Dowling Park, FL...where I'll retire after RVing

Dowling Park's Advent Christian Village was Florida's first retirement community, founded in 1913 as a home for orphaned children and retired ministers and missionaries. 

For more than a century, the community has developed and grown, adapting its methods to keep pace with the needs of a changing society. Today it is a thriving 55+ community of nearly 800 members. The 1,200-acre campus offers scenic landscapes along the Suwannee River within a hometown atmosphere. Today's members come from all backgrounds, faiths, and economic abilities.

I came to take a tour and stayed overnight at Tresca Park, their small RV Park next to the Park of the Pines Mobile Home Neighborhood...one of the housing options at Dowling Park.

Pull-through, full hookup site at Tresca Park. Although they don't have long-term RV sites, I found out I can stay a month or two, so may do that next time I winter in Florida.

Bathhouse

My first stop was the Village Square to pay for my site at the Lodge. Only they didn't charge me anything since I came to take a tour. Nice!

There is a small grocery store here...and the sign says they deliver anywhere in the village.

 The second story is the Lodge...with rooms for rent overlooking the river. Many residents use golf carts, especially those that can no longer drive a car.

 The Post Office and the Village Cafe. I was early for my tour, so I had lunch here.

 Wednesday's menu: I had a bowl of chili and a half sandwich. $6

 There is outside seating by the river, but it was too cold today.

I took a little walk after lunch.

 View of the Suwannee River from the landing.

 Azaleas are blooming...I'm in the right place.

 There are other shops and offices in Village Square.

Hearing aid specialists...that's good.

 A small laundromat. $1.00 a load. There is also a barbershop and a beauty shop in this plaza.

This rack at the second hand shop had several nice London Fog coats for $3.00. I decided I didn't need one.

Across the street is the Sales and Rental Office among a row of the newest apartment complexes. This is where my tour begins.

 Nice looking apartment building. Notice the dogwood trees are blooming too.

This neighborhood has homes for rent. Later we'll see another neighborhood where members own their own home and land, another option for independent living.

 Another apartment building.

I was taken to see a vacant apartment in this complex.

 Living room looking toward dining area.

Bathroom. There is an emergency pull cord in every bathroom and bedroom in the apartments.

 Grab bars in the bathrooms.

 Emergency services are included in your membership.

This is a one-bedroom apartment, but the rooms were huge. I could park my whole RV in one room, haha.

 Kitchen

 Another room off the kitchen toward the back porch.

 Porch overlooks the woods.

Next we stopped at the village nondenominational church. This is the original church which nows serves as a chapel for evening services.

 Stained glass windows.

 This is the main sanctuary where Sunday services are held.

Across from the church by way of a covered walkway is the Phillips Center. This area houses the Lopin' Gopher Deli. The name is in reference to the old railroad that came through here.

The main dining room is also in this building. The main meal of the day is served here at lunchtime for those who wish to dine here (and not cook).

There is also an information center here, but I didn't stop to see what kind of info they dispense.

A mini library is in this building, but they have just completed building a new large library in the village.

 Sitting areas and conference rooms.

Everywhere we go, the landscaping is beautiful. I imagine a lot of volunteer hours go into helping with that.

 These are more apartments near the river. This building has 3 apartments.

 River Woods Neighborhood is all privately owned homes...some really nice ones in the $400,000 range. I wasn't interested in those.

 This is the Community Center. Outside is a Pickleball Court, Shuffleboard, and Tennis Courts. There are also walking trails.

Fireside seating inside.

 A large weight room with multiple television sets. The village has their own cable TV system and their own channel.

Heated indoor pool and spa. There are plenty of water exercise/aerobics activities scheduled, as well as time set aside for lap swimming. There is also an outside pool in the village, but this one gets more use.

Pool table

 Piano, chess sets

Large rooms for exercise classes: Yoga, Zumba, Low-impact Aerobics, Chair exercises, are just a few I saw listed. Use of these facilities is included in your membership.

This building holds administrative offices.

 Next we visited the medical facilities. This is the Clinic. There is a resident doctor and two nurse practitioners who work here. There is also a pharmacy, and dentist in this building. A Rehab/therapy department is housed here as well, including physical, occupational, and speech therapies. 

 I met the most important worker in the village...the maintenance man!

 This is the Assisted Living Complex which will soon be expanded, as the need is increasing for this service. There are also home health care services available.

 The Good Samaritan Center offers skilled nursing care and has a wing dedicated to Alzheimers care for those who reach that level of need.

 Good Samaritan Center.

These transportation vans run all over the village, all day long. Their use is included in membership. (Membership fees are $125/month)

This is a storage facility where some members store their large RVs.

This is another vacant apartment I looked at, on a cul-de-sac.

 Back side door enters into the kitchen from the carport.

View from the front patio.

 Living area.

 Bedroom

 Bathroom

 Kitchen

 Hook-ups for stacking washer/dryer.

After the tour I took Thistle for a walk through the mobile home park.

All yard and lawn care is included in your membership. maybe that's why everything looks so neat.

This small park model has just gone up for sale. It is new and has only been on the lot a short time. The owner is selling this and another home in Maine in order to move closer to children. It was very tempting, but I am not ready, and don't think it would be a good idea to leave it empty most of the year. Notice they have a Roadtrek that fits in their yard, Donna? It might be what you're looking for.

This is a community garden that any member can use to grow whatever they want.

More housing. These two large complexes are Dowling House and Carter House. they have apartments and efficiencies, some of which are subsidized for low income people though HUD. There is a waiting list to get one of these.

 Thistle and I took a hike on one of the trails by the river.

I met a member sitting here feeding some feral cats. She spoke highly of the village and has lived here 3 years.

 Map of some of the many walking/hiking trails.

 I walked the white trail along the river and back by the red trail.

 An old boat ramp that could still be used to launch a kayak. There is also a public boat ramp just outside the village.

 Do you see the canoes and kayaker?

 One reason I like this place.

 River views...

 "Way down upon the Su-wan-nee River..."

 Trails split off in different directions here.

 Thistle and I followed the Red Trail back.

 We ended up beside the Ceramics Shop...another hobby one can pursue.

 Maintenance buildings.

 And back where we started.

Dowling House on the left, Garden apartments in the middle, and carter House on the right. The tall ones have views of the river.

 Someone is very good at growing roses...they are everywhere.

 One more view of the gazebo and fountain.

So a note to my children...if I ever get to a point I can't make the decision for myself...bring me to Dowling Park. (You know...when I'm older than 85)