A beloved 119-year-old New Jersey amusement park has abruptly shut down — and is going back on the market.
Clementon Park and Splash World, located in Camden County, South Jersey, announced Wednesday that it made the “difficult decision” to shutter the park after the 2026 season, marking its second major closure in seven years.
The park’s final day in operation was on Monday.
“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,” a statement posted on the park’s website said.
The park’s owners, Chicago-based IB Parks & Entertainment, said they hope another buyer will take over the longtime attraction.
“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.”
More details about the sale will be released as they become available, the owners added.
The park did not give a specific reason for the decision to close or say how much the property will be listed for.
The 52-acre attraction has featured rides including the Hellcat and Dragon Coaster roller coasters, the Ring of Fire looping ride, Thunder Drop drop tower, Sea Dragon swinging ride and a giant Ferris wheel.
Clementon Park was built in 1907 by New Jersey Assemblyman and Civil War veteran Theodore B. Gibbs and his sons to attract tourists from Atlantic City to Clementon, a South Jersey suburb of Philadelphia.
The park underwent a major expansion in the 1920s that brought state-of-the-art rides before a 1931 fire nearly destroyed the entire site.
During a period of decline from the 1940s through the 1960s, the grounds were used for dance performances and boxing matches.
Splash World was added in July 1993 after a $5 million renovation, giving the aging amusement park a major new attraction.
The park has also changed owners several times.
The Gibbs family sold it in 1977 to Miami nightclub owner Abram Baker, who ran it with his family until Adrenaline Family Entertainment purchased the property in 2007.
The park closed in 2019 after its then-owner defaulted on a $4.5 million loan from TD Bank.
IB Parks & Entertainment bought the attraction at auction for $2.37 million in 2021 before reopening it that summer.
IB Parks & Entertainment also owns the historic Indiana Beach Amusement and Water Park as well as Niagara Amusement Park & Splash World.
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