Jacksonville boasts that it has the largest urban park system in the United States with 80,000 acres of parks, including 405 city parks, seven state parks and two national parks. And now the city is one step closer to adding a surf park to that list as global developer Aventuur and a group of local partners today announced a new development for the Florida city.

In a press release Aventuur said they had secured a high-quality site for eTown, a masterplanned community located off State Road 9B on the Southside of Duval County being developed by The PARC Group.

“The Jacksonville Surf Park will deliver a sustainable surf park community authentic to North Florida, providing quality sport, recreation, hospitality and tourism amenities that celebrate the region’s surfing heritage, culture, and outdoor coastal lifestyle,” the company said in a statement. 

At the center of the development will be a 56-module Wavegarden Cove lagoon. Alongside the surfing lagoon, the surf park will also feature a high-performance surf academy, boutique hotel, health and wellness center, beach club, food and beverage offering, retail stores and event space.  The phased masterplan allows for a mix of entertainment, retail, multifamily residential and green spaces in the future.

Aventuur Co-Founder and CEO Nicholas Edelman said he was delighted to reach this important milestone.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring the Wavegarden to the Jacksonville community,” said Nicholas. “We met our local partners in March 2022, and admire the passion they have for both surf and the city of Jacksonville. We have built an incredible amount of trust between our partners and The PARC Group, and we are extremely proud of the site we have secured for the development.” 

Nicholas added that Aventuur recognizes the potential benefits of these developments for community health and wellbeing, as well as the enjoyment associated with surfing. He expressed anticipation for the Jacksonville Surf Park project, which aims to support grassroots surfing, collaborate with charitable organizations, and strengthen partnerships with local government to enhance employment opportunities and improve residents’ quality of life.

Alongside Aventuur, the local general partnership (GP) consists of multi-generational developers, engineers and contractors. Among the GP, Lockwood Holmes, Jr., Riley Skinner and Hawley Smith said they are committed to delivering a surf park that is “by Jacksonville, for Jacksonville.”

“My partners and I have travelled across the United States to surf multiple wave pools, each time returning home with the dream of delivering this same experience for our North Florida community,” said fellow GP member Brad Davis, Senior Vice President of Prosser | PrimeAE. “For nearly a decade we have researched, planned and strategized to bring this amenity to our town, but were unable to deliver it on our own. This all changed when Aventuur secured the Wavegarden rights for Jacksonville.”

Aventuur and the GP said they are collaborating to merge the expertise of an established surf park developer and operator with the local knowledge of a prominent Jacksonville team.

PARC Group President Chris Pilinko also shares in the excitement for the new surf and wellbeing destination coming to eTown.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Jacksonville Surf Park to eTown, as it aligns with our vision of creating a vibrant, sustainable community that fosters outdoor recreation, wellness, and connection,” said Chris.  “This world-class destination not only enhances the lifestyle opportunities for our community but also reflects the spirit of innovation and engagement that eTown was founded on. We look forward to the positive impact it will bring to North Florida and our community.”

The mixed-use amenities will promote community development, including the establishment of youth and social surfing groups to foster connections among residents and visitors. The park will feature waves, surf instruction, fitness training, and recovery options suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to elite athletes. Additionally, programs focused on mental wellness, water safety, resilience, and surf therapy will encourage guests to cultivate both mental and physical health.

Subject to further regulatory approvals, construction is expected to commence in 2026, ahead of the Jacksonville Surf Park opening to the public in the fourth quarter of 2027.