Sheridan theme park OK’d by council; aims for summer 2026 opening

SHERIDAN, Ind. — A nature-based theme park plans to break ground next month after being given the go-ahead by the Sheridan Town Council.

In a 4-2 vote, the council granted final approval on Tuesday night to developer Monarch Ventures LLC to move forward with the construction of SkyLake.

This nature-based theme park will be built on a 126-acre site at the northwest corner of U.S. 31 and 216th Street.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Sheridan Town Council and Planning Commission, and thrilled to bring the SkyLake vision to life,” said Phil Sack, President of Circle Property Group, the parent company of Monarch Ventures

The centerpiece of SkyLake is a six-acre lake surrounded by white sand beaches. An inflatable jungle gym of obstacle courses, slides and a 40-foot tower would float over the surface of the lake and create an amusement park bobbing on the waves.

Additional thrills include a “Sky Slide,” a 60-foot high, 500-foot long all-season tubing hill along with the planned “Sky High Adventure Zone” — a three-story treetop rope course.

“This project is the first major development along the US 31 corridor since Sheridan gained control of planning and zoning of the area earlier this year,” said Silas DeVaney, Town of Sheridan council president. “I feel tonight’s approval of Skylake sets the tone for the 31 corridor and we will continue to be thoughtful about how our community changes over time.”

Monarch Ventures said SkyLake is projected to be an economic boon for the region with hundreds of construction jobs being created over the next year. The developer expects the park to employ 250-300 seasonal and operational team members and attract around half a million visitors annually.

With construction set to begin in June, phase one of SkyLake is slated to open on May 25, 2026. According to the website, phase one includes the six-acre lake, water slides and a wooded preserve “home to the tree-top challenge courses and self-guided encounters with nature.”

The developer said additional attractions and features are planned “for years to come.”