Georgia's Serendipity Park listed for sale
Long-time nudist resort seeks buyer committed to preserving its naturist legacy
Serendipity Park, a beloved nudist resort in Cleveland, Georgia, has been put up for sale at a listing price of $1.8 million. This development comes at a time of uncertainty, with the current owners purportedly committed to ensuring the park remains a sanctuary for naturists. Despite the sale, the club continues to operate and has a full schedule of events planned for the summer. Serendipity Park is one of only a small handful of remaining family nudist resorts in the southern region (comprised of Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina).
A legacy and a planned transition
The park’s founder, Paul Jones, passed away in March of last year, after a prolonged battle with cancer. Paul, a veteran and successful entrepreneur, founded Serendipity Park in 1995. His vision was to create a family-friendly nudist resort where people could enjoy nature and a sense of community. The park has been a significant part of the naturist landscape since it opened on Independence Day 1996, evolving to offer amenities such as a clubhouse, pool, sauna, hot tub, café, and various rental options across its 40-acre expanse.
Following Paul’s death, the club was inherited by his life partner, Patty Reagin, and long-time manager, Stuart Antrim. The decision to sell the park was not taken lightly and has been part of Paul’s plan since 2018, according to Antrim. “We’ve been pretty adamant about keeping it a naturist property,” he told Planet Nude. “You wouldn’t believe the uprising if we did anything other than that.” Stuart also mentioned that they have turned down meetings with developers to ensure the park’s integrity is maintained. The hope is that the new owners will honor this commitment and continue the legacy of Serendipity Park as a nudist haven.
Rich history and community concerns
The history of Serendipity Park is a testament to its success and the close-knit community it has fostered over the years. Established in 1995, the park quickly became a haven for those seeking a naturist lifestyle. Stuart Antrim, who has been involved with the park since its early days, reflects on its growth and the enduring sense of community it has provided. “I’ve been here for most of it. I came along in the summer of ‘97,” he says. The park offers a variety of accommodations, including six fully equipped cabins, multiple RV sites, and primitive camping fields, making it a versatile and welcoming place for naturists of all kinds.
Still, there are concerns within the naturist community about Serendipity Park’s future in a region that has seen many club closures in recent years. In the late 1990s, Serendipity was one of at least seven family-friendly nudist clubs in Georgia. However, due to various challenges over the last three decades, it is now one of only three remaining in the state.
The sale of other nudist parks in the region has often led to them being converted into swinger clubs or going “textile,” despite initial assurances. Bell Acres in Maysville, GA, and Timberline in Crossville, TN, are examples where assurances to remain nudist were eventually broken. Bell Acres, sold in the early 2010s, initially maintained its nudist status but later ended its nudist status. Timberline faced a similar fate, with the new owners announcing a shift to a “lifestyle” club supporting swinger activities barely a year after the 2011 sale. The club now operates under the name Pandora’s Forest Resort. These all-too-common shifts have caused concern among naturists, who fear the potential for a similar outcome for Serendipity Park in a state where there are no other options for family naturists.
Hopes for preservation amid changing trends
Despite these apprehensions, there is a strong sentiment of hope that Serendipity Park will retain its nudist identity, and the club’s ownership seems intent that it will. The park’s loyal membership and its legacy as a family-friendly resort are viewed as pivotal factors in its favor. Stuart Antrim highlighted the park’s dedicated and friendly membership, noting, “We’ve gotten eight awards for our efforts. They really go out of their way to make everyone feel welcome.” The local community remains optimistic that a suitable buyer will come forward, one who will honor Paul Jones’ vision and maintain Serendipity Park as a nudist haven for years to come.
The park’s sale listing highlights its serene natural environment, privacy, and potential for growth through additional services and events. As prospective buyers evaluate this unique opportunity, the current owners and the broader naturist community are hopeful that Serendipity Park will continue to thrive as a bastion of body freedom and natural living in the American South. 🪐
Updated 7/20 @ 2:20pm PDT: updated to reflect two other AANR-affiliated naturist campgrounds in the state of Georgia, according AANR.com.
Strong, strong, strong recommendation: Make it into corporation owned by membership. That prevents it from being sold to non-nudists or people looking for a quick profit. In Southern California we are losing resorts right and left. Each one was privately and membership had zero power to stop the sale of the property. Glen Eden Sun Club is one of the two nudist resorts left and GE is the only corporate resort left. We are growing, profits go back into the resort (new pools, Tennis (6) courts, pickleball courts (6), RC racecourse, disc golf course, basketball/volleyball court, full service sites, dry camp sites, etc.
I love Serendipity! It was the first naturist resort I ever attended. Celebrated my 25th anniversary there. I hope it falls into good hands and continues the legacy!