Elitch Gardens announced Friday that it will not open this year. It's the first time in the theme park's 130-year history that it will remain closed for the summer season, Elitch's said in a statement.
"Park management has spent months consulting with industry experts and government officials to develop a comprehensive plan, including new sanitation and social distancing protocols, that would allow the Park to operate safely," the statement said. "Management has also spent a considerable amount of resources training employees, inspecting rides, filling pools, and sprucing up the property, all in anticipation of opening day.
"Unfortunately, despite management's substantial efforts, the Park has been unable to obtain government approval to open."
Elitch's said it sees more than one million visitors per season and employs 1,400 people during the summer.
Any tickets purchased for 2020 will transfer to 2021.
