Kraft Azalea Park, Urban garden at Lake Maitland, Winter Park, Florida.
Kraft Azalea Park is a waterfront garden on the shore of Lake Maitland in Winter Park, Florida, known for its tall cypress trees and open views over the water. Along the shoreline, visitors find benches, a fishing dock, and grassy areas that face the lake.
The garden was laid out in 1938 by designer Martin Daetwyler, on behalf of George and Maud Kraft, who were part of the group that helped develop the Winter Park area. The Kraft family wanted this stretch of shoreline to be open to the public.
The stone arc near the water is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies and portrait sessions, especially among people from the surrounding area. The combination of cypress trees and open lake views makes it a natural backdrop for these occasions.
The entrance is at 1363 Alabama Drive, in a residential area with very limited parking, so arriving on foot or by boat tour is easier. The 5.22-acre grounds hold eight benches, short walking trails and a small dock on Lake Maitland used for fishing. The dock looks toward Dog Island, and local Scenic Boat Tours pass the park and its Exedra monument.
The park's stone Exedra monument at the water's edge has been used for photo shoots and weddings, and the Scenic Boat Tours from downtown Winter Park passes it on an 18-passenger trip, giving boat riders a view of the arc from Lake Maitland.
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