View source for Clementon Park and Splash World

{{Short description|Amusement park/water park in New Jersey}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Clementon Park & Splash World
| logo = Celementon_Park_Official_Logo.png
|image=Entrance to Clementon Park, NJ, Feb. 2025.jpg
| caption = Entrance to the park in 2025
| location = 144 Berlin Road, P.O. Box 125
| location2 = [[Clementon, New Jersey|Clementon]]
| location3 = [[New Jersey]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|39.8031|-74.9847|region:US_type:landmark|display=it}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.clementonpark.com}}
| owner = IB Parks & Entertainment
| general_manager = Margorie Ford
| opening_date = {{Start date and age|1907}}
| closing_date = 
| season = [[Memorial Day]] through [[Labor Day]]
| area = {{convert|17|acre}}
| rides = 25
| coasters = 2
| water_rides = 8
| address = 
| phone_numbers = 
| slogan = 
| status = Operating
| operator = Anthony Aldridge
}}
'''Clementon Park and Splash World''' is a mid-sized combination [[theme park]] and [[water park]] in [[Clementon, New Jersey|Clementon]], [[Camden County, New Jersey]], [[United States]]. Also known as '''Clementon Lake Park''', it is one of the world's oldest operating amusement parks and is one of only thirteen [[trolley park]]s that are still in the United States. It was owned and operated by Clementon Lake Holdings LLC a subsidiary of [[Premier Parks, LLC]]. The park had been closed since September 2019 and was put up for auction on March 23, 2021. At the auction, the park in its entirety was purchased by Indiana Beach Holdings, LLC (now known as IB Parks & Entertainment), a company operated by real estate developer Gene Staples, for $2,370,000, with plans to reopen later in 2021<ref>{{cite news|title=Indiana park operator buys Clementon Park for $2.3 million|first=Frank|last=Fitzpatrick|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/clementon-park-amusement-buy-auction-splash-20210325.html|date=March 25, 2021|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|access-date=March 28, 2021}}</ref>
The park successfully reopened on June 25, 2021.

==History==

===1907–1919===
The park was founded in 1907 by New Jersey Assemblyman Theodore B. Gibbs<ref name=Images>"Images of America, Clementon". Arcadia Publishing. 2007</ref> (October 17, 1838 – October 27, 1909) and his sons, Edgar B. and Willard. Theodore Gibbs was a [[American Civil War|Civil War]] veteran who was a corporal in Company D, Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteers. He held many local offices including postmaster and sheriff; he was also a member of the [[Atlantic City Railroad]]'s Board of Directors.<ref>"Obituary: Assemblyman Theodore B. Gibbs". New York Times. October 28, 1909.</ref>

The amusement park was a popular destination in the early decades of the twentieth century with a trolley running from [[Camden, New Jersey]], to the park entrance. In the early twentieth century, amusement parks were built at the end of trolley lines to encourage weekend ridership.<ref>Clementon: The Residue of Design. Courier Post. October 2006.</ref>

===1920–1939===
In the 1920s, the park included a [[nickelodeon movie theater]], a "dancing casino", a steam-driven carousel, the [[Jack Rabbit (Clementon Park)|Jack Rabbit]] roller coaster, and a "razzle-dazzle" ride. The Jack Rabbit roller coaster was considered state-of-the-art when added to the park in 1919 for the cost of $80,000, equal to ${{Inflation|US|80000|1919|fmt=c}} today.<ref name="Images" />

On June 22, 1931, a fire almost destroyed the amusement park. According to [[The New York Times]], "a vivid pyrotechnic display and the successive reports of exploding cartridges added to the spectacular aspect of a fire which swept through part of Clementon Park, a South Jersey pleasure resort." The fire had reached the cartridge supply of the shooting gallery, setting off explosions. Firemen from six adjoining towns fought the fire which was contained to the shooting gallery and a "pretzel ride." The damages were estimated to be $2,000, equal to ${{Inflation|US|2000|1931|fmt=c}} today.

Socialist presidential candidate [[Norman Thomas]] campaigned at Clementon Park in 1932. In a July 4 speech in front of 3,500 people, Thomas said, "It is not against foreign domination we must fight, but against a system that denies us bread, security and any assurance of peace. The men of 1776, in convention assembled at Philadelphia, found no successors in the old party conventions at Chicago in 1932."

In 1936, Philadelphia boxer Al Ettore trained at Clementon Park for the heavyweight title fight against [[Joe Louis]] to occur in Philadelphia on September 22, 1936. Thousands of fight fans visited the park to see Ettore train. On September 20, 1936, a {{convert|100|ft|m|adj=on}} section of grandstand collapsed under the weight of about 500 spectators. No one was seriously injured.<ref name="Images" />

===1940–1969===
Throughout the 1930s to 1950s, Clementon Park's ballroom hosted dance marathons that were hosted by various celebrities such as Red Skelton and Dick Clark.<ref name="Images" /> Clementon Park survived [[Great Depression|the Depression]] by holding these marathons, offering a $100 prize (equal to ${{Inflation|US|100|1935|fmt=c}} today) to partners who lasted the longest.

