This Upstate New York Water Park Has Sat Empty Since 2024 But Could Soon Make A Comeback

I love a good comeback story, especially one involving water slides. So what exactly is waiting behind those closed gates? And what could the next chapter look like?

This Upstate New York spot once rang with a jingle promising the most fun in the sun. It spread across 113 acres with slides, go-karts, mini golf, and a zipline. People even called it the biggest small park around.

A giant bowl slide launches from a 42-foot tower and splashes into an 8-foot-deep pool. Right now, nobody is riding it. The whole park has sat quiet since its last season in 2024.

I can’t imagine a summer soundtrack fading out that easily. Two local business partners seem to agree. They’ve signed a letter of intent to purchase the property, hoping to restore the park and eventually welcome visitors again.

A Familiar Jingle Is Waiting For Its Encore

Thunder Island Amusement Park opened in 1979 in Fulton, New York. Harry and Tammie Perau ran it for nearly 40 years.

That’s a long time to keep families splashing. Their run gave Central New York a summer tradition that stuck around for generations.

The park also had a jingle that many people can still hum. It promised the most fun in the sun, where you’ll meet everyone, here on Thunder Island.

Catchy tunes like that don’t just vanish. They stick in your head long after the towels dry.

The nickname helped too. Folks called it the biggest small park around, which feels honest and a little proud at the same time.

I like that kind of humble swagger. It tells you the place never tried to be a giant theme park.

Instead, it focused on being close, friendly, and fun for a day trip. That simple formula kept it going for decades.

Now the gates are closed, and the slides sit dry. Still, a park with this much history deserves a second verse, and it may finally get one.

Nobody Planned On This Many Ownership Plot Twists

Few parks have a story this full of turns. After the Peraus, Ron and Lisa Falise bought Thunder Island in 2018.

Ron had big dreams for the property. He hoped to turn it into a stay-and-play spot with a campground and RV park.

Then came tough years. The park closed in 2020 during the pandemic, and again in August 2021 after a tragic accident on the property.

That was a painful chapter for the family and the community. It left the park’s future unclear for a while.

In 2022, Shane and Gale LaBeef bought it and reopened it later that summer. They added fresh touches and kept things running through 2024.

The LaBeefs then announced the park would skip the 2025 season. They shared high hopes for 2026, but the gates stayed shut.

By August 2025, the property was listed for sale. The asking price came in lower than what the LaBeefs paid three years earlier.

So the slides waited. And waited. Every good story needs a turning point, though, and this one finally has a fresh candidate.

Two Local Partners Want To Flip The Lights Back On

Here comes the good news. In September 2026, Kim Antenucci and Ryon Fogarty announced that they had signed a letter of intent to purchase Thunder Island Amusement Park.

Their plan is to restore it. That’s a big word, and a welcome one for anyone who grew up sliding here.

A signed letter of intent is an early step toward a purchase, but the partners still need to finalize a contract and complete the sale. Still, it’s the clearest sign of hope the park has seen in a while.

I believe local buyers bring something special to a project like this. They know what the park means to neighbors and nearby towns.

The listing had also noted potential for residential development. That could have meant houses where the lazy river once floated.

A restoration plan points in a happier direction. It keeps the land tied to summer fun instead of driveways.

No opening date has been announced, so patience is part of the deal. Big repairs take time and serious effort.

For now, it’s smart to keep an eye on local news for updates. When the splash returns, you’ll want to know first.

Brave Riders Will Want A Shot At The Thunder Rush

Forty-two feet is a long way up. That’s where the Thunder Rush Extreme Body Slide starts its wild ride.

Riders swirl around a giant bowl before dropping into a pool that’s 8 feet deep. Some folks nicknamed it the toilet bowl, which is funny and accurate.

It’s the kind of slide that builds courage. Plenty of kids have probably stood at the top and talked themselves into going.

The park had more thrills beyond the bowl. Two Body Twisters could be ridden with or without a mat.

The Black Water Tunnel Twisters added darkness to the mix. Spinning through a tunnel you can’t see out of keeps things interesting.

In total, the waterpark had 8 slides. That’s a solid lineup for a park with a cozy footprint.

If the comeback happens, these slides will need careful work before anyone climbs those stairs again. Safety comes first with any restoration.

Once they’re ready, though, my advice is simple. Save the bowl for last, because it’s tough to top.

