Oviedo

County: Seminole

The agricultural roots of the town of Oviedo and the Lake Charm area go back to the time when orange groves covered the land. As late as the 1950s, nearly a million crates of celery and a third of a million crates of citrus were being shipped from Oviedo each year. The selection in the mid 1960s of a site just south of Oviedo for a major institution of higher education, today's University of Central Florida (UCF), marked a turning point in growth for the area. The growth and maturation of UCF have enriched the community of Oviedo in terms of economy, education, recreation, and culture. Modern Oviedo offers a pleasing mix of well-kept older homes and vibrant new developments like Seminole Woods. Residents still enjoy the close-knit atmosphere of a small town, utilizing local tennis courts or strolling along the walking trails at Round Lake Park. Well-managed local parks provide sports fields, playgrounds, game areas, picnic pavilions, swimming pools, and tennis or racquetball courts. The close proximity of lakes and rivers ensure abundant opportunities for water-related recreation.