Beginning in World War II and through most of the Cold War, Orlando was home to two high-profile military installations: the Naval Training Center (NTC) Orlando and McCoy Air Force Base, the latter of which was the region’s largest employer before WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort opened in 1971.
Until the NTC’s decommissioning in 1999, these bases brought countless servicepeople and their families to the area. Many of those patriots built homes in what became known as the Audubon Park neighborhood, which — in honor of its namesake, the National Audubon Society — features tree-lined streets named after birds. In fact, Audubon Park was the first neighborhood in Central Florida to receive recognition as a Wildlife Habitat Community, certified through the National Wildlife Federation, which in turn has helped the district attract businesses and events focused on sustainability.
Today, the Audubon Park Garden District encompasses not just the original neighborhood, but also a vibrant main strip with sought-after dining, shopping, nightlife and special events. Land adjacent to Audubon Park that used to house the NTC was redeveloped as the exclusive Baldwin Park neighborhood.
