Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs joined the community at the opening and dedication of Deputy Scott Pine Community Park in Windermere on February 10, 2018.
Deputy Pine’s widow, Bridget Pine, and their children Haley, Ryker and Maddox, family members, dignitaries and guests attended the ceremony, honoring the legacy of Deputy Pine. February 11 marked the four-year anniversary of Deputy Pine’s passing while in the line of duty.
Hundreds attended the event that included remarks from District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Orange County School Board member Pam Gould, former Orange County Commissioner Scott Boyd and Orange County Parks and Recreation staff.
The 19.5-acre West Orange County park pays tribute to Orange County Sheriff Deputy Scott Pine, who lost his life on February 11, 2014, after responding to a call in a southwest Orange County neighborhood.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to make this day a reality, so that we may remember and honor the treasured memory of Orange County Deputy Sheriff Scott Pine,” Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said. “Since 2014, our community has pledged to never forget Deputy Pine, who paid with his life so that our community would be a safer place. This park will serve as a place of special remembrance for all those who loved Deputy Pine – not only to remember the good and loving heart that he brought to his work, or his devotion to his family, but above all, to honor Deputy Pine’s extraordinary sacrifice and tragic loss of life while protecting the citizens of Orange County.”
Located at 6865 Ficquette Road in Windermere, south of C.R. 535/Winter Garden – Vineland Road, the park is now home for the Windermere High School Wolverines’ football and track stadium and a recreational field.
“This day is so special, to be here and honor my husband,” Bridget Pine said. “For me and the kids and his family, to be able to know that other children are going to be playing here, he would just be so happy. We are truly honored and thankful to the community for doing this for our family.”
After the ribbon-cutting, the Pine family, along with community residents, walked the track and ran on the field.
The project was a joint effort between Orange County Government – contributing $3.7 million from funds from Mayor Jacobs’ INVEST in Our Home of Life initiative – and the Orange County School Board matching $3.7 million. Total construction cost was $9.7 million.
“This park will be an anchor for the community to cheer, gather and celebrate not only because of the activities generated by this unique joint venture with Orange County, but because at the heart of the park we honor a hero,” said Gould, who serves District 4 for the Orange County School Board.
Deputy Scott Pine Community Park is one of 100 parks, trails and facilities that the Orange County Parks and Recreation Division maintains on 15,000 acres of land. For more information, visit www.OrangeCountyParks.net.
