In a statement, General Manager Carl Crider Jr. noted the safety of the employees and park guests was the “number one priority.”

“The uncertainly of when large attractions such as DelGrosso’s Park would actually be permitted to open also played a significant role,” Crider wrote. “This delay would only be compounded by social distancing protocols, capacity restrictions and supply chain interruptions. All these obstacles would make creating a fun, safe and memorable guest experience — like we have done for decades — very difficult.”

With the average length of a season being between 110 and 115 days, the uncertainty of when they could open — along with the other hurdles — necessitated looking ahead to 2021.

“It just became too cumbersome to try to do it,” Crider told the Mirror on Friday.

Mirror file photo / Delgrosso’s Park patrons float down Laguna Splash’s lazy river during the 2016 season.

What the next months will entail as far as COVID-19 remains to be seen, but Crider said they are always optimistic when it comes to the future of the park.

“We didn’t work hard all these years to just give up on it,” he said.

Crider said he’s been in contact with other parks and attractions across the state — other members of the Pennsylvania Association of Parks & Attractions — about the decision and said hopes for the best for everyone in the tight-knit industry as they try to navigate through this unprecedented time.

Customers who already bought 2020 season passes and buy-one, get-one food vouchers can use those for the 2021 season, with an additional $25 food credit added on to each season pass as an incentive, according to park officials.

More details will be shared on the park’s website, www.delgrossos.com, and emailed to pass holders.

“We don’t want anyone to go away unsatisfied,” Crider said, noting the incentive to hold onto the passes for 2021 was a way to thank the park’s customers, and those who would rather get a refund are more than welcome to do that as well.

Delgrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash employ between 625 and 700 people each season, and Crider said they are disappointed for those employees who won’t have to opportunity to work at the park this season.

The news brought mixed emotions to people in the area who have come to count on DelGrosso’s Park and Laguna Splash as a staple of summer.

“It’s truly disappointing,” said season pass holder Julie Walk of Tyrone. Walk said she hopes the park can find a way to still have Spaghetti Wednesdays and September’s Harvestfest.

“They are in a difficult situation and I respect their decision, but this is heartbreaking, nonetheless,”she said, adding the $25 added credit for the 2021 season is generous and she’s looking forward to next season.

The park is also honoring 2020 All Day Fun Passes in 2021 and customers who purchased refillable cups can exchange their 2020 cups for 2021 season cups when those sales start in November.

Lori Rodland of Tyrone said she wondered how the park was going to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic if it did open.

“They are looking out for their guests and employees,” Rodland said Friday. She said she has two season passes as well as the refillable cups, and if the park did open, she would have tried to get her money back because she didn’t want to put the safety of her grandson or herself at risk.

“Thank you, DelGrosso’s, for looking out for the safety of your guests and workers,” Rodland said. “I will say, I’m going to miss your hoagies and potato salad, though.”

Bellwood mother Brooke Sprankle said her father, Dan Sprankle, always buys season passes for her family every Christmas and she spends three to four days a week at the park.

“It’s our home away from home. I’m heartbroken they won’t open, but at the same time, I understand,” Sprankle said, adding she has no problem with the way the park is handling the season passes.

“It’s a precaution to protect everyone,” she said.

Alexandria resident Rob Carolus said he completely understands the decision.

“From a liability standpoint alone, even if restrictions are lifted, it would be a logistical nightmare,” Carolus said, adding that with “people coming from everywhere and anywhere,” if someone would later get sick they might try to blame the park. “A family-owned business of this size couldn’t withstand the potential for litigation.”

Park staff will contact customers who rented cabanas or pavilions along with customers who have scheduled picnics at the park. Park officials also pointed out there is no expiration for park gift cards.

Crider said the park had already been contacted by numerous companies that hold their picnics at the park and they wanted to cancel, so the economic pain and concern for employee safety is something all businesses are dealing with right now.

“Safety has always been the top priority for us,” Crider said of the daily operation of an amusement park. “This is just another facet of that.”

Since Blair County is in the “yellow phase” of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan, park officials pointed out there are a limited number of employees on-site, so questions should be directed through email to

parkinfo@delgrossos.com. The park’s website and social media pages also will contain updates, so park officials asked people to “stay tuned,” and they pointed out that meal programs such as DG2GO will be extended through the summer season with details to be announced once they are finalized.