Action Park was an amusement park, open from 1978 to 1996 in Vernon Township, New Jersey at the former Vernon Valley / Great Gorge ski area, now known as Mountain Creek.
It featured three separate attraction areas: an alpine slide, Motorworld, and Waterworld. The lattermost was one of the first American waterparks. Many of Action Park's attractions were unique, attracting thrill-seekers from across the New York City metro area. The park's popularity went hand in hand with a reputation for poorly designed, unsafe rides; under aged, under trained, and often under the influence staff. ; intoxicated, unprepared visitors; and the consequently poor safety record.
At least six people are known to have died as a result of mishaps on rides at the park. It was given nicknames such as "Traction Park" and "Accident Park", by doctors at nearby hospitals due to the number of severely injured parkgoers they treated. Little action was taken by state regulators despite a history of repeat violations. In its later years personal-injury lawsuits forced the closure of more and more rides and finally the park itself in 1996.
Intrawest purchased the property and in 1998, many of the water attractions were reopened as Mountain Creek Waterpark. With a vastly increased emphasis on ride safety, the alpine slide and Motorworld areas were eliminated and some new water attractions were added. In 2010, the whole Mountain Creek ski area and waterpark was sold to a group led by Eugene Mulvihill, the former operator of Great Gorge and Action Park.
Read more about Action Park: History, Motorworld, Waterworld, Factors Contributing To The Park's Safety Record, Fatalities, Legacy, Mountain Creek Waterpark
Famous quotes containing the words action and/or park:
“Let those who go home tell the same story of you:
Of action with a common purpose, action
None the less fruitful if neither you nor we
Know, until the moment after death
What is the fruit of action.”
—T.S. (Thomas Stearns)
“Linnæus, setting out for Lapland, surveys his “comb” and “spare shirt,” “leathern breeches” and “gauze cap to keep off gnats,” with as much complacency as Bonaparte a park of artillery for the Russian campaign. The quiet bravery of the man is admirable.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)