ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The future of historic Marineland Dolphin Adventure once appeared uncertain after its parent company filed for bankruptcy and developers eyed the property.
Now, six months later, the world’s first oceanarium remains open — under new nonprofit leadership focused on conservation, education and research.
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The park, which opened in 1938, was nearly sold last year to a Texas-based developer as part of bankruptcy proceedings involving its former owner, Mexico-based The Dolphin Company.
A federal bankruptcy judge ultimately approved the sale of Marineland to #1 Apex Association LLC, a group backed by Clay County couple Barbara and Jon Rubel and led by dolphin experts and former Marineland staff. The $6.5 million deal allowed the park to remain operational and avoided the relocation of most of the dolphins living there.
Today, employees say the atmosphere at the park feels dramatically different.
“Six months ago we were kind of scared this place wouldn’t be here,” longtime Marineland employee and historian Terran McGinnis said. “It really feels like sort of a miracle. Every day we’re grateful.”
McGinnis said the transition away from a larger corporate structure has allowed the park to refocus on its original mission.
“Now we’re just us,” McGinnis said. “We’re not part of a chain. We’re not part of a corporate structure or mold that never worked for us.”
The new ownership group says visitors can still expect many of the same experiences Marineland has long offered, including dolphin interactions and educational programs.
“What people have been loving about Marineland for the last many years is all still available,” McGinnis said.
The facility currently houses 13 bottlenose dolphins, according to staff.
Senior dolphin trainer Tess Shacknow said the animals were largely unaffected by the months-long legal uncertainty surrounding the property.
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“Nothing has really changed in their life through all the chaos,” Shacknow said.
She acknowledged staff worried about what could happen if the dolphins had been forced to relocate.
“The unknown is always a little bit scary,” she said.
During the bankruptcy proceedings, community members, conservation supporters and students sent letters to the Delaware bankruptcy court urging the judge to preserve Marineland as a functioning marine park rather than allow redevelopment of the property.
The judge cited those public concerns while approving the sale and praised efforts to preserve the park’s educational and research mission.
McGinnis said that public support ultimately helped save Marineland.
“Our story, the way that it didn’t end, is only because this community stepped up and refused to let Marineland go,” McGinnis said. “So keep coming back. We want to see you. We want to thank you.”
Marineland is celebrating its 88th anniversary next month with a community-wide scavenger hunt. Throughout June, the park will hide special Marineland tokens across St. Johns and Flagler counties. Anyone who finds one can call the number on the token to learn what prize they’ve won. Marineland’s anniversary is June 23rd.