Our Origins
A history of community
Deerwood was established in June 1960 on land that was part of the original Skinner family business. The Skinners established a Florida corporation known as The Deerwood Club, Inc. to develop their vision of a gated community with unusually high standards. Their ideas have been perpetuated through deed restrictions and the formal documents known as the Covenants and Restrictions.
Its residents, who purchased the community from the developer in August 1999, own Deerwood. The governing body — the Deerwood Improvement Association — is led by eleven residents elected to staggered three-year terms on the Board of Directors, whose responsibility is to manage the development in accordance with the twenty-one separate Covenants and Restrictions.
From its earliest days, Deerwood was built around its natural assets: the canopy of mature live oaks, the network of interconnected lakes, and the abundant wildlife that called this land home long before the first homes were built. Those values have shaped the community ever since.
Located at the NE corner of Baymeadows Road & Southside Boulevard, Deerwood sits within one of Jacksonville's most established and desirable residential neighborhoods, with convenient access to I-95 and I-295 while preserving a quiet, private atmosphere.
Founded by the Skinner family as The Deerwood Club, Inc., Deerwood is one of Jacksonville's oldest planned private gated communities — more than sixty years of history and tradition.
Located at the NE corner of Baymeadows Road & Southside Boulevard, with convenient access to I-95 and I-295 while preserving a quiet, private atmosphere.
The Community Today
A neighborhood of distinction
Today, Deerwood is home to 977 residences — ranging from 5-acre estate homes to garden homes and townhouses. The community's varied housing stock reflects decades of thoughtful development, with architecture that complements rather than competes with the natural setting.
Tree-lined streets wind through the community beneath a canopy of mature live oaks that provide shade, beauty, and habitat. Several interconnected lakes offer scenic water views and support a rich ecosystem of native wildlife — from great blue herons and osprey to river otters and white-tailed deer.
The Deerwood Improvement Association manages the community's common areas, security, and shared amenities, working to preserve and enhance the quality of life that has made Deerwood a sought-after address for more than six decades.
Deerwood operates as a private residential community. Access is managed through controlled entry points. Residents manage their accounts and payments through the Resident Portal, and register guests and service providers for gate access through the EIQ Connect app.
Where We Are
Southside, Jacksonville
Deerwood is located at the NE corner of Baymeadows Road & Southside Boulevard in Jacksonville's Southside — one of the city's most established residential districts, known for its mature tree canopy and strong sense of neighborhood identity.
The community is easily accessible from I-95 and I-295, while remaining tucked away enough to feel genuinely private and unhurried.
Downtown Jacksonville, the St. Johns Town Center, Mayo Clinic and other major medical facilities, and the beaches of the First Coast are all within a comfortable drive.
Nearby:
Baymeadows Road · Southside Boulevard · Interstate 95 · Interstate 295 · St. Johns Town Center · Mayo Clinic · Baptist and Memorial hospital campuses · Jacksonville beaches
School districts:
Served by Duval County Public Schools. Proximity to several highly regarded public and private schools in the Southside area.
Life in Deerwood
Deerwood Country Club
At the heart of the community sits the Deerwood Country Club — a private membership club that has been a defining feature of Deerwood since the championship golf course was first designed by George Cobb in 1960.
The club offers an 18-hole championship course stretching 7,350 yards, along with dining, fitness, aquatics, tennis, and pickleball facilities, and remains one of Jacksonville's most prestigious private clubs.
The Approach, a short par-3 course, is now open. It lets golfers sneak in a few swings when there isn't time for a full round, and it has proven popular with young and old alike.
The club's history also includes a run as a stop on the PGA Tour: the course hosted the Greater Jacksonville Open six times, in 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, and 1976.
Membership in the Deerwood Country Club is separate from residence in the community. Prospective members are warmly welcomed and should contact the club directly for membership information.
A short par-3 course, now open — ideal for a quick few swings when a full round isn't in the cards, and a favourite with golfers of every age.
Deerwood Country Club is a private club, and membership is separate from neighbourhood residency. New membership applications are warmly welcomed — visit deerwoodclub.com for details.
Governance
The Association
The Deerwood Improvement Association is governed by eleven residents elected to staggered three-year terms on the Board of Directors. The Board manages the development in accordance with twenty-one separate Covenants and Restrictions, overseeing common areas, architectural standards, and the long-term stewardship of the community.
Meet the Board Governing Documents