OakLeaf Plantation: Suburbia Built to Last?
Established in 2002, Oakleaf Plantation is a massive 6,400-acre planned community located partially within Jacksonville and in Clay County. Known for its affordable housing prices, good schools, pristine streets, and recreational areas, Oakleaf is one of the fastest growing communities in Northeast Florida.
Oakleaf in 1999
While staunch urbanists may view it negatively because it's suburbia, visually, it's a significant improvement above the haphazard sprawl that defines Clay County's congested Blanding Boulevard corridor. Adjacent to Jennings State Forest, when complete it will include two pedestrian friendly Village Centers, a public library, five public schools, 11,000 homes and 2.5 million square feet of commercial space.
Oakleaf in 2014
As of the 2010 census, it was home to 20,315 residents. According to Oakleaf's website, the community is more than your new home. It's also your new hometown. The same could be said of Arlington and Cedar Hills fifty years ago. Judging from their current revitalization struggles, the challenge facing OakLeaf will be if it is able to stand the test of time, once the new-ness wears off. With that in mind, here's a look at the five distinct districts that make up Oakleaf Plantation.
Forest Hammock
Most of OakLeaf's current residential development is taking place within Forest Hammock. Located west of the clock tower on OakLeaf Plantation Parkway. The 203-acre development consists of 700 single family lots surrounded by nature preserves with lakes and ponds.
Eagle Landing
Eagle Landing is the southernmost community in OakLeaf. Here, you'll find a golf course and large single family homes situated near nature preserves. When the First Coast Expressway is completed, an interchange with Oakleaf Plantation Parkway is expected to spur significant retail development.
Hamilton Glen
Plantation Oaks
Located in Clay County, Plantation Oaks is bordered by Oakleaf Plantation Parkway and the First Coast Expressway. Here, you'll discover thousands of multi-family housing units adjacent to an elementary school, middle school, and high school.
Millstone Village at Oakleaf
The Preserve at Oakleaf
Oakleaf Amenity Center
Chestnut Ridge
Oakleaf Commons Shopping Center
Plantation Oaks Elementary School
Willowbrook at Oakleaf
Oakleaf High School
Oakleaf Village
Located in Clay County, Oakleaf Village is situated east of the First Coast Expressway. Consisting of mostly single-family housing, Oakleaf Village features an elementary school, village center and a massive community recreation center. Of interesting note, Oakleaf Village was constructed on the former site of the U.S. Navy's Branan Field. Branan Field was used for the development of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron,later to be known as the "Blue Angels".
Cannons Point
Village Oaks
Mixed-Use Area
The Mixed-Use Area is the Jacksonville portion of OakLeaf Plantation. Straddling Argyle Forest Boulevard, it features the most intensive commercial uses within OakLeaf. The 850,000 square foot OakLeaf Town Center is the largest shopping center in the Mixed-Use Area. Its major tenants include Target, Kohl's and Home Depot. Additional commercial uses are anticipated to sprout in the vicinity of Argyle Forest Boulevard's interchange with the First Coast Expressway.
Oakleaf Town Center
Argyle Forest Boulevard
Epic Theatres
First Coast Expressway
Article and images by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com
Oakleaf in 1999
While staunch urbanists may view it negatively because it's suburbia, visually, it's a significant improvement above the haphazard sprawl that defines Clay County's congested Blanding Boulevard corridor. Adjacent to Jennings State Forest, when complete it will include two pedestrian friendly Village Centers, a public library, five public schools, 11,000 homes and 2.5 million square feet of commercial space.
Oakleaf in 2014
As of the 2010 census, it was home to 20,315 residents. According to Oakleaf's website, the community is more than your new home. It's also your new hometown. The same could be said of Arlington and Cedar Hills fifty years ago. Judging from their current revitalization struggles, the challenge facing OakLeaf will be if it is able to stand the test of time, once the new-ness wears off. With that in mind, here's a look at the five distinct districts that make up Oakleaf Plantation.
Forest Hammock
Most of OakLeaf's current residential development is taking place within Forest Hammock. Located west of the clock tower on OakLeaf Plantation Parkway. The 203-acre development consists of 700 single family lots surrounded by nature preserves with lakes and ponds.
Eagle Landing
Eagle Landing is the southernmost community in OakLeaf. Here, you'll find a golf course and large single family homes situated near nature preserves. When the First Coast Expressway is completed, an interchange with Oakleaf Plantation Parkway is expected to spur significant retail development.
Hamilton Glen
Plantation Oaks
Located in Clay County, Plantation Oaks is bordered by Oakleaf Plantation Parkway and the First Coast Expressway. Here, you'll discover thousands of multi-family housing units adjacent to an elementary school, middle school, and high school.
Millstone Village at Oakleaf
The Preserve at Oakleaf
Oakleaf Amenity Center
Chestnut Ridge
Oakleaf Commons Shopping Center
Plantation Oaks Elementary School
Willowbrook at Oakleaf
Oakleaf High School
Oakleaf Village
Located in Clay County, Oakleaf Village is situated east of the First Coast Expressway. Consisting of mostly single-family housing, Oakleaf Village features an elementary school, village center and a massive community recreation center. Of interesting note, Oakleaf Village was constructed on the former site of the U.S. Navy's Branan Field. Branan Field was used for the development of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron,later to be known as the "Blue Angels".
Cannons Point
Village Oaks
Mixed-Use Area
The Mixed-Use Area is the Jacksonville portion of OakLeaf Plantation. Straddling Argyle Forest Boulevard, it features the most intensive commercial uses within OakLeaf. The 850,000 square foot OakLeaf Town Center is the largest shopping center in the Mixed-Use Area. Its major tenants include Target, Kohl's and Home Depot. Additional commercial uses are anticipated to sprout in the vicinity of Argyle Forest Boulevard's interchange with the First Coast Expressway.
Oakleaf Town Center
Argyle Forest Boulevard
Epic Theatres
First Coast Expressway
Article and images by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com