Class Action Park

Class Action Park

So many people have been talking about this film, but I hadn’t had a chance to sit down and watch.  Last weekend, with a glass of wine in one hand and a turkey wrap in the other, I finally sat down and watched Class Action Park

This is the documentary about Action Park in New Jersey, a chaotic world of “do it yourself” adventures back in the 80’s – not so far back that I can’t remember its heyday.  I never actually went. Turns out that was a lucky break.

If you don't know the story, Action Park was a water park with a lazy river nicknamed "The Grave Pool," a loop slide that broke people's teeth, and according to the film, rides literally designed by teenagers with zero engineering background. It earned nicknames like “Traction Park” with regular injuries. People died. Multiple people. And somehow it stayed open for years.

Watching the film now, as an adult, I kept thinking about how normal all of it seemed at the time. I find it unsettling that I lived through this era yet had no idea the dangerous environment living itself out just across the riverin New Jersey.

Have any of you seen the film or even better, have any memories of Action Park in its day?

 

Comments

David Abeshouse

I like some ports, and have several bottles in my cellar.  I'd never thought of pairing it with a turkey wrap, however!  I usually think of it as an after-dinner item.  Creative use!  

 

Sean Clancy

Oh man, I vividly remember the park, the commercials, and the atmosphere. Thankfully, I never got hurt, but quite a few did, with severe road rash (Alpine Slide), broken wrists/ankles, etc. The weird thing about going there was that it truly felt like walking through a multi-hour dare. You never wanted to chicken out on a ride, and you knew there was a greater-than-normal chance you might get hurt.

 

Truth be told, I went skydiving and cannot wait to go again, so I may have been their perfect audience.

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