A representative for the development company says they’re moving forward with plans for 415 apartments following Adventure Landing’s closure.
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The water slides are dry and the minigolf fairways are empty at Adventure Landing in Jacksonville Beach.
The amusement park announced its abrupt closure this week.
It may not sit empty for long, though, as developers already have a plan in motion.
“Usually, people tell me they’re vacationing here and my first question is, ‘Why,'” said Mind Bender Escape Rooms Owner Roger Baldwin.
Baldwin says tourists looking for something to do are a frequent customer for his escape rooms.
Over the years, he’s formed a symbiotic relationship with Adventure Landing with the amusement park set up right next door.
“We tried to work together with them,” said Baldwin. “We would send people to them, they’d send people to me. It was a pretty good relationship.”
Baldwin’s relationship ended when Adventure Landing announced it was closing its doors after 30 years.
“I’m like everybody else,” said Baldwin. “I’ve been hearing for years it was closing, it was closing, it was closing. I guess they finally closed it.”
The rumblings of the location closing started in 2021 when Adventure Holdings LLC filed for bankruptcy and announced it’d be closing at the end of that year.
Then, Jacksonville Beach city leaders approved a rezoning in 2022 to build apartments on the property, yet, the amusement park was still kicking after extending a fourth time to come back for a 30th anniversary this year.
An Adventure Landing spokesperson told First Coast News their lease wasn’t renewed again.
“They’ll be missed,” said Baldwin. “I’d like to hope someone else will come in and take their place for something to do in Jacksonville Beach.”
A representative for the Jax Beach based development company, Trevato, shared in a statement:
“I can confirm that Adventure Landing is closing this week. We anticipate that construction of a first in class, market rate apartment community will begin in Jacksonville Beach in the first quarter of 2026.”
He pointed out it’s the same plan previously voted on and has all been approved in permitting.
Baldwin will have to hope folks will keep checking out his escape games without his partner there any more to help send customers his way.
“I’d love to have more stuff here,” said Baldwin. “It’s a great place. It’s close to the city, it’s close to the ocean. What more could you ask for?”
The plans on Trevato’s website call for 415 apartments with a public/private coffee shop.