Six Flags New Orleans

Six Flags New Orleans
Previously known as Jazzland (2000–2002)
Six Flags New Orleans' entrance in June 2004
LocationNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Coordinates30°3′4.0″N 89°56′3.9″W / 30.051111°N 89.934417°W / 30.051111; -89.934417
StatusDefunct
OpenedMay 20, 2000 (as Jazzland)
April 12, 2003 (as Six Flags New Orleans)[1]
ClosedAugust 21, 2005[2]
OwnerCity of New Orleans
Slogan"It's playtime!"
Attractions
Total27
Roller coasters4
Water rides2

Six Flags New Orleans is an abandoned theme park located near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Interstate 510 in New Orleans.[3] It first opened as Jazzland in 2000, and a leasing agreement was established with Six Flags in 2002 following the previous operator's bankruptcy proceedings.[4] Six Flags invested $20 million in upgrades, and the park reopened as Six Flags New Orleans in 2003. Following substantial damage caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the park was closed to the public to make efforts to repair and reopen it. However, in 2006, Six Flags declared the property a total loss, and the park was permanently closed.[5] The lease was terminated in 2009 during Six Flags' bankruptcy proceedings.[6][7]

Six Flags salvaged several rides and relocated them to other parks. The Industrial Development Board (IDB) of New Orleans owns the property and oversees redevelopment plans. Following several failed proposals to redevelop the site, it remains abandoned and in poor condition. Videos and photos of the site have emerged over the years from thrill-seekers and YouTubers. As a result, city officials became more diligent in securing the park and banning tourists, tasking the New Orleans Police Department with patrolling the abandoned site and arresting trespassers. An option to demolish and clear the land was explored in 2019 following complaints from residents, which is estimated to cost the city $1.3 million.[8]

In 2023, plans were approved by the city for Bayou Phoenix to begin redeveloping the land.[9] In the meantime, the city continues to generate revenue from the property by occasionally leasing the park to various production companies as a filming location.[10]

  1. ^ Coggy (April 2003). "April 12, 2003". SFNO.com. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  2. ^ "Six Flags New Orleans". Modern Day Ruins. September 6, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  3. ^ "Six Flags New Orleans: Directions". Six Flags. 2004. Archived from the original on October 13, 2004. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  4. ^ White, Jaquetta (September 18, 2009). "City of New Orleans begins terminating its lease with Six Flags". New Orleans Times-Picayune. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Times-Picayune, Jaquetta White, The (September 18, 2009). "City of New Orleans begins terminating its lease with Six Flags". NOLA.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Jazzland/Six Flags Frequently Asked Questions". March 31, 2023. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024.
  8. ^ "Abandoned Six Flags New Orleans Theme Park to Finally be Torn Down". Theme Park Tourist. July 8, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  9. ^ Carlie Wells (September 29, 2023). "Redevelopment plans move forward for former Six Flags in New Orleans". Axios.
  10. ^ Scott, Mike (August 7, 2013). "Take 5: The Six Flags New Orleans edition". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved March 24, 2020 – via NOLA.com.