===1970–1999===
In 1977, the Gibbs family sold Clementon Lake Park to Abram Baker (1904–1994). Baker owned a nightclub in [[Miami, Florida]], and the [[Fascination (game)|Fascination Parlour]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]. From 1955 to 1968, he owned [[Glen Echo Park, Maryland]].<ref>"Obituary: Abram Baker Amusement Park Owner".  page 4B, Miami Herald. July 3, 1994.</ref>

In 1979, operation of the park was turned over to Larry Baker, Abe's son.

===2000–2019===
In 2007, the park was purchased by [[Adrenaline Family Entertainment]] for an undisclosed amount. Over the next three years, Adrenaline Family Entertainment made major renovations and added attractions to bring renewed life to the park. Laguna Kahuna, a large interactive water playland, was added in 2008, followed by Ring of Fire and Thunder Drop in 2010, and Torpedo Rush in 2011.

On November 21, 2011, the park was purchased by Gary Story and Kieran Burke of [[Premier Parks, LLC]] through a new subsidiary, Clementon Lake Holdings LLC.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Story and Burke buy Clementon Lake|journal=Park World Magazine|date=December 23, 2011|url=http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2134/Story_and_Burke_buy_Clementon_Lake.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012035/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2134/Story_and_Burke_buy_Clementon_Lake.html|archive-date=December 3, 2013|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stateinfoservices.com/property/0411/123/11.01/|title=State Information Services property data|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref> Big Wave Bay, a 23,000 square foot wave pool, was added for the 2012 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/indulge/2012/06/clementon_park_and_splash_worl.html|title=Clementon Park and Splash World opens for the 105th season with Big Wave Bay wave pool|last=Roncace|first=Kelly|date=June 8, 2012|website=www.nj.com|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref>

For the 2019 season, the park added four new rides; a [[Pirate ship (ride)|swinging ship]], [[Tilt-A-Whirl]], [[Scrambler (ride)|Scrambler]], and a kiddy coaster, Dragon Coaster.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2019/03/07/clementon-park-nj-theme-park-new-rides-coaster-2019-season/3090251002/|title=Clementon Park adds four retro-themed rides for 2019 season|last=Berkery|first=Sheri|date=March 7, 2019|work=[[Courier-Post]]|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> The latter ride had been relocated from [[Bowcraft Amusement Park]] in [[Scotch Plains, New Jersey]], which had closed permanently the season beforehand.<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Dragon Coaster|location=Clementon Park|rcdb_number=17153|accessdate=March 24, 2021}}</ref>

=== 2020–present ===
On September 8, 2019, the park abruptly closed without warning, despite tickets being sold for future events, and other planned events later in the season had been canceled.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fox29.com/news/clementon-park-closed-despite-selling-tickets-for-appreciation-day-family-says|title=Clementon park closed despite selling tickets for 'Appreciation Day,' family says|last=Evans|first=Joyce|date=September 25, 2019|website=[[WTXF-TV]]|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://42freeway.com/clementon-park-closed-for-good-clementon-fall-festival-cancelled-and-more/|title=Clementon Park Closed for Good? Clementon Fall Festival Cancelled and More|author=Mark|date=September 22, 2019|website=42freeway.com|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref>

Following the closure, [[TD Bank, N.A.|TD Bank]] filed a lawsuit against the park owners for failing to make payments on a $4.5 million loan. On January 25, 2021, a court order granted Howard Samuels and Rally Capital Advisors, [[receivership]] of the park.<ref name="Cision-sale">{{cite news|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/clementon-new-jersey-amusement-park-for-sale-at-auction-301231682.html|title=Clementon, New Jersey Amusement Park For Sale at Auction|publisher=Cision PR Newswire|date=February 19, 2021|location=New York CIty, New York|accessdate=February 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2021/02/17/clementon-park-auction-mortgage-default-td-bank.html|title=South Jersey's Clementon Park goes to auction after lawsuit alleges default on $4.5M loan|last=Caffrey|first=Michelle|publisher=American City Business Journals|location=Charlotte, North Carolina|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 26, 2021}}</ref>

