The real impact of Six Flags America closing.
When the news broke that Six Flags America in Bowie was closing, many weren’t just surprised, they were heartbroken. After operating for decades the news hit like a truck. For me, it was more than just an amusement park shutting down it was years of my best memories and courageous feats destroyed, unable to be recreated. For others it was a job, and a fun place to bond with their friends and families.
The decision to close was not that of those who attended loyally but rather, those who made money off of that loyalty. It was made by important executives who did see the park as a community staple or an affordable source of entertainment, but instead saw a financial report and numbers. It’s devastating that after years of trust and love for Six Flags the response is nothing but goodbye and good riddance because executives could make more money elsewhere.
It’s not just Six Flags; across the country, corporate-owned attractions and destinations collapse and cower the moment they aren’t meeting the every need of shareholders. Amusement parks shouldn’t just be businesses. These are cultural anchors with real meaning to the communities they reside in. They provide jobs for local residents, a safe space for those who need it, and a traditional good time for everyone else.
The closing of Six Flags America is another reminder of the powerlessness of people living in communities to prevent corporations from up and leaving. The news is especially painful for Prince George’s county residents. For years, the area battled to gain entertainment and business options in a place nobody seemed to want to operate. Six Flags was one of the few remaining landmarks to draw business into the county from surrounding areas. Without Six Flags, the county is slated to face significant financial challenges which also impacts the schools and other government funded ventures.
Some people may argue that the closure is just “business.” That corporations have no obligation beyond being profitable. However, this mindset destroys the relationship between businesses and communities. They love to be “family-friendly” and “community focused” until they leave and say the same thing in a new location.
Six Flags America deserved better. Bowie deserves better. DMV families deserved better. At a very minimum the company owed the community transparency, reinvestment, and context, before deciding to shut down the parks for good. Instead the closure, was seen as nothing but “business:”. just another transaction for those making millions of dollars.
When the final ride is run and the last overpriced food sold, Six Flags America will just be another casualty of corporate decision making. The park will be remembered with heavy hearts by those who loved it, and its closure will serve as a reminder how little a choice the community has.
The lesson is hard to acknowledge, but as long as big companies hold the keys to our communities, they will always hold the power to lock the gates, and when they do, the community must pay the price.
