaces in the core and 591 in the fringe area. The downtown core is defined as the area bounded by 5th Avenue on the north, 3rd Avenue on the south, Baker Street on the east, and Alexander Street on the west.

Scroll down for buzz on local eateries and stores, plus local Government Buzz, and the Best of Mount Dora winners. Be sure to follow Mount Dora Buzz's Instagram for more local content.

Mount Dora is getting a fun, new restaurant concept downtown. Construction is expected to start this summer on the new free-standing eatery. The two-story building in the historic district will also feature two full bars. Read more

Foxtail Coffee opened its third location in the area last month. Downtown Tavares now joins Eustis and Mount Dora with its farmhouse-style location. Unlike the other nearby franchise locations, the cozy Tavares cafe serves up lattes, flat whites, and teas from a converted historic home. Read more

Another new spot to grab your early morning cuppa joe popped up in Mount Dora. Brews & Blooms Coffee Cafe serves coffee, tea, smoothies, and more. It's tucked inside The Yard Stop Garden Center at 4200 N. Highway 19A.

Aquas Tropicales is a new food truck offering birria tacos, Mexican street corn, aquas frescas, and fresh fruit cups. The truck will be parked at 15327 Old Highway 441 in Tavares with varying hours.

Scroll down for this month's featured events, hot local government topics, stellar local businesses, new development buzz, and the Best of Mount Dora and local resources.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working to enhance safety for walkers and cyclists along the Wekiva Parkway trail near Camp Challenge Road in Sorrento. FDOT has installed signs and devices reminding drivers to slow down at the trail crossing on S.R. 46 near the S.R. 429 interchange.

Mount Dora City Council voted last month to transition police dispatch services from Mount Dora Police Department to Lake County. This will not change the process for the city's residents, who will still dial 911 for police, fire, and medical emergencies.

Be sure to check Mount Dora Buzz's government page regularly to find out what's happening at Mount Dora City Hall. Scroll down for the 'Buzz' about new development.

Discover fun and helpful area information on social media by following these local resources:
Mount Dora Events
Mount Dora Foodie
Explore Mount Dora
Mount Dora Word of Mouth
Lake County Emergency Management

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