Two of the largest 55+ communities in St. Johns County. Different builders, different amenity profiles, different CDD structures — and one has a river.
WaterSong at RiverTown and Parkland Preserve are the two largest true 55+ age-restricted communities in St. Johns County by home count. Both are gated. Both are active-adult focused with pickleball, resort pools, and lifestyle programming. The differences that actually drive the buying decision come down to three things: location and what it gives you access to, CDD structure and what you will actually pay, and whether you want a standalone 55+ community or one embedded inside a larger master plan.
| Feature | WaterSong at RiverTown | Parkland Preserve |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | Mattamy Homes | D.R. Horton (Freedom Series) |
| Homes | ~800 | 367 |
| Age restriction | 55+ age-restricted | 55+ age-restricted |
| HOA | ~$5/month (~$60/year) | $230/quarter ($920/year) |
| CDD | Present — verify at sjcpa.us | $2,390–$3,924/year confirmed |
| Master plan context | 55+ enclave inside RiverTown master plan — shared amenities with all ages | Standalone gated 55+ community |
| Signature amenity | St. Johns River frontage, kayak launch, boardwalk | 150 acres preserved wetlands, 10 lakes, WGV golf nearby |
| Distance to St. Augustine | ~20 min south | ~15 min south |
| Distance to Jacksonville | ~25 min north | ~25 min north |
| Flood zone consideration | River adjacency — verify parcel flood zone | Inland — lower flood risk |
| Annual Cost at $450K Home (Year 1) | WaterSong (CDD est. $2,000) | WaterSong (CDD est. $3,500) | Parkland Preserve (CDD $2,390) | Parkland Preserve (CDD $3,924) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOA | $60 | $60 | $920 | $920 |
| CDD | $2,000 | $3,500 | $2,390 | $3,924 |
| Property tax (13.47 mills) | $5,388 | $5,388 | $5,388 | $5,388 |
| Year-1 Total | $7,448 | $8,948 | $8,698 | $10,232 |
If WaterSong's CDD comes in around $2,000/year, it is meaningfully cheaper than Parkland Preserve in every scenario. If it comes in at $3,500, it compares similarly to Parkland Preserve's low-CDD case. The river access and dual amenity structure add value that does not appear in a cost table — the question is whether that value is worth the difference to you specifically.
Parkland Preserve's amenity set is self-contained and 55+ only at every point: pool, pickleball, fitness, dog park, event pavilion — all within the gated community, all exclusively for 55+ residents. The 10 lakes and 150 acres of preserved wetlands provide natural scenery but not active water access.
WaterSong's amenity structure is layered. The WaterSong clubhouse and pool are 55+ exclusive. The RiverTown RiverClub — the river amenities, waterfront dining, kayak launch, boardwalk — is shared with all RiverTown residents including non-55 neighbors. If you want river access as a daily option, WaterSong is the only 55+ community in this market that provides it. If you want every amenity to be exclusively 55+, Parkland Preserve delivers that and WaterSong does not.
| If you want... | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Waterfront access, kayaking, river views, outdoor recreation | WaterSong at RiverTown |
| Fully age-segregated environment at every amenity | Parkland Preserve |
| Golf proximity (World Golf Village) | Parkland Preserve |
| Lower HOA line item (CDD unknown) | WaterSong (pending CDD verification) |
| Confirmed, transparent CDD amount | Parkland Preserve (verify your phase) |
| Larger community, more neighbors | WaterSong (~800 homes vs 367) |
| Inland location, lower flood risk | Parkland Preserve |
Verify WaterSong's CDD at sjcpa.us before comparing costs. If the CDD is under $2,500/year, WaterSong is the more cost-efficient choice and offers amenities — river access, dual clubhouses — that Parkland Preserve cannot match. If the CDD is at or above $3,500/year, the cost gap narrows and the choice comes down to whether you value water access over a fully age-segregated, inland community without flood risk.
Also compare: Parkland Preserve vs Reverie at Silverleaf — the CDD vs no-CDD math →
Pull the WaterSong CDD for the specific homesite you are considering and run the real cost comparison against Parkland Preserve. An agent can do both in one conversation.
Connect with a Local Agent →Parkland Preserve CDD $2,390–$3,924 confirmed from county records. WaterSong CDD scenarios are illustrative — verify at sjcpa.us. HOA figures from builder and listing sources. Property tax at 2025 St. Johns County millage of 13.47 mills with $50K homestead exemption. This page is for research purposes only.