STOP THE DEMOLITION OF MARINELAND — PROTECT FLORIDA’S HISTORY AND COASTAL ZONING
STOP THE DEMOLITION OF MARINELAND — PROTECT FLORIDA’S HISTORY AND COASTAL ZONING
The Issue
PETITION: STOP THE DEMOLITION OF MARINELAND — PROTECT FLORIDA’S HISTORY AND COASTAL ZONING
To:
Town of Marineland Commission (Mayor Pinder and Commissioners)
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (Chair Christian Whitehurst and Members)
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners (Chair Andy Dance and Members)
The Ask: Preserve Historic, Tourist-Commercial Zoning for Marineland
We demand that the Town of Marineland Commission, the St. Johns County Commission, and the Flagler County Commission reject any request for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment or rezoning of the historic Marineland property (9600 N Oceanshore Blvd). This land, the site of the world's first oceanarium, must retain its designation as Tourist Commercial for public use, education, and tourism, and be protected from demolition for residential development.
Why Marineland Cannot Be Lost to Housing
The Marineland property is currently being pursued by a major residential developer, signaling a clear intent to demolish the existing, nationally recognized structures and replace them with housing. This development would not only destroy a piece of history but permanently harm the public character of the region:
1. Erasure of a National Historic Landmark
Marineland, originally "Marine Studios," is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an irreplaceable site, pioneered in 1938 as the world's first oceanarium and underwater film studio.
Loss of Public Heritage: Demolishing this site for private residential use is an act of cultural and historical erasure that would destroy a globally significant landmark in Florida's history.
Pioneer Status: The concept of the modern public aquarium was born here, making it a critical asset for the entire state's cultural identity.
2. Protecting the Coastal Land Use Policy
The land is located on the pristine barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River. Its current Tourist Commercial zoning is appropriate for its history and its sensitive coastal environment.
Traffic and Infrastructure: Rezoning to residential will introduce more intense development, exacerbating traffic on A1A and placing unnecessary strain on infrastructure and emergency services in both Flagler and St. Johns Counties.
Unprecedented Rezoning: The counties must uphold their Comprehensive Plans, which designate this unique, split-jurisdiction parcel for public-facing, tourism-driven uses, not for private, high-density housing that provides no benefit to the traveling public.
3. Support for the Town of Marineland’s Identity
The very existence of the Town of Marineland is rooted in its role as a steward of this marine science and tourism destination. Allowing rezoning would undermine the Town's local governance and its ability to attract public-serving, educational interests back to the site.
Our Call to Action for County and Town Leadership
We urge the elected officials of the Town of Marineland, St. Johns County, and Flagler County to coordinate and use every legal and procedural tool available to prevent this loss.
Town of Marineland: Immediately and formally deny any zoning or land use change request that deviates from the current Tourist Commercial classification.
St. Johns & Flagler Counties: Send a clear, unified message to the Town and the public that any rezoning of this historically significant, coastal land does not align with the counties' comprehensive plans for tourism, conservation, or responsible growth.
Encourage Preservation: Publicly encourage and support bids from conservation-minded organizations or specialty tourism developers who will preserve the historic structures and restore the public, educational function of the site.
Sign this petition to tell all three governing bodies that the legacy of the World's First Oceanarium is worth more than a housing development.
Connect with Your Leaders
After signing, please contact your County Commissioners and the Town of Marineland to voice your support for this petition:
Flagler County Commission
St. Johns County Commission
Town of Marineland Commission
The Issue
PETITION: STOP THE DEMOLITION OF MARINELAND — PROTECT FLORIDA’S HISTORY AND COASTAL ZONING
To:
Town of Marineland Commission (Mayor Pinder and Commissioners)
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners (Chair Christian Whitehurst and Members)
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners (Chair Andy Dance and Members)
The Ask: Preserve Historic, Tourist-Commercial Zoning for Marineland
We demand that the Town of Marineland Commission, the St. Johns County Commission, and the Flagler County Commission reject any request for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment or rezoning of the historic Marineland property (9600 N Oceanshore Blvd). This land, the site of the world's first oceanarium, must retain its designation as Tourist Commercial for public use, education, and tourism, and be protected from demolition for residential development.
Why Marineland Cannot Be Lost to Housing
The Marineland property is currently being pursued by a major residential developer, signaling a clear intent to demolish the existing, nationally recognized structures and replace them with housing. This development would not only destroy a piece of history but permanently harm the public character of the region:
1. Erasure of a National Historic Landmark
Marineland, originally "Marine Studios," is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an irreplaceable site, pioneered in 1938 as the world's first oceanarium and underwater film studio.
Loss of Public Heritage: Demolishing this site for private residential use is an act of cultural and historical erasure that would destroy a globally significant landmark in Florida's history.
Pioneer Status: The concept of the modern public aquarium was born here, making it a critical asset for the entire state's cultural identity.
2. Protecting the Coastal Land Use Policy
The land is located on the pristine barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River. Its current Tourist Commercial zoning is appropriate for its history and its sensitive coastal environment.
Traffic and Infrastructure: Rezoning to residential will introduce more intense development, exacerbating traffic on A1A and placing unnecessary strain on infrastructure and emergency services in both Flagler and St. Johns Counties.
Unprecedented Rezoning: The counties must uphold their Comprehensive Plans, which designate this unique, split-jurisdiction parcel for public-facing, tourism-driven uses, not for private, high-density housing that provides no benefit to the traveling public.
3. Support for the Town of Marineland’s Identity
The very existence of the Town of Marineland is rooted in its role as a steward of this marine science and tourism destination. Allowing rezoning would undermine the Town's local governance and its ability to attract public-serving, educational interests back to the site.
Our Call to Action for County and Town Leadership
We urge the elected officials of the Town of Marineland, St. Johns County, and Flagler County to coordinate and use every legal and procedural tool available to prevent this loss.
Town of Marineland: Immediately and formally deny any zoning or land use change request that deviates from the current Tourist Commercial classification.
St. Johns & Flagler Counties: Send a clear, unified message to the Town and the public that any rezoning of this historically significant, coastal land does not align with the counties' comprehensive plans for tourism, conservation, or responsible growth.
Encourage Preservation: Publicly encourage and support bids from conservation-minded organizations or specialty tourism developers who will preserve the historic structures and restore the public, educational function of the site.
Sign this petition to tell all three governing bodies that the legacy of the World's First Oceanarium is worth more than a housing development.
Connect with Your Leaders
After signing, please contact your County Commissioners and the Town of Marineland to voice your support for this petition:
Flagler County Commission
St. Johns County Commission
Town of Marineland Commission
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Petition created on October 10, 2025