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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 17 sources tracked

50-year-old theme and water park to close forever after summer season

Wild Waves Water and Theme Park in Federal Way will permanently close on November 1 after completing 50 seasons, though it will reopen temporarily on September 26 for BooVille and Fright Fest following the end of its aquatic operations. Meanwhile, New Jersey's Clementon Park and Splash World is shutting down permanently after 119 years in operation. The 52-acre property, which debuted in 1907 as a traditional trolley park, is being listed for sale. These closures reflect a broader national wave of amusement park shutdowns concluding the summer season.

RSS Source map (17)

What changed

New corroborating reports detail the permanent closure and site listing of the 119-year-old Clementon Park and Splash World in New Jersey.

Live updates

  1. Historic Amusement Parks Announce Permanent Closures

    Wild Waves Water and Theme Park in Federal Way will permanently close on November 1 after completing 50 seasons, though it will reopen temporarily on September 26 for BooVille and Fright Fest following the end of its aquatic operations. Meanwhile, New Jersey's Clementon Park and Splash World is shutting down permanently after 119 years in operation. The 52-acre property, which debuted in 1907 as a traditional trolley park, is being listed for sale. These closures reflect a broader national wave of amusement park shutdowns concluding the summer season.

    Why it matters

    Wild Waves joins a long history of western Washington water parks that have vanished over the decades despite visitor petitions to save the destination. Clementon Park and Splash World brings an end to over a century of family fun and roller coaster memories in South Jersey. The simultaneous closures highlight mounting economic and operational pressures facing traditional regional amusement properties across the United States.

    What is confirmed

    • Wild Waves Water and Theme Park is scheduled to permanently close its entire park on November 1 after completing 50 seasons.
    • Clementon Park and Splash World in New Jersey dates back to 1907 when the property debuted as a traditional trolley park.
    • The 52-acre Clementon Park is shutting down for good after 119 years and listing the site for sale.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Wild Waves will reopen on September 26 for BooVille and Fright Fest after ceasing aquatic operations for the season.

    What to watch next

    • Final attendance numbers and operations for Wild Waves leading up to its November 1 closure date.
    • Potential real estate buyers or future development plans for the 52-acre Clementon Park site in New Jersey.
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. www.kitsapsun.com — Wild Waves Water closes for good this year. See remaining schedule, closure dates
    2. insidethemagic.net — After 119 Years, One of America’s Oldest Theme Parks Is Closing Permanently
    3. www.aol.com — 119-Year-Old Amusement Park Announces ‘Difficult Decision’ to Permanently Close and List Site for Sale
    4. nj1015.com — A 119-year-old New Jersey amusement park could be gone for good
    confidence 100%

  2. Wild Waves Reopens Briefly Before Permanent November Closure

    Wild Waves has ceased aquatic operations for the season, but the facility will reopen on September 26 for BooVille and Fright Fest. The Federal Way property is scheduled to permanently close its entire park on November 1 after completing 50 seasons. Although visitors started a petition to save the destination, it joins a long history of western Washington water parks that have vanished over the decades. This closure follows a broader trend of iconic amusement parks shutting down across the United States as summer ends.

    Why it matters

    Amusement parks across the nation are facing closures as the summer season wraps up, including holiday event cancellations at other major parks. The permanent loss of Wild Waves marks the end of a 50-year run for Washington's largest combination theme and water park. Similar properties in the region have disappeared over the decades, shrinking the footprint of historic outdoor recreation options in western Washington.

    What is confirmed

    • Wild Waves is the largest combination theme and water park in Washington.
    • The park is located in Federal Way.
    • Aquatic attractions ended on Labor Day, marking the close of 50 seasons of operation.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Visitors have launched a petition in an attempt to save the park from permanent closure.
    • The rest of the park will reopen on September 26 with BooVille and Fright Fest, followed by a permanent closure on November 1.

    What to watch next

    • Whether the park proceeds with the scheduled September 26 reopening for BooVille and Fright Fest
    • If the visitor petition gains enough traction to alter the November 1 permanent closure date
    • Future redevelopment plans for the Federal Way property
    Sources used for this update (4)
    1. baynews9.com — Downtown St. Petersburg park gets millions in upgrades for year-round programming
    2. insidethemagic.net — Hersheypark Confirms Holiday Closure for 2026 After 20 Seasons
    3. www.fox13seattle.com — Wild Waves is gone. Here are the other Washington water parks that disappeared
    4. www.federalwaymirror.com — One last splash: Wild Waves closes its iconic water park
    confidence 95%

  3. Wild Waves Theme and Water Park Permanently Closes After 50 Seasons

    Wild Waves, the largest combination theme and water park in Washington, has permanently closed after 50 seasons of operation. Located in Federal Way, the park ended its aquatic attractions on Labor Day. While the facility is shutting down for good, some visitors have launched a petition in an attempt to save the park. This closure is part of a broader trend of iconic amusement parks across the United States closing as the summer season concludes.

    Why it matters

    The park served as a major regional destination for five decades. Its closure removes a significant combination attraction from the Washington state leisure market.

    What is confirmed

    • Wild Waves is located in Federal Way.
    • The park is permanently closing after 50 seasons.
    • Wild Waves is Washington's largest combination theme and water park.
    • The park closed its aquatic attractions on Labor Day.

    Still unconfirmed

    • A petition has been created to save the Wild Waves theme park.

    What to watch next

    • Outcome of the petition to save the park
    • Announcement of redevelopment plans for the Federal Way site
    Sources used for this update (10)
    1. thestreet.com — 50-year-old theme and water park to close forever after summer season
    2. KING5.com — Wild Waves makes final splash as water park set to close after Labor Day
    3. FOX 13 Seattle — Wild Waves Water Park permanently closing after 50 seasons
    4. KIRO 7 News Seattle — Petition created to save Wild Waves theme park
    5. The Independent — Saying goodbye to the memories: Iconic amusement parks across nation close for good as summer ends
    6. KOMO — Wild Waves water park closes after 50 seasons in Federal Way
    7. KIRO 7 News Seattle — Parkgoers enjoy Wild Waves for the final time
    8. www.yahoo.com — Beloved Washington water park shuts doors; amusement park closure nearing
    9. nypost.com — Hershey Park will permanently close beloved attraction of 32 years
    10. finance.yahoo.com — Biotech filed for bankruptcy 11 weeks before its big FDA decision
    confidence 100%