There’s something hauntingly beautiful about looking through pictures of abandoned places. What was once a popular family-friendly attraction that occupied many New Orleanians weekends has slowly become reclaimed by nature, and the photos are amazing. Let’s take a look.

Many remember when the park first opened, under the name Jazzland.

wikimedia It opened in 2000 and included rides like the Mega Zeph, a thrilling wooden roller coaster that was inspired by the old Zephyr roller coaster at the now-closed Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park.

Six Flags purchased the park in 2002, did some upgrades, and renamed it “Six Flags New Orleans” in 2003.

Darrell Miller/Flickr You probably remember the commercials with the dancing old man.

The last day the park was open to the public was August 21, 2005.

Robert Warnet/Flickr The park was scheduled to reopen on August 27, but Hurricane Katrina had other plans.

Due to the park’s location in Eastern New Orleans, the park was badly flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

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Due to the extensive water and wind damage, the park was closed indefinitely with no immediate plans to reopen.

Darrell Miller/Flickr Damage reports indicated that 80 percent of the park’s buildings were demolished and nearly every ride had sustained too much damage from salt-water and were beyond repair.

In 2006, Six Flags announced that the park was a total loss and had no desire to rebuild.

Darrell Miller/Flickr They attempted to get out of their 75-year lease with the city, but then-mayor Ray Nagin held them accountable, but in 2009, the city of New Orleans fined Six Flags 3 million and ordered the park to vacate its lease. That same year, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Since then, many ideas have been tossed around as to what should become of the park.

Darrell Miller/Flickr At one point there were plans to build a Nickelodeon-branded theme park, an outlet mall, even a power plant, but all of these ideas have fallen through the cracks.

The site has been used as a filming location for several blockbuster films.

Michael Winters/Flickr “Jurassic World”, “Deepwater Horizon”, and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” to name a few. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

Most recently, a group came together with plans to buy the park and reopen it as another theme park.

Michael Winters/Flickr “Dreamlanding Festival Park” would spend more than 100 million dollars to re-open the park, and has plans to open in 2019, with coasters ready for 2020. We could see construction on the park begin as early as this summer if approved by the city.

Six Flags New Orleans is closed off to the public.

Wikimedia The area is controlled by surveillance cameras, and it is in your best interest not to trespass on the property.

Do you remember going to the park? Share your memories in the comments below!

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It opened in 2000 and included rides like the Mega Zeph, a thrilling wooden roller coaster that was inspired by the old Zephyr roller coaster at the now-closed Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park.

Darrell Miller/Flickr

You probably remember the commercials with the dancing old man.

Robert Warnet/Flickr

The park was scheduled to reopen on August 27, but Hurricane Katrina had other plans.

Wikimedia

Damage reports indicated that 80 percent of the park’s buildings were demolished and nearly every ride had sustained too much damage from salt-water and were beyond repair.

They attempted to get out of their 75-year lease with the city, but then-mayor Ray Nagin held them accountable, but in 2009, the city of New Orleans fined Six Flags 3 million and ordered the park to vacate its lease. That same year, they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

At one point there were plans to build a Nickelodeon-branded theme park, an outlet mall, even a power plant, but all of these ideas have fallen through the cracks.

Michael Winters/Flickr

“Jurassic World”, “Deepwater Horizon”, and “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” to name a few. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

“Dreamlanding Festival Park” would spend more than 100 million dollars to re-open the park, and has plans to open in 2019, with coasters ready for 2020. We could see construction on the park begin as early as this summer if approved by the city.

The area is controlled by surveillance cameras, and it is in your best interest not to trespass on the property.

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