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Reported: February 2023

Orlando Downtown Connector... E. Anderson St., Orlando

Part of the "Orlando Downtown Loop"

The Orlando Downtown Connector, running aside E. Anderson St. just south of downtown, is a 1.7 mile section of the emerging 8.5 mile Orlando Downtown Loop. The western end of the Connector is at Summerlin Ave. (Plans are to connect to the Orlando Urban Trail via a route in design phase, see map.) Heading east for 1.7 miles, it connects to the Lake Underhill Path. The Connector parallels the SR 408 expressway, with plenty of road noise. Thus, we do not rate this as a "destination ride," but rather a safer off-street biking option, connecting downtown to other bike trails, while passing scenic Wetlands Park and historic Greenwood Cemetery (1880). (Map and photos below.)

Orlando Downtown Connector
Bike Trail Map

Location: Orange County (Orlando)
End Points: Summerlin Ave., Lake Underhill Rd.
Mileage: 1.7 miles
Surface: Asphalt, 12'
Trailheads/Parking: Greenwood Urban Wetlands, Col. Joe Kittinger Park, Lake Underhill Park (See map)
Nearby Points of Interest: Greenwood Cemetery, Greenwood Urban Wetlands

Bike Shops / Rentals: N/A

 Page Summary:

1. Biking the Downtown Connector Trail
   - Connector along E. Anderson St.
   - "Shortcut" to Kittinger Park and Hwy 50
2. Nearby Places of Interest
   - Greenwood Cemetery
   - Greenwood Urban Wetlands
3. More Information and Resources

Biking the Downtown Connector Trail... Comments and Photos

The City has done a nice job adding landscaping and trees which will provide welcome shade when mature. The negatives are: (1) the ride can be noisy due to traffic along busy E. Anderson St. and SR 408, and occasional air traffic from nearby Orlando Executive Airport; (2) there are multiple driveways and road crossings, the largest being at Summerlin Ave., Mills Ave., Bumby Ave., Primrose Dr., Crystal Lake Dr. and Lake Underhill Rd. - be careful and use crossing signals. There are three parking options available: (1) Greenwood Urban Wetlands, off E. Anderson St. at Mills Ave. (parking); we like this for its central location; (2) Col. Joe Kittinger Park, along the Lake Underhill Path on Crystal Lake Rd. north of SR 408 (parking, playground); (3) Lake Underhill Park, along the Lake Underhill Path going west along Lake Underhill Rd. (parking, restrooms).

Connector along Anderson St.

Starting at Summerlin Ave. (where it will eventually link to the Orlando Urban Trail), the Downtown Connector trail runs on the south side of E. Anderson St. about 1.7 miles to Lake Underhill Road where it meets the Lake Underhill Path. The wide path is an easy ride past mostly residential areas. Along the way, a pleasant stop is at the Greenwood Urban Wetlands, adjacent to historic Greenwood Cemetery (more below). Take note and care at the busy intersections as noted above. At Lake Underhill Road, cross to the Lake Underhill Path (link below) and turn left (under SR 408) to continue on the Orlando Downtown Loop past Kittinger Park, Orlando Festival Park and Orlando Executive Airport, or turn right to continue east on Lake Underhill Path to Lake Underhill Park and Park of the Americas.

"Shortcut" to Kittinger Park and Hwy 50

Another option for continuing on the Orlando Downtown Loop as it turns northbound is to cross E. Anderson St. at Crystal Lake Dr. Go under SR 408, then cross South St. This emerges at Col. Joe Kittinger Park, go straight on the northern leg of the Lake Underhill Path.

Nearby Points of Interest

Greenwood Cemetery

Historic Greenwood Cemetery, established in 1880, covers over 100 scenic and serene acres with rolling hills and abundant foliage. The burial site of many Orlando founders and dignitaries, locals will recognize names on the tombstones from the streets and neighborhoods named after them. There are sections dedicated to Veterans dating back to the Civil War, and to Pulse nightclub victims. There also are unmarked plots for African Americans who were victims of lynching. The Babyland sections were sad, including many births and deaths on the same day. The cemetery grounds are open to visitors daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The popular Moonlight walking tours (free) present an informative history of Orlando (temporarily suspended at this writing). There are reports that the cemetery is haunted, with ghost tours occasionally available. We visited the Weeks and Wilmott mausoleums, but no encounters.

Greenwood Urban Wetlands

Greenwood Urban Wetlands, a 19-acre park on the cemetery's west side, is home to various birds and wildlife. A scenic paved trail circles Greenwood Lake, including two wooden bridges. The park is dog friendly, with a dog obstacle course and memorial. Created in 1991 to filter stormwater from the Lake Como and Lake Davis neighborhoods, the park has grown into a lovely urban oasis.

More Information and Resources

More Nearby Biking:

Orlando Urban Trail
Lake Underhill Path
Orlando Downtown Loop

Orange County Trails - see Overview Map for more nearby

Related Resources:

City of Orlando - Downtown Loop
City of Orlando - Greenwood Cemetery

See all bike trails in Orange County