Hello Friends for Fort Gatlin Park! The Fort Gatlin Historical Group is working to turn a forgotten piece of history into something beautiful.

Right now, an empty WWII-era building sits deteriorating in our neighborhood. Originally built by the U.S. Navy for sonar development during WWII, the building has long been out of use. The school district, which owns the property, boarded it up — and it’s become an eyesore that continues to deteriorate.

But what if this neglected space could be reimagined as a vibrant community park — one that honors the historic significance of the site while serving as a peaceful, green gathering place for our neighbors?

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️ Our Vision

We envision:

• A memorial walking trail honoring the site’s complete history from the early 1800's and settlement of Orlando to the WWII history, till today...

• An educational plaque or installation about the sites rich history

• A family-friendly park space with walking paths, benches, native landscaping, and shaded areas

• An area for community events and storytelling that reflects our shared history

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Why We’re Raising Funds

We need your help to:

• Cover initial planning and design fees

• Fund community outreach materials

• Support legal, architectural, and environmental reviews

• Start the application process for grants and public/private partnerships

Every dollar raised brings us closer to getting the land turned over and the park built for all of us.

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❤️ How You Can Help

1. Share our website with friends, family, and local groups to help us spread the awareness and create support

2. Join us — If you’re local and want to get involved, let us know

3. Donate — No amount is too small

Together, we can reclaim this site and build something future generations will be proud of.

Thank you for your support.