ACTION mother-fuckin PARK.
I'm providing an abridged version of literature of the facility... because frankly, I can't write it any better. Although I add personal commentary. Anywaay...
Action Park was a waterpark/motor themed park open from 1978 to 1996 in New Jersey. It featured three separate attraction areas: an alpine slide, Motorworld, and Waterworld.
Its popularity went hand in hand with a reputation for poorly-designed, unsafe rides; inattentive, underaged, underpaid and sometimes under-the-influence employees; equally intoxicated and underprepared visitors — and the poor safety record that followed from this perfect storm of circumstances. At least six people are known to have died as a result of mishaps on rides at the park.
The alpine ride was an operator controlled mini-sled ~ armed only with a hand-brake ~ that sped up to 60 mph down a slick that may or may not handle your bundle as you cruise.
Here's a glimpse:
This fuckin joint was nicknamed Traction Park, Accident Park, Class-Action Park, Danger Park and Death 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 until the park itself was closed.
A close, personal friend lamented on the hilarity and fun that abounded. To that I say ~ hijinx. His visits were near-death experiences that have led to his mal-funtioned state of life. He relished in the PVC-type tubing that shot him out into sub-zero degree waters whilth recollecting a boy that was dragged out of the pool the color of my 501's. Dude.
"Untamed, almost out-of-control experiences abound at Action Park. Bombs Away's short slide abruptly ends and sends brave souls freefalling about 15 feet into a gulch. The adjacent Canyon Cliffs skips the slide; daredevils simply jump off the edge for a 20-foot dive into the water."
Possibly to their death. Electrocutions, drownings, heart attacks, negligence. Yes. The good times did roll. Such a tragic piece of Americana, only to be lost. And only in New Jersey.
08 July 2009
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