A major theme park that has been in operation for decades will close for good this year, in a “significant loss” for locals. The site in Bowie, Maryland, USA, had been a wildlife centre in the mid 70s, before gradually being converted into a theme park. It had various name changes before becoming Six Flags America in 1999 and has long been a go-to spot for thrillseekers in the region.

But Six Flags President & chief executive Richard A. Zimmerman revealed this week that the beloved park will be closing in late autumn, as will the neighbouring water park, Hurricane Harbour. Zimmerman said the company would be marketing the 500-acre site as a redevelopment opportunity, saying in a statement on 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.

“After reviewing a number of options, we believe that marketing the property for redevelopment will generate the highest value and return on investment.”

He added that it was a “difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests”.

“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,” Zimmerman said.

Commercial real estate services and investment firm CBRE have been engaged to market both parks for sale, Blooloop reports.

The final day of operation is set to be Nov. 2, 2025, with severance paid to the park’s 70 full-time staff members, The New York Post reports.

2025 Six Flags season passes and tickets will remain valid up until it closes, CBS News reports.

The park is home to one of the country’s oldest rollercoasters, Wild One, which was first opened in 1912 as Giant Coaster at Massachusetts’ Paragon Park, before being moved to the Bowie site.

Other notable rides include Superman: Ride of Steel, Roar, and RipQurl Blaster, the tallest water coaster in the Mid-Atlantic region.

It’s not yet known what will become of the park’s numerous attractions.

Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay said news of the park’s closure was a “deeply disappointing”, and represented a “significant loss, expecially for our District 6 families who have built generational ties to the park”.

Blegay, a local representative, added that while the news is difficult, “it is also a pivotal moment for us to reimagine what comes next”

Prince George’s Council Chair Edward Burroughs said while he was not happy about it initially, “the reality is, it’s a real opportunity”.

He added that he viewed both sites “as an opportunity to attract the type of projects that will uplift Prince George’s County”, as per NBC Washington.