Windermere, Florida (34786) is a town known for its picturesque setting

Windermere, Florida (34786) is a town known for its picturesque setting amidst the Chain of Lakes, its commitment to preserving its natural environment, and a strong, tight-knit community feel. As of mid-2025, the town is bustling with a mix of local initiatives, ongoing developments, and community events, all while navigating the broader trends affecting Central Florida.

Community Celebrations and Initiatives

A significant highlight for Windermere this year is its Centennial Celebration, marking 100 years as a community. This year-long commemoration, which began in January 2025, promises various events and activities designed to reflect on the town's history and celebrate its vibrant present. As part of this, the Town of Windermere recently launched a new mobile app in May 2025, aimed at improving communication and engagement with residents, providing easy access to documents, event information, and news updates.

In a move to further enhance its green spaces and commitment to being a "Tree City USA" for ten consecutive years, the town also announced a Legacy Tree Giveaway. Residents had the opportunity to apply for one of 35 trees, with applications closing in early July. This initiative underscores Windermere's dedication to maintaining its lush landscape and natural beauty.

Community participation remains a cornerstone of Windermere life, with various volunteer opportunities frequently arising. For instance, the town was actively seeking volunteers in March 2025 for a Centennial Country Fair, a large-scale event planned to celebrate its 100th birthday, highlighting the town's ability to mobilize its residents for shared community goals.

Infrastructure and Development

Windermere, while valuing its historic charm and unpaved streets in some areas, is also experiencing growth and development. The real estate market remains dynamic, with Windermere's average home price reaching around $995,000 in 2024, a notable 15.7% increase from the previous year. This surge in home values reflects the high demand for properties in the area, driven by Central Florida's growing population.

Several neighborhoods are particularly experiencing significant growth:

• Summerport is noted for its affordability (relative to other luxury areas in Windermere) and family-friendly appeal, with newer homes and amenities like parks and walking trails.

• Lake Butler Sound continues to attract high-income buyers with its exclusive, custom-built estates and serene lakefront settings along the Butler Chain of Lakes.

• Keene's Pointe, a large and iconic community with a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, maintains its prestige and sees consistent demand.

• Windermere Trails offers a modern suburban escape, appealing to families with its contemporary homes and dog-friendly parks.

• Ridgeview is emerging as a rising star, offering newer builds at more accessible price points, making it an attractive entry point into Windermere's expanding market.

New construction projects are ongoing, with developments like Palms at Windermere by Dream Finders Homes offering spacious homesites and upscale finishes near Disney World and Hamlin Town Center. These developments highlight the continued expansion of the residential footprint in and around the 34786 zip code.

Infrastructure improvements are also underway. Orange County Utilities announced a temporary water outage in May 2025 for part of the West Second Avenue Roadway project, indicating ongoing efforts to enhance town utilities and roadways. Additionally, the maintenance of pedestrian traffic was in place through March to facilitate hardscape completion for a new facility, showing the town's focus on both vehicular and pedestrian access.

Further out, in the broader Horizon West area, which often impacts Windermere residents due to proximity, several key developments are taking shape. Construction has begun on a new Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Hamlin, and a multipurpose sports facility has been proposed at Family Church Lakeside. Keke's Breakfast Cafe also recently reopened in Lakeside Village with new ownership and a refreshed interior. Roadway improvements are being fast-tracked in some areas, such as Hartzog Road for school access, though others like Flemings Road widening have been delayed.

A notable regional change impacting Windermere is the decision to end fluoride additions to Orange County's public drinking water supply starting July 1, 2025, due to new state legislation. This will affect all residents receiving water from Orange County.

Events and Activities

Windermere's event calendar reflects a diverse range of activities, from local town-sponsored gatherings to larger regional concerts and cultural experiences within easy reach.

Upcoming Local Town Events (July 2025 onwards):

• Code Enforcement Hearings: Held as needed on the first Thursday of each month at Town Hall.

• July 4th Pancake Breakfast & Car Show: A traditional town event featuring the Lone Sailor Division and Windermere Brewing Company, followed by a car show sponsored by the Sea Cadets with food trucks and live music (this event has already passed given the current date, but was a recent highlight).

• No ASL Class for Summer Break: American Sign Language classes for teens and adults, typically held on Fridays at the Community Conference Room, are on summer break and will resume on August 8th.

• Historic Preservation Board Meetings: These meetings will resume on September 1, 2025, typically held on the first Monday of each month at 5:00 PM in the Community Conference Room.

• Town Council Meetings: These generally occur on the second Tuesday of every month at Town Hall at 6:00 PM.

• Parks & Recreation Committee Meetings: Held on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 PM in the Community Conference Room.

Wider Orlando Area Events (easily accessible from Windermere): Windermere residents have access to a wealth of entertainment options in the greater Orlando area. Upcoming concerts and live events are plentiful at venues like Hard Rock Live Orlando, The Plaza Live, Kia Center, and Camping World Stadium. Artists like Ice Nine Kills, Will Wood, and The Weeknd are scheduled to perform in the coming months.

Cultural and community events also abound, including:

• Various professional networking events and happy hours hosted by groups like NextGen Orlando and OrlandoPreneur.

• Meetup groups cater to diverse interests, from "Walking for Fun at Disney" to "Beginning Web Development" and various tennis groups.

• Ongoing entertainment at local establishments, such as Karaoke Night, Music Bingo, and Trivia Night at places like Gator's Dockside Windermere and New York Beer Project Orlando.

• The 2025 International Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Conference is scheduled for July 18th at JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.

• The Orange County Drug Free Coalition Treatment Conference 2025 is also on July 18th at the Renaissance Center.

• Super Awesome Cool Pottery Camp @ Leu Gardens will run from July 21st.

• Looking ahead, major events like Dirtybird CampINN 2025 and Metamorphosis 2025 are planned for late August 2025, and Howl-O-Scream at SeaWorld Orlando 2025 will begin in September.

• For sports enthusiasts, the City of Ocoee's girls youth volleyball league registration is open for its fall 2025 season, starting in early September.

• A fundraising tournament for Windermere Elementary, featuring former Orlando Magic legends like Vince Carter and Grant Hill, is slated for August.

Local Business and Economy

The thriving real estate market in Windermere underpins a strong local economy. The influx of new residents and ongoing construction projects contribute to local business activity. With the opening of new restaurants and cafes in the nearby Horizon West area, residents have an expanding array of dining and retail options. The general economic outlook for Windermere remains positive, supported by its desirable location, highly-rated schools (Windermere Prep, for example, ranked #1 Private K-12 & High School in Orlando for 2025), and a consistent demand for upscale living.

In summary, Windermere, Florida (34786), as of mid-2025, is a community actively celebrating its past while building for the future. The town's centennial celebrations, commitment to environmental preservation, and ongoing residential and commercial developments paint a picture of a flourishing area. Coupled with a lively events calendar, both local and regional, Windermere continues to offer its residents a desirable blend of small-town charm and access to the amenities of a major metropolitan area.