Some of the best square footage at The Central on Orange Lake never shows up on a floor plan. It is down by the water, at the Lakeside Pavilion, where the grill is warming up, someone has pulled a chair a little closer to the fire pit, and Orange Lake is going gold in the last light of the day.

This stop in Step Inside The Central heads outdoors, to the shared spaces that turn our corner of Downtown New Port Richey into one big backyard.

The Outdoor Spaces at a Glance

  • Lakeside Pavilion: A grill and a fire pit for cookouts and slow evenings
  • On the water: Kayak storage, with Orange Lake and Sims Park just across the street
  • On two wheels: Bike racks
  • For the dogs: A dog washing area, pet waste receptacles and no breed or size restrictions
  • On the road: On-site EV chargers and reserved resident parking
  • Peace of mind: Controlled access, a gated community

The Lakeside Pavilion: Everybody’s Backyard

Apartment living usually means giving up the backyard cookout. Not here. The Lakeside Pavilion has a grill for Saturday burgers, a weeknight fish fillet or the birthday party that outgrew your kitchen. When the sun drops, the fire pit takes over, and with it the kind of conversation that only happens around a fire. In Florida, fire pit season is short and sweet, which is exactly why the first cool evenings of fall feel like an event.

It is also where neighbors become friends. A pavilion is a shared space by design, and the people you meet over the grill are the same people you will wave to on Grand Boulevard the next morning.

Why Fall Is Outdoor Season in Florida

Up north, fall is when people head inside. Here, it is when we finally head out. The heavy heat of summer breaks, the afternoon storms ease up, and evenings by the water go from survivable to the best part of the day. It is the season for a cookout that does not end in a sprint for the air conditioning, a sunrise paddle before work and an evening ride to dinner on Grand Boulevard. Every shared space on this list was built for exactly these months.

Paddles Ready: Kayak Storage

A kayak is a wonderful thing until you have to store it in a one-bedroom. Kayak storage on property solves that, and the water is close. Orange Lake sits across the street, and Sims Park runs along the Pithlachascotee River, the “Cotee” to locals, which winds through Downtown on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Mornings on the river are one of the quiet luxuries of living here.

Two Wheels and a Charging Cable

Bike racks make it easy to leave the car parked. Downtown New Port Richey is compact enough that a bike gets you to coffee, the library, the theatre and a riverside dinner faster than circling for parking. For the drives you do take, on-site EV chargers mean you can top off without hunting for a station, and reserved resident parking means your spot is waiting when you get home.

For the Dogs

The Central on Orange Lake welcomes up to two pets per home, with no breed or size restrictions, and it plans for what happens after the walk. A lap through Sims Park can end muddy, so the dog washing area lets you rinse paws before anyone sets foot on the floors. Pet waste receptacles around the property keep the grounds clean for everyone who shares them.

Orange Lake and Sims Park at the Doorstep

Step past the gate and you are across the street from Orange Lake and Sims Park, the green heart of Downtown. Through the year, the park hosts free concerts, movie nights and community gatherings, and this fall’s lineup includes the City’s free Concert in the Park on Saturday, Nov. 21. The shops and restaurants that New Port Richey Main Street supports are a few blocks away. The Lakeside Pavilion is the backyard. Sims Park is the front yard. Downtown is the rest of the house.

Outdoor Amenities at The Central: Frequently Asked Questions

What outdoor amenities does The Central on Orange Lake have?

A Lakeside Pavilion with a grill and fire pit, kayak storage, bike racks, on-site EV chargers, a dog washing area and pet waste receptacles.

Is there a grill at The Central on Orange Lake?

Yes. The Lakeside Pavilion has a grill and a fire pit for residents.

Can I store a kayak at The Central?

Yes. The community has kayak storage, and Orange Lake and Sims Park, along the Pithlachascotee River, are across the street.

Does The Central have EV charging?

Yes. There are on-site EV chargers, plus reserved resident parking.

Is The Central on Orange Lake dog friendly?

Yes. Up to two pets are welcome per home, with no breed or size restrictions, and there is a dog washing area on site.

Where is The Central on Orange Lake?

6332 Grand Boulevard in Downtown New Port Richey, across from Orange Lake and Sims Park.

Life at The Central

The best way to feel the fire pit on a cool night is to sit by it. Take a look at our community amenities, check floor plans and availability, or schedule a tour. You can also call or text 727.478.0770 to learn more about life here.