In the verdant, tree-lined hills of Vernon, New Jersey, lay a theme park so infamous that its wild tales of danger and reckless abandon have given it legendary status. Its name was Action Park, an amusement playground that seemed to flirt with chaos and, sadly, on more than a few occasions, death. Opened in 1978, its history is a potent blend of fun, thrill, and a chilling disregard for safety.
The brainchild of entrepreneur Eugene Mulvihill, Action Park was revolutionary. Modest by modern standards, it initially featured a couple of water slides and a racetrack, a seemingly innocuous start for what was eventually dubbed “America’s most dangerous park.”
Mulvihill envisioned a place where guests didn't merely watch or ride, but physically participated in the attractions. It was a new concept in a field dominated by roller coasters and ferris wheels. As such, people flocked to Action Park, drawn by the lure of adventure and adrenaline.
But action came with a dangerous side, and it was clear from the start that Action Park stretched the limits of safety. From poorly designed rides to insufficient staff training, the park’s disregard for safety was staggering. Alpine Slide, a concrete and fiberglass marvel, shot riders down a hill on a sled, boasting a high injury rate. Then, there was the Tidal Wave Pool, the 'Grave Pool', responsible for three of the six confirmed deaths in the park's history.
The park had its fair share of wild inventions: a loop-the-loop water slide with minimal padding, a river ride where visitors were left unguided, and cars with dysfunctional brakes, among others. The mishaps and tragedies, however, were often eclipsed by the park’s undeniable allure.
The ill-famous Cannonball Loop, a water slide sporting a full 360-degree closed-loop at the end, was the epitome of the park’s reckless innovation. With reports of injuries and stories of test dummies being decapitated, it was an attraction both feared and adored.
But the park’s zest for unfettered fun wasn’t confined to the rides. Alcohol flowed liberally, enhancing the atmosphere of free-spirited revelry but also amplifying the park's inherent hazards. Undertrained teenage staff were largely ineffective in maintaining order, so discipline was generally lax.
Despite the contentious issues, Action Park gathered a cult-like following. Stories of survival, akin to badges of honour, were passed down across generations. For every tale of accidents and injuries, there were others of gleaming summers and unprecedented freedom.
Alas, freedom often came with a cost, and at Action Park, that cost was human lives. The most poignant reminder of this was the death of George Larsson in 1980. Riding the Alpine Slide, he flew off the track and hit his head on a rock, causing a fatal brain injury. It was the first, but sadly not the last death, the park would witness.
By the late ’90s, the park’s reputation and legal troubles were insurmountable. Personal injury lawsuits piled up, and insurance became hard to secure. In 1996, Action Park shut down, only to reopen a few years later under a different name and with safety as a priority.
The legacy of Action Park is complex, tied to both childhood nostalgia and grim reminders of its dangerous reality. It stands as a testament to a bygone era, representing both the joy of unchecked thrill-seeking and the devastating consequences of negligence. While it might be remembered fondly by those who emerged unscathed, it should also be regarded as a cautionary tale against reckless abandon. The true story of Action Park documents man's pursuit of exhilarating fun, pushing the boundaries of safety, and sadly, at times, ignoring the unmistakable sanctity of life.
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