Most People Have Long Forgotten About This Abandoned Water Park In Georgia
When you think of abandoned places in Georgia, your mind probably doesn’t immediately go to water parks. Like most states, we have abandoned psychiatric hospitals that were left empty as mental health care standards have changed over the last century. We certainly have stores and restaurants that have closed their doors and the buildings have grown dilapidated over the years. But water parks? Water parks in Georgia are thought of as vibrant, fun spots filled with fun and summertime joy, not creepy empty places that haven’t seen visitors in decades. Crystal Lake was once a thriving water park near Valdosta that has now been closed for over 20 years.
Crystal Lake was located in Irwin County and was an incredibly popular vacation spot for many decades in South Georgia.
However, during Crystal Lake's many years of existence, it certainly didn't seem cursed. The park was one of the most popular summer destinations in the region, entertaining countless families with its slides, pools, and opportunities for fun.
In the late 1990s, the park was sued by the families of several children who tragically drowned there. The cost of insuring and maintaining the park became far too high to be worthwhile, especially with the increased competition for tourism dollars in the Valdosta area, and it eventually shut down.
The park now lies abandoned, the slides, lifeguard chairs, and other memorabilia still lying rotting on the beach. This is such a sad sight if you were lucky enough to enjoy summers here as a child!
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue, particularly fixing stray cats. She also likes reading, playing Pokemon Go, and going to concerts. Her dog Cece is the best dog in the whole world. You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
