The Town of Penney Farms is a quiet residential area with a village like atmosphere, home at present to about 850 residents and named after the department store founder, JC Penney who bought land here in 1927. Our Town limits include State Road 16 designated as the J.C. Penney Memorial Scenic Highway which has a beautiful canopy of Oak and Magnolia trees. The Town is a National Tree City participant with many residential streets lined with trees and flowering shrubs.
Schools for all ages, K through 12, are nearby with school bus service to the Town. St. John’s River State College is 20 minutes away, with the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of North Florida reachable in an hours’ drive.
The Town has several parks open to the public:
- Kohler Park offers a large green space and an open covered pavilion with electric service, which is often used for community events and can be rented for private events for a nominal fee.
- Passive Park is connected to Kohler Park by a shaded, all accessible, trail through the woods, next to a rushing creek.
- Playground Park is completely fenced and features playground equipment, restrooms, outdoor grills, a sand volleyball court, basketball net and a covered (soon to be screened) large pavilion for family events. It is also available for rentals.
The Town is an active walking and biking community with two lighted Tennis Courts and a new Pickle Ball Court for residents and guests to enjoy.
Our Town hosts several special annual events that draw many visitors such as:
- The “J.C. Penney Scenic Highway 5K Run” with official time recorders and prizes for winners.
- An “Old Fashion Farm Day” with demonstrations of old-time skills of all kinds, and a variety of food and art vendors.
- The “Pancake Breakfast”, “Arbor Day Observance”, annual “Christmas Parade” followed by a potluck lunch and an annual “National Night Out Event” sponsored by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, also occur throughout the year.
The Town Hall hosts regular meetings for its Town Council on the third Tuesday of every month. The Council is a five-member group selected by vote of all residents. The offices are staffed each weekday by knowledgeable employees for questions or payments of water utility bills (recently the Town received the Florida Rural Water Association Award for the 2020 Small Public Water System of the Year).
Within our Town are several unique opportunities:
- Penney Retirement Community (PRC) is one of the oldest retirement communities in the country to feature complete continuing care, from independent homes and apartments to nursing care of all kinds.
- Mobility Worldwide (PET) is an all-volunteer, not for profit “factory” that builds wooden hand powered vehicles to provide personal transport for people with limited mobility in countries around the globe. Volunteers from many places produce these life changing vehicles.
- The Town of Penney Farm Historical Museum, located next to the Town Hall will be open to the public in 2021.
- The Town has two local historical churches: Penney Memorial Church, with an ecumenical interdenominational congregation and the New Hope Baptist Church founded in 1921.
- Our Town Post Office provides air mail services, receives UPS and Fed Ex packages, and is a place to see friends for the latest news, 6 days a week.
Near Penney Farms is our County Seat, the historic Town of Green Cove Springs, with shopping and restaurants, 2 museums, a beautiful park, and opportunities for swimming in a spring fed pool, fishing in the St, Johns River, and boating.
Jacksonville International Airport is only 45 minutes away. Hospitals, doctor’s offices, as well as places for sporting events, live theater and music are within easy driving distance. We are rural but not isolated.
The Town of Penney Farms invites all interested people to stop by and say hello to our friendly and well-informed staff while visiting the area. Please visit the links section on our website for more information.