JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – A favorite Jacksonville Beach spot is reopening for another season this weekend.
Adventure Landing’s Shipwreck Island Waterpark has been open for 30 years, bringing a lot of memories for local families. However, this might be the water park’s final season. The key word is “might” because that has been said several times for the last four years.
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News4JAX spoke with the owner and assistant general manager, who said they are planning to be at the current Jacksonville Beach location beyond that time frame, at least for the time being.
The water slides and the wave pool are going to be back open this Saturday officially kicking off spring break and its new season that will stretch over the next six months.
Saturday’s season-opener marks 30 years of the park being open.
News4JAX asked the community to send in some of their memories of the beloved family spot.
“I was 15 when it opened. We went as a family and played mini golf and went go-karting. Many fun memories at all parts of it and been to a few birthday parties as well,” Annmarie A. wrote.
Windy Leaptrott, the assistant general manager at Adventure Landing, said the amusement park reaching 30 years is significant.
“It is huge. I’ve been here since 2009, so I’m looking at 16 years here at the park,” she said. “Through thick and thin, through not knowing and knowing, I am here and proof to see that we have all the staff here. They love it here. They come back, they keep coming back. We have kids that started off as regular cashiers that move up into management positions.”
Although the amusement park has been expected to close over the last several years, Leaptrott said the development group that owns the property has given Adventure Landing eight different extensions to remain open since 2021.
“We have been fortunate to successfully extend our lease many times already, which I think speaks volumes about the value that we bring to the Jacksonville Beach community,” Leaptrott said. “Rather than focus on uncertainties, we’ve concentrated on what matters the most, which is continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for our families.”
Trevato Development Group owns the property and has plans to build an apartment complex.
It would be 415 units with 30 of them serving as affordable housing. The site would also include 5,000 square feet of retail and office space.
The proposed plans started to take shape in 2021 with the Jacksonville Beach City Council voting to approve it in 2022.
MORE | Jacksonville Beach City Council votes to replace Adventure Landing site with apartments
Adventure Landing’s owner Hank Woodburn said so far he has not heard of any definitive plans from the development group yet about the future.
He saID since there is still uncertainty, he and other amusement park representatives have held internal discussions about what relocating would look like.
Woodburn said he would like to stay in either Duval or move to Clay or St. Johns Counties, if it gets to that point.
However, Woodburn said right now, his focus and hope is to stay at its current location.
“Normally, we will hear from [Trevato Development Group] in the summertime,” Woodburn said as he mentioned the development group typically would call him in July in the past to offer an extension. “They will grant another extension, hopefully, and many more after that. We have not heard anything and we are currently planning our 31st year.”
When Woodburn was asked if he was planning for Adventure Landing to be at its current Jacksonville Beach location beyond September 2025, he said “Correct.”
“What is important for everyone to understand is that our commitment to this community is not changing,” Leaptrott said. “Adventure Landing is here to stay in the Jacksonville market and we are optimistic and continuing our pattern of cooperation with our landlord while we work on long-term solutions.”
News4JAX reached out to Trevato Development Group several times, including more than five phone calls and voicemails, emails and even visiting an office with an address listed online in Jacksonville Beach on 1st Street North.
At the time of this publication, we had not heard back.
Adventure Landing’s Shipwreck Island Water Park opens officially Saturday at noon.
There is expected to be music with a live DJ, TV show character appearances and at least 30 prize giveaways.
Check here for the amusement park’s hours throughout the season and ticket pricing information.
