NEED TO KNOW
San Jose’s Calibunga water park, formerly Raging Waters, has closed after more than 40 years of operation
The city has teamed up with Lakeside Partners to develop a new water park with modern amenities at the same site
San Jose is working to bring family-friendly summer events and swimming opportunities at nearby locations to make up for the park’s closure
Northern California residents are going to have a harder time beating the heat this summer after a popular water park abruptly shut its gates for good.
On Thursday, June 11, the city of San Jose, Calif., announced Calibunga — more commonly known among locals by its former name, Raging Waters — has closed. The abrupt shutdown marked an end to over 40 years of memories for South Bay families.
However, residents aren’t out of luck as the city is working with a local company called Lakeside Partners to develop a new project that includes a “state-of-the-art water park, expanded aquatic amenities, and innovative interactive play areas” at the site of the Lake Cunningham Regional Park attraction, according to a city press release.
Calibunga, formerly Raging Waters, in San Jose, Calif.
Credit: Google
The park first opened in 1985 as Raging Waters. Palace Entertainment, which was acquired by Dollywood‘s parent company Herschend Family Entertainment in 2025. They operated the property from 1985 until September 2023 when the company walked away early from its lease with the city, according to local outlet KQED.
The city then signed a contract with California Dreamin’ Entertainment Inc., a Sacramento-based investment group, to operate the park through September 2025. It reopened under the name Calibunga in July 2024.
San Jose selected Lakeside Partners for the potential redevelopment through an “open competitive process” to revamp the property, Ed Bautista, a spokesperson for the city’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department told the outlet.
Calibunga, formerly Raging Waters, in San Jose, Calif.
Credit: Google
“I’m incredibly disappointed that the water park won’t be open this summer, and I share the frustration of every family that was counting on it to beat the heat,” Mayor Matt Mahan told KQED. “The time to have an operator in place was months ago — not during the hottest weeks of the year.”
Despite the closure, Bautista emphasized the city remains committed to entertaining families this summer.
“The biggest thing is that the park is still open,” he said. “There will still be activities happening at the park, additional swimming pool opportunities and nearby destinations.”
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According to San Jose’s press release, current discussions involve events like a live concert series, BMX movie nights and “Kids Maker Events.” The city also pointed to other swimming events hosted nearby at Overfelt, Mt. Pleasant and Silver Creek high schools.
Calibunga offered a variety of water-based attractions such as a lazy river, a wave pool and a mix of moderate and intense water slides, according to its website.
Read the original article on People