A cherished New Jersey amusement park with a 119-year history has closed without warning — and its owners are preparing to put the property up for sale.
Clementon Park and Splash World, a longtime Camden County attraction in South Jersey, said Wednesday that it had made the “difficult decision” to close after the 2026 season, marking the park’s second major shutdown in seven years.
The park’s last day of operation was 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,” the company said in a statement posted on Clementon Park’s website.
Chicago-based IB Parks & Entertainment, which owns Clementon Park and Splash World, said it hopes a new buyer will step in to take over the historic amusement park.
“It has been a privilege to care for a place that has meant so much to generations of families,” the statement said.
“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 owners said additional information about the planned sale of Clementon Park will be shared as it becomes available.
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.
