The parent company of Six Flags plans to close Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Prince George's County, Maryland, after the 2025 season.
The property, which is about 500 acres, will be marketed for redevelopment as part of Six Flags' ongoing portfolio optimization program, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation said in a news release.
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WATCH HERE"Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company's long-term growth plan," President and CEO Richard A. Zimmerman said in the release.
The announcement comes just days after the Washington Commanders announced plans to leave the county to play in a new stadium to be built in D.C.
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SIGN UP “Great disappointment,” Prince George’s County Council member Wala Blegay said. “You know, this is coming at the end of hearing about the Commanders.”
She represents the area where the amusement parks are located and says the park has been a valuable source of hundreds of seasonal jobs for decades. She’s already heard from dozens of residents who are worried about the economic impact.
The company says Six Flags America has about say about 70 full-time employees. Many teenagers work there over the summer.
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“Many people are very frustrated and sad and confused as to what’s going on and amidst we are also dealing with the attack on our federal workers, so people are losing their jobs,” Blegay said. “So, it’s a lot of news that people don’t want.
“We do want to calm people down,” she said. “People are so concerned that this is going to turn into a big housing complex — it is not zoned for housing. “So, we are going to look at economic development as the key here.”
Prince George’s Council Chair Edward Burroughs says it’s still early, but now the real work begins.
“Initially, I was not happy about it," he said. "But the reality is, it’s a real opportunity.”
Now they need to find the best developers for both sites, Burroughs said.
“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.”
The parks' final operating day will be Sunday, Nov. 2.
“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 said in the company's release.
Eligible employees will receive benefits including severance, the release said.
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