A historic amusement park in New Jersey is suddenly shutting down after 119 years.
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Owners Said the Closure Was a "Difficult Decision"
The team at Clementon Park and Splash World, located in Camden County, South Jersey, announced the closure on its website on Sep. 9. It is the second time the amusement park has closed in seven years.
"After five memorable years, we are saddened to announce that we have made the difficult decision to close the park and plan to offer the park for sale," the statement begins.
As the New York Post reports, the owners of the amusement park, Chicago-based IB Parks & Entertainment, said the park could find another buyer.
"It has been a privilege to care for a place that has meant so much to generations of families," the statement continued. "We are hopeful that we will find a buyer who shares our love for Clementon Park and will carry its history and legacy forward."
The message said it will share additional details about the venue's sale as they become available. It did not explain why the park decided to close or how much it will be listed for.
"Thank you for the memories, the support, and five wonderful seasons," the statement concluded. "We are truly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey."
The Amusement Park Has a Rich History
The story of Clementon Park and Splash World begins in 1907. New Jersey Assemblyman and Civil War veteran Theodore B. Gibbs and his sons built the amusement park to lure tourists from Atlantic City.
A 1931 fire nearly destroyed the entire site, and it was difficult to attract guests from the 1940s through the 1960s. The grounds hosted boxing matches and dance performances for years.
Then in 1993, the park got a $5 million upgrade. Owners added Splash World, a sprawling waterpark. But the park later closed in 2019 after its then-owner defaulted on a $4.5 million loan.
Two years later, IB Parks & Entertainment purchased the amusement park at auction for only $2.37 million. It reopened in the summer of 2021.
