The Jacksonville Beach Adventure Landing received another extension and will remain open until March 31.
It is the second reprieve for the water and amusement park. It was scheduled to close Oct. 31 and then Dec. 31.
The 22 acres where the park operates at 1944 Beach Blvd. is part of a larger adjacent site where property owner JB Fair Park MF LLC plans to build a 427-unit apartment community.
The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission deferred rezoning plans Dec. 13. Landowners want more time to address city planning department questions about wetland and flooding concerns.
Adventure Landing part-owner Hank Woodburn said he asked the landowners in early December for another extension after the city planning staff recommended denial of the rezoning request.
Adventure Landing employs 50 people during the winter, but will increase that to 150 when the water park opens March 1, Woodburn said.
In the past, Adventure Landing has been the largest youth employer in the county, he said after receiving the first extension in October.
“We have had a few people leave. But I have a very loyal staff who enjoy working here and they are hanging with us,” he said.
Adventure Landing includes an arcade, water park, go-carts, batting cage, miniature golf and rides. The water park is closed for the season.
Woodburn said the park employs about 100, rising to 285 in the summer.
The Jacksonville Beach Adventure Landing opened in 1995 and is profitable, Woodburn said.
If zoning issues continue, Woodburn said he will ask for more extensions.
“We are very hopeful. We are prepared to extend further. It is out of our control,” he said.