Six Flags is closing down one of its East Coast parks at the end of this season in a significant reshaping of the company’s “park portfolio.”
Maryland’s Six Flags America and its water park, Hurricane Harbor, will shut its doors for the final time in 2025, the amusement park giant announced Thursday.
“As part of our comprehensive review of our park portfolio, we have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan,” Six Flags CEO Richard A. Zimmerman said.
Six Flags America sits on 500 acres of land and will be sold as a redevelopment opportunity as part of the company’s “long-term growth plan.”
The land was originally used as a wildlife center created by former presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1974.
A theme park was opened in 1992 and went through several name changes before Six Flags acquired the venue, turning it into its 10th park in 1997.
“This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests,” Zimmerman added. “We are grateful to our park associates who work hard to create lifelong memories for our guests, and Six Flags is committed to supporting all impacted associates through the closure process at the end of this year.
Severance will be paid to the park’s 70 full-time staffers, but hundreds of local residents, including teenagers have looked to the park for employment during previous summers.
The theme park, located 19 miles from Washington, D.C., is home to the world’s third-oldest wooden roller coaster.
Wild One, formerly known as Giant Coaster, was first opened in 1912 at Paragon Park in Massachusetts.
After the New England amusement park was shuttered, the ride was moved to its current location at Six Flags America and rebranded to what is known now in 1986.
It is the oldest coaster across all Six Flags.
Other featured rides include “Roar,” “Superman: Ride of Steel,” and the region’s tallest water coaster, “RipQurl Blaster.”
The company did not detail the fate of the attractions.
The park’s final day is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2025.
Thursday’s announcement left community members with mixed feelings.
“It is deeply disappointing to hear that Six Flags America, a long-standing fixture in our community, will be closing its doors after years of service to Prince George’s County,” Councilmember Wala Belgay said.
“This amusement park has not only provided entertainment and memories for countless families, but it has also been a critical community partner,” she wrote.
Council chair Edward Burroughs remained optimistic for the various possibilities that the land could be used for in the future.
“Initially, I was not happy about it,” he said according to NBC Washington. “But the reality is, it’s a real opportunity.”
“I really do view both of these as an opportunity to attract the type of projects that will uplift Prince George’s County,” Burroughs said. “The stadium has been there for a number of years, and frankly, we have not seen the type of revenue generated from that location since it’s been there. And so, I view this as an opportunity for both locations.”