On February 19, 2021, Capital Recovery Group LLC, acting on behalf of its client, Howard Samuels, issued a press release announcing the sale of the park at a public auction to be held on March 23, 2021.<ref name="Cision-sale"/> During this time, it was also reported that a local investors group, Fresh Development LLC, was in the process of raising the $7 million needed to buy and rejuvenate the park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/clementon-park-splash-rides-roller-coasters-auction-norfolk-state-20210312.html|title=South Jersey investor group plans to bid at auction with the hope of restoring Clementon Park|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Frank|date=March 12, 2021|publisher=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|access-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref>

On March 23, 2021, the park auction commenced, and the park in its entirety was sold to an undisclosed buyer for $2,370,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bronx.news12.com/mystery-bidder-saves-iconic-new-jersey-amusement-park-with-bid-of-2-3-million|title=Mystery bidder saves iconic New Jersey amusement park with bid of $2.3 million|author=News12 Staff|date=March 23, 2021|work=[[News 12 Networks|bronx.news12.com]]|access-date=March 24, 2021}}</ref> The buyer was quickly revealed to be real estate developer Gene Staples, who had bought and reopened the closed [[Indiana Beach]] amusement park in [[Monticello, Indiana]], the year before.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/business/clementon-park-amusement-buy-auction-splash-20210325.html?fbclid=IwAR2bqMTijIB7zrcravVCbXRWMj_BvB_OtoRkz2XQwZ74JcSm6QeeJaG60Yc|title=Indiana park operator buys Clementon Park for $2.3 million|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Frank|date=March 25, 2021|publisher=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|access-date=March 25, 2021}}</ref>

Following a two-year hiatus, Clementon Park and Splash World reopened on June 25, 2021. All eight of the waterpark attractions were open, but only a limited number of the thrill and family rides were in operation. Discounted admission tickets were offered through end of June.<ref>{{cite news|title=Clementon Park & Splash World finally cleared to reopen after nearly two-year hiatus|last=Ralph|first=Pat|date=June 24, 2021|work=PhillyVoice.com|url=https://www.phillyvoice.com/clementon-park-splash-world-south-jersey-reopening/|location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|access-date=June 29, 2021}}</ref>

==Attractions==

===Roller coasters===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width: 10%;" | Name
! style="width: 6%;" | Opened
! style="width: 10%;" | Manufacturer
! style="width: 44%;" | Description
|-
| [[Hell Cat]]
| {{center|2004}}
| [[S&S – Sansei Technologies|S&S Power]]
| A [[wooden roller coaster]] with an out-and-back layout. 
|-
| Dragon Coaster
| {{center|2019}}
| Wisdom Rides
| A children's roller coaster with a train designed like a [[dragon]].
|-
|}

===Thrill rides===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width: 10%;" | Name
! style="width: 10%;" | Manufacturer
! style="width: 20%;" | Description
|-
|Sea Dragon
| [[Zamperla]]
| A [[Pirate ship (ride)|pirate ship]] ride
|-
| Ring of Fire
| Larson International
| A [[Fire Ball]] ride
|-
|}

===Family rides===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width: 10%;" | Name
! style="width: 6%;" | Manufacturer
! style="width: 10%;" | Description
|-
| Grand Carousel
| [[Charles I. D. Looff|Looff]]/[[Dentzel Carousel Company|Dentzel]]/Stein & Goldstein
| Antique [[carousel]] with a [[Wurlitzer]] style 153 [[band organ]]
|-
| C.P. Huntington Railway
| [[Chance Rides]]
| Narrow-gauge train ride that goes around the park. The design is inspired by the [[C. P. Huntington]] steam locomotive.
|-
| Flying Pharoah
| [[Chance Rides]]
| Yo-Yo
|-
| Giant Gondola Wheel
| [[Chance Rides]]
| Ferris wheel
|-
| King Neptune's Revenge
| [[Intamin]]
| Log Flume
|-
| Scrambler
| Eli Bridge Company
| Scrambler
|-
| Samba Tower
| [[Zamperla]]
| Balloon tower
|- 
| Tilt-A-Whirl
| Larson International
| Classic-style tilt-a-whirl 
|-
|}

===Children's rides===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Ride type
|-
| Safari Train
| Children's train ride
|-
| Formula 3000
| Convoy ride
|-
| Umbrella & Space Age
| Children's ride. 
|-
| Mini Pirate Ship
| Children's pirate ship ride. 
|-
| Flying Elephants
| Children's elephant ride.
|-
|}

===Water rides===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width: 10%;" | Name
! style="width: 50%;" | Description
|-
| Viper
| A dueling raft slide.
|-
| Vertical Limit
| A multi-lane mat racer slide.
|-
| Torpedo Rush
| A trap-door slide that stands 60’ tall and offers two identically designed slides.
|-
| Big Wave Bay
| A wave pool
|-
| Laguna Kahuna
| A Polynesian-themed water playground that includes 8 slides, 10 different play platforms and more than 125 sprays, jets, bubbles, streams, squirts, wheels and waterfalls. And high atop the 50-foot tall structure sits a big Kahuna statue with a giant water bucket that dumps more than 422 gallons of water.
|-
| Lazy River
| A lazy river ride
|-
| Sky River Rapids
| A waterslide where riders navigate three sets of slides and three splash pools.
|-
| Shipwreck Bay
| A water playground modeled after a pirate ship. Features 6 waterslides and multiple fountains.
|}

