Imagine a bustling town center, where the sound of laughter and the sight of families enjoying themselves become the new norm. Thatâs exactly whatâs coming to Palm Coastâs Town Center with the arrival of Serenity Falls, an 18-hole mini golf course set to transform the area opposite Epic Theatres. But hereâs where it gets interesting: this isnât just another entertainment spotâitâs a bold move in a landscape dominated by apartment complexes and mixed-use developments.
Owned by Palm Coast resident Roland Delbois, Serenity Falls Mini Golf will occupy two rectangular acres at 1208 Central Avenue, nestled closer to Brookhaven Way. Delboisâs corporation, established in January, secured the land from Palm Coast Holdings/Allete in mid-April for $523,000. This purchase effectively split Palm Coast Holdingsâ acreage, making large-scale commercial or mixed-use projects like the Promenade nearly impossible on the remaining land. The parcels adjacent to the golf courseâ2.7 acres to the east and 8.2 acres to the westâare now isolated, raising questions about future development strategies.
And this is the part most people miss: the projectâs application dates back to late August, with preliminary construction plans already submitted. Groundbreaking is slated for early 2026. The cityâs announcement came just hours after Palm Coast Holdings filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging it cannot guarantee water and sewer services for potential developments in Town Center. This has reportedly hindered land sales, with potential buyers backing out in 2024 due to perceived service shortages. Could Serenity Falls signal a shift toward smaller, more manageable sales for Palm Coast Holdings? Itâs a controversial question thatâs sure to spark debate.
The city values Serenity Falls as a $1 million investment, promising a tropical, park-like oasis with lush landscaping, sparkling waterfalls, and Key West-inspired architecture. String lighting will add a warm evening glow, making it ideal for family outings, date nights, and friendly competitions. The course will cover most of the land, using minimal waterâprimarily reclaimed or recycledâfor its small ponds. A nearly 1,000-square-foot building will face Central Avenue, with a 20-by-30 covered pavilion behind it for events like birthday parties and graduations.
Hereâs a detail that might surprise you: only 13% of the land on the east side will be paved for an access road and 19 parking spaces (including two for disabled visitors). While the business requires 26 spaces, the remainder will rely on on-street parking along Central Avenue. The entire course, including the building, will be fenced in for safety and aesthetics.
Miniature Golf Solutions, a leader in the industry, will oversee construction. Operating hours are expected to be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, extending to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. While mini golf courses typically employ only a few people, the city hopes Serenity Falls will attract visitors and spur further investmentâmuch like Epic Theatres did over a decade ago.
But hereâs the controversial part: Is a mini golf course enough to revitalize Town Center? Some argue itâs a step in the right direction, while others question its long-term impact. City Council member Theresa Pontieri, who has been the de facto voice of the city, praised the project as a win for all generations. âItâs an example of how local entrepreneurship and thoughtful planning can bring our communityâs vision to life,â she said. But what do you think? Is Serenity Falls the kind of development Palm Coast needs, or is it just a drop in the bucket? Letâs hear your thoughts in the commentsâthis is a conversation worth having.
