**Thunder Island Amusement Park Remains Closed for 2026 Season, Up for Sale**
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Fulton, New York – Thunder Island Amusement Park, located approximately 25 miles from Syracuse in Fulton, New York, will not reopen for the 2026 season. This marks the second consecutive year that the popular amusement park has remained closed. The unfortunate announcement was made on the park’s Facebook page on June 27. The long-time attraction has been listed on the market for $1.5 million since July 2025, and no further information regarding its future has been disclosed.
First opened in 1979, Thunder Island Amusement Park has been a staple of family entertainment in the region, providing a variety of attractions including water slides, a go-kart track, mini-golf, and even a banquet hall. Following its closure for the 2025 season, management had hoped to provide updates about a potential reopening, but they never materialised.
Originally a family-operated venture, the park changed hands in 2018 when it was purchased by Ron and Lisa Falise. Tragically, Ron Falise passed away in a tractor accident while working on site in 2021. The park was subsequently closed, as Lisa found it too difficult to continue operations in the wake of the accident. Paul Mackey, the real estate agent handling the sale, revealed details of Lisa’s decision, explaining that she considered selling to a new, enthusiastic group as the best route for the park’s future.
In 2022, Shane and Gale LaBeef acquired Thunder Island after conducting a nationwide search for new owners. During their three-year tenure, the park offered visitors an array of attractions including eight water slides, five pools, and three go-kart configurations, alongside a zipline and mini-golf course. However, only a year after their last season, the LaBeefs announced that the park would not open for 2025, leading to its current sale status.
The park’s listing, held by JF Real Estate, details that Thunder Island spans 113 acres, encompassing the amusement park itself, which covers nearly 20 acres, and an additional 93 acres of land that includes waterfront property on Ox Creek. The listing implies the potential for residential development in the area, alongside the existing amusement park features, which could attract various buyers.
As the search for a new owner continues, Thunder Island Amusement Park remains a favourite subject of nostalgia for locals. Many residents recall fond memories spent at the park, making the ongoing closure particularly poignant. The amusement park had provided generations of families with a summer retreat, and its absence has left a noticeable gap in the local entertainment landscape.
Potential buyers might find the property compelling not only for its historical value but also for its possibilities for redevelopment. The park boasts various facilities including the large banquet hall, a commercial kitchen, bar area, as well as recreational attractions like the slides and racing tracks. The updated listing by JF Real Estate from June 22 remains a point of interest for anyone considering taking over the long-standing establishment.
As of now, both Thunder Island Amusement Park’s management and JF Real Estate have been approached for comment, pending any response regarding the future of the park. The community remains hopeful that an interested party may come forward to revitalise the beloved local attraction, preserving its legacy for future generations.
In the meantime, the fate of Thunder Island hangs in the balance, leaving many to wonder whether it will once again welcome visitors or transition into a new era of development.