=== Former attractions ===

==== Roller coasters ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width: 10%;" | Name
! style="width: 6%;" | Opened
! style="width: 10%;" | Closed
! style="width: 10%;" | Manufacturer
! style="width: 44%;" | Notes
|-
| Jack Rabbit
| {{center|1919}}
| {{center|2002}}
| [[Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters]], Inc.
| Demolished in 2007
|-
|}

====Thrill Rides====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width: 10%;" | Name
! style="width: 6%;" | Opened
! style="width: 10%;" | Closed
! style="width: 10%;" | Manufacturer
! style="width: 44%;" | Notes
|-
|  Thunder Drop
| {{center|2010}}
| {{center|2022}}
| ARM Rides
| Sold to Reithoffer Shows under the name Super Shot.
|-
|}

==References==
<references>
*{{cite news
  | title = Images Of America, Clementon
  | publisher = Arcadia Publishing
  | year = 2007}}
*{{cite news
  | title = Blaze Threatens Clementon Park
  | work = New York Times
  | date = 1931-06-23}}
*{{cite news
  | title = Thomas Sees Crisis Worse Than 1776
  | work = New York Times
  | date = 1932-07-05}}
*{{cite news
  | title = Stand Collapses at Ettore's Camp
  | work = New York Times
  | date = 1936-09-21}}
*{{cite news
  | title = Obituary: Assemblyman Theodore B. Gibbs
  | work = New York Times
  | date = 1909-10-28}}
*{{cite news
  | title = Obituary: Abram Baker Amusement Park Owner
  | pages = 4B
  | publisher = Miami Herald
  | date = 1994-07-03}}
*{{cite news
  | title = Clementon Lake Park is Almost a Century Old
  | pages = 3A
  | publisher = Courier-Post
  | date = 2000-01-12}}
*{{cite news
  | last = Burkhart
  | first = Michael T
  | title = High on Tsunami
  | pages = 1C
  | publisher = Courier Post
  | date = 2004-05-31}}
*{{cite news
  | last = Harbach
  | first = Louise
  | title = An Early Amusement Park Still Thrives in Clementon
  | pages = B02
  | publisher = The Philadelphia Inquirer
  | date = 1999-08-11}}
*{{cite news
  | last = McCaffrey
  | first = Joseph
  | title = Wood coaster still has riders steeling themselves Clementon ride is the oldest continuously used in nation
  | pages = 29
  | publisher = The Star-Ledger
  | date = 1996-07-07}}
*{{cite news
  | last = Urgo
  | first = Jacqueline L.
|author2=Ciotta, Rose
  | title = More Accidents Noted at NJ Amusement Sites
  | pages = B01
  | publisher = The Philadelphia Inquirer
  | date = 1998-10-11}}
*{{Cite web
 |title=About Clementon 
 |url=http://www.clementonborough.com/about.html 
 |access-date=2007-03-18 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070212104724/http://www.clementonborough.com/about.html 
 |archive-date=February 12, 2007 
 |url-status=dead 
}}
*{{Cite web
  | title = WORLD'S OLDEST OPERATING AMUSEMENT PARKS
  | url = http://napha.org/nnn/Library/FactsFigures/WorldsOldestOperatingAmusementParks/tabid/70/Default.aspx
  | access-date = 2007-03-18
  }}
*{{cite news
  | title = Clementon Park sold to investors
  | publisher = CourierPostOnline
  | date = 2011-11-22
  | url = http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20111122/NEWS01/311220023/Clementon-Park-sold-investors?odyssey=nav%7Chead }}
</references>

== External links ==
{{Portal|New Jersey}}
*[https://www.clementonpark.com/ Official website]
*[https://ibparks.com/ IB Parks & Entertainment]
*{{RCDB|4580}}
*[https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=clementon+lake+park,+clementon,+nj&layer=&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=39.804324,-74.984468&spn=0.006033,0.010042&t=k&om=1&iwloc=A Clementon Amusement Park aerial photo]
* [http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/themeparks/locator/park/clementon_nj.shtml Clementon's entry] on ultimaterollercoaster.com

{{IB Parks & Entertainment |state=expanded}}
{{PremierParks}}

[[Category:1907 establishments in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in New Jersey]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Camden County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Clementon, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Camden County, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Premier Parks, LLC]]
[[Category:IB Parks & Entertainment]]