Is Union Park safe?
Orlando, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Union Park as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Union Park
“Go. Union Park is a standard, working-class suburban enclave in East Orlando that is generally safe for everyday visitors and residents. Exercise standard situational awareness along the busy commercial artery of East Colonial Drive, especially at night.”
About the area
Union Park is an unincorporated census-designated community east of downtown Orlando, characterized by established mid-century residential subdivisions and sprawling commercial strip malls along State Road 50. Visitors mostly come for authentic Latin American and Asian dining spots or neighborhood recreation at local parks.
- Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Diverse Dining
- Working-Class
Walking and biking in Union Park
Walk score: 41/100 · Bike score: 48/100
There are no shared bike-share docks in Union Park, but cyclists can connect to the nearby Little Econ Greenway multi-use trail just north of the neighborhood via Dean Road or Rouse Road.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent crime rates compared to Orlando's denser urban core and tourist corridors
- Established residential neighborhoods with a stable ~60% homeownership rate
- Diverse and highly regarded regional dining scene spanning Caribbean, Latin American, and Asian cuisines
- Close proximity to the University of Central Florida and major regional employment hubs
Cons
- Elevated property crime and vehicle break-ins centered in commercial strip plazas along SR 50
- Pockets of lower household income and aging rental infrastructure with modest deferred maintenance
- High vehicular traffic and frequent pedestrian accidents along East Colonial Drive
- Limited walkability and high reliance on personal vehicles
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along East Colonial Drive, concentrated near bus shelters, gas stations, and discount shopping centers, but large encampments are uncommon within the residential tracts.
What Union Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and busy with local commuters and school traffic; residential streets and parks feel very safe for walking.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active suburban flow around strip malls and arterial roads with high vehicle traffic but minimal safety concerns.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining plazas fill up with families and locals; parking lots are generally safe, though vigilance is advised around poorly lit sections.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential streets remain quiet, while commercial corridors along East Colonial Drive experience occasional loitering and property crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit is operated by LYNX, with primary service provided along East Colonial Drive by Link 104 and local connector routes like Link 436N. There is no direct passenger rail connection, with SunRail stations located several miles west in downtown Orlando.
Parking is abundant, free, and straightforward across vast surface lots at shopping plazas, parks, and residential driveways.
Things to do in Union Park
- Spend an afternoon at Downey Park enjoying the splash pad, dog park, fishing dock, and sports fields
- Explore the authentic international restaurants and bakeries along East Colonial Drive
- Access the nearby Little Econ Greenway for nature walks, wildlife watching, and running
Local favorites
- Lechonera Latina · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.3★ (2150)Popular cafeteria-style dining serving generous portions of roast pork, plantains, and traditional Caribbean sides.
- Tortas El Rey · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (1620)Casual counter-service eatery known for authentic giant Mexican tortas, tacos, and fresh aguas frescas.
- Mecatos Cafe · Bakery & Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (1890)Vibrant Colombian cafe serving artisanal coffee, empanadas, arepas, and fresh Latin pastries.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.