Email: Doreen.Overstreet@ocfl.net
Phone: 407-836-5301
Denise Cochran, Public Information Officer, Orange County Environmental Protection Division
Email: Denise.Cochran@ocfl.net
Phone: 321-239-4488
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and District 6 Commissioner Victoria P. Siplin to Host Lake Lawne Water Quality Improvement and Reuse Pond Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
WHAT: In celebration of Earth Day, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and Orange County District 6 Commissioner Victoria P. Siplin will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Lake Lawne Water Quality Improvement and Reuse Pond at Orlando’s Barnett Park on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Earth Day is April 22, 2019.
The Lake Lawne Water Quality Improvement and Reuse Pond is designed to remove 650 pounds of nitrogen and 110 pounds of phosphorus annually from Lake Lawne (see attached graphic for more information).
Sustainability, innovation and collaboration are exemplified in this project. This represents one of the many important steps Orange County is taking to work with residents to help keep rivers, lakes and streams clean. The water from the pond is also used to irrigate nearby trees and aquatic plants, which conserves freshwater supplies. Additionally, the pond provides habitat for fish and wildlife.
The cost of the project was approximately $2 million, of which 75 percent was reimbursed by partners through grants and state funds. Partners include the St. Johns River Water Management District and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Orange County Environmental Protection Division worked with the Parks and Recreation Division and the Orange County Public Works Department to complete the project.
WHO: Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings
Orange County District 6 Commissioner Victoria P. Siplin
Orange County District 4 Commissioner Maribel Gomez Cordero
David Jones, Manager, Orange County Environmental Protection Division
Julie Bortles, Regulatory Compliance Program Coordinator, Orange County Environmental Protection Division, Water Sciences Program
Community and staff volunteers helping to make an “Earth Day impact.”
*Spanish speakers from Environmental Protection also available to the media.
WHEN: Saturday, April 20, 2019
9 to 11 a.m. – Volunteers cleaning Barnett Park
11:30 a.m. – Lake Lawn Water Quality Improvement and Reuse Pond Ribbon-Cutting
WHERE: Barnett Park
4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32808
About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.