Slow Floats And Shallow Splashes Count Too

Not every water park moment needs a scream. Sometimes the best part of the day is drifting along a lazy river with nowhere to be.

Thunder Island had one of those. It gave parents a break and gave kids a chance to rest between big slides.

The park also had 5 pools. That’s plenty of room for splashing, cooling off, and pretending you’re not tired yet.

Little ones had their own corner of fun. A kiddie river ride helped smaller swimmers feel included without facing giant drops.

I like parks that think about toddlers as much as teenagers. It makes the day easier for the whole crew.

A smaller park also means everyone stays fairly close together. Parents can relax a little more when the kids aren’t far away.

If the park reopens, pack sunscreen and water shoes. Concrete walkways in a New York July can heat up fast.

Bring towels for everybody, too. Somebody always forgets theirs, and it’s usually the person who swore they packed it.

Dry Land Had Plenty Of Speed And Swagger

Wet hair, meet racing helmet. Thunder Island Amusement Park offered go-karts for anyone who needed a break from the pools.

The lineup included Formula One karts, Grand Prix karts, and two-seater karts. That last option let younger kids ride along with a grown-up.

Racing a sibling around a track is a classic summer move. Bragging rights usually last the whole drive home.

For slower fun, there’s an 18-hole miniature golf course. It’s a good pick when the sun gets intense or someone needs a calm activity.

Mini golf also brings out surprising competition. Grandparents who say they’re just playing for fun rarely are.

Then there’s the arcade. A few games can rescue a cloudy afternoon in a hurry.

Laser tag joined the lineup in 2022. That added another reason for older kids to stick around after swimming.

I like how this mix kept the park from being water-only. A family with different interests could still find something for everyone, and nobody had to sit on the sidelines.

Hang On Tight For The Soaring Eagle

Some rides make you wet. The Soaring Eagle zipline makes you feel like you can fly.

It gave Thunder Island a different kind of thrill. Instead of sliding down, riders zipped through the air above the park.

That’s a clever addition for a family park. It adds height and excitement without needing a giant roller coaster.

I can’t imagine a better way to see the whole layout. From up there, the pools and slides must look like a tiny model.

The zipline also gave teens something that felt a little daring. Every family has that one kid who wants the biggest challenge available.

Of course, a ride like this needs proper inspection after sitting idle. Any comeback would likely include checking every cable and harness.

Still, it would be fun to hear that zipline buzzing again. It’s one of those sounds that instantly says summer.

If it returns, plan your ride early. You’ll want time to brag about it afterward, and maybe go a second time.

Snacks, Scoops, And A Room Built For Celebrations

Swimming makes people hungry fast. Thunder Island handled that with Sliders cafe, its spot for quick bites between rides.

An ice cream parlor arrived new for 2022. A cold scoop after a hot day of sliding feels like the perfect ending.

The park also had a banquet hall with a commercial kitchen. That opened the door for parties and bigger gatherings.

I like the idea of a water park doubling as an event space. Birthday parties hit differently when there’s a lazy river nearby.

The property’s Google listing now uses the name Thunder Island Event Center. That hints at how flexible this space could be.

Prospective buyers could use the hall in new ways if the purchase goes through. Reunions, team outings, and school celebrations all come to mind.

Nothing has been announced yet about future menus or events. So it’s best not to plan any party until there’s official word.

Still, the bones are there. A cafe, ice cream, and a full kitchen give a restored park plenty to work with.

Mark Your Map For This Spot Near Syracuse

Location is a big reason this park mattered. Thunder Island Amusement Park sits at 21 Wilcox Road, Fulton, NY 13069.

That puts it in Oswego County, not far from Syracuse. For many Central New York families, it meant fun without a long road trip.

Short drives matter when kids are involved. Fewer miles mean fewer rounds of are we there yet.

The property covers 113 acres. That’s a lot of room for a park known for its small and friendly feel.

All that space also explains why people have imagined bigger plans. A campground or RV park was once part of the dream.

Whether the new owners expand or simply restore, the land gives them options. That’s exciting for anyone watching this story unfold.

Upstate New York summers are short, so every sunny day counts. A nearby water park makes those days easier to enjoy.

For now, please don’t wander onto the closed property. Follow local news instead, and get ready to celebrate if those gates swing open again.