The former Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire, which closed last month due to declining visitor numbers, has become a site of concern as people trespass to film on its abandoned rides. Sam Kurtz, a local Tory MS, is advocating for a quick sale of the property to mitigate potential risks associated with it being left empty. Oakwood, which opened in 1987 and featured the famous Megafobia rollercoaster, will not reopen for the 2025 season due to unsustainable future investments, according to its owner, Aspro Parks.
Kurtz emphasizes the need for a developmental plan, arguing that the longer the site remains closed, the greater the risks of safety and vandalism. Dyfed-Powys police are aware of the trespassing incidents and are responding to reports of potential crimes. Economic experts are skeptical about the viability of the site reopening as a theme park, given the previous owner’s struggles. Instead, they suggest that future developments will depend heavily on local planning authorities, with a focus potentially shifting away from traditional amusement parks towards other recreational opportunities.
Adjacent to Oakwood is the Bluestone National Park Resort, which has chosen not to comment on any interest in purchasing the site. Kurtz has received inquiries from multiple businesses interested in the property and hopes they will soon reach out. The Welsh government is actively engaged with the site owner regarding its future and acknowledges the importance of Oakwood for local tourism. Aspro Parks has not yet responded to media inquiries regarding the situation.
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