May 19th 2024.
Back in the 1980s, Tracey McLaughlin was just one of the many teenagers in New Jersey who found themselves working at Action Park, one of the biggest theme parks in America. Despite its reputation for having safety issues, Tracey loved working there, along with hundreds of other young people from the state. She spent her days as a lifeguard at the wave pool and also worked the popular Alpine slide.
Like many others who experienced the thrill of Action Park, Tracey has countless fond memories of the resort. She often shares them on social media platforms dedicated to the now defunct theme park. But these memories are not your typical "most magical place on earth" recollections. Instead, they have more of a "if you don't have a scar, were you even there?" kind of vibe.
Seth Porges, a documentary maker who also visited Action Park as a child, explains, "Everyone knew Action Park had safety issues. But that only made it more popular. It wasn't like going to Disneyland and bragging about making it through a ride. At Action Park, there were so many rides that were all about the bragging rights. The risk was worth the reward."
One of the most notorious rides at Action Park was the Alpine slide, which Tracey remembers as "very dangerous." Made of concrete with a plastic slide and a hand brake, it was known for its high speeds and lack of side rails. As a result, many riders would get injured, some even suffering head injuries. But despite the risks, people were still drawn to the ride, eager to claim their bragging rights.
Of course, it's expected that a theme park will have some level of danger in order to provide an exciting experience. But Action Park took it to a whole new level. Created in 1978 by businessman Eugene Mulvihill, it was located in rural Vernon, New Jersey, about 50 miles outside of New York City. Over its 18-year history, the park gained a reputation for countless injuries and lawsuits, as well as six shocking deaths, including two in just one week.
Despite its dark history, Action Park continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many. There are numerous nostalgic Facebook groups, websites, podcasts, and documentaries dedicated to the park. Even Gene's own son, Andy, released a book about his experiences there. There were even rumors of a comedy series about the park in the works for streaming service Hulu.
Seth Porges, who created the hit documentary Class Action Park, says, "So much of what happened at Action Park seemed too bizarre to be true, like an urban legend. But the more I looked into it, the more I realized that most of the rumors were actually true. As a kid, it was hard to reconcile the insane rides and chaotic atmosphere with how society is supposed to work. But that was part of the appeal."
But along with the badge of honor that comes with surviving Action Park, there are also tragic stories of those who didn't make it out alive. From being impaled on a bolt to drowning in the tidal wave pool, the park's death toll is a grim reminder of the fine line between terror and tragedy.
One of the most notorious incidents was the death of an employee on the Alpine slide, which was known as the most popular ride at the park. This ride was famously recreated by Jackass' Johnny Knoxville for his movie Action Point in 2018. Knoxville himself has said that he was injured more times making the movie than in his entire career, suffering multiple concussions and other injuries.
But the real-life victim of the Alpine slide was 19-year-old George Larsson Jr., who was thrown 25 feet from the ride and hit his head on a rock, ultimately dying from his injuries. Despite this tragic event and others like it, the allure of Action Park remained strong for many, even former employees who admit that they were often saving multiple people a day from the dangerous attractions.
In the end, Action Park was a unique and unforgettable experience for those who dared to visit. It may have had its share of safety issues and tragedies, but for many, the risk was worth the reward. And even though the park is now closed, the memories and stories of Action Park live on, reminding us of the fine line between danger and adventure.
In the eighties, one of the biggest theme parks in America was Action Park, located in Vernon, New Jersey. Hundreds of New Jersey teens, including Tracey McLaughlin, took summer jobs at the park, making it a popular spot for both visitors and employees. Even though it was known for its safety issues, Tracey fondly recalls her time working as a lifeguard at the wave pool and on the Alpine slide. In fact, many people still share their memories of Action Park on social media, but these are not your typical magical Disney World stories. Instead, they have a more daring and risky vibe, with a "no scar, no bragging rights" mentality.
Seth Porges, a documentary maker who used to visit the park as a child, explains that the park's reputation for danger only made it more popular. Unlike Disney World, where visitors won't boast about surviving a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean, Action Park's attractions were all about bragging rights. Despite the risk, people couldn't resist the thrill and excitement of the park, making it the most fun amusement park of its time.
One of the most notorious rides at Action Park was the Alpine slide, which Tracey describes as "very dangerous." Made of concrete, riders sat on a plastic slide with a hand brake, which could reach dangerous speeds. With no side rails, it was easy for riders to fly off or bump into others, resulting in cuts and even head injuries. While a certain level of danger is expected at a theme park, Action Park took it to a whole new level.
Created in 1978 by businessman Eugene Mulvihill, Action Park was situated around 50 miles outside of New York City. Over its 18-year history, the park was known for its high number of injuries and lawsuits, and shockingly, six deaths. Despite its dark history, the park has become a nostalgic topic, with many Facebook groups, websites, podcasts, and documentaries dedicated to it. Even Gene's own son, Andy, has released a book about his experiences at the park, and there were rumors of a comedy series in development.
Seth Porges, who created the HBO documentary Class Action Park, explains that much of what happened at the park seemed like urban legends, but they were actually true. As he delved deeper into the park's history, he discovered that most of the stories were not just rumors but real events. In the film, interviewees recall jaw-dropping injuries and incidents, solidifying the idea that fact is often stranger than fiction.
While many people have fond memories of Action Park, there are also the horrifying stories of those who didn't make it out alive. The park's death toll includes an electrocution, heart attack, and three drownings. Even Gene's son, Andy, who worked as a lifeguard at the park, had to pull a dead body out of the pool. Despite the risks and tragic outcomes, people still flocked to the park for the ultimate adrenaline rush.
One of the most popular attractions at Action Park was the Alpine slide, which was recreated by Johnny Knoxville in his film Action Point. He suffered multiple injuries while filming, including concussions, a broken hand, and even lost some teeth. But the real-life slide's first victim was 19-year-old employee George Larsson Jr. In 1980, he was flung 25 feet from the ride and died from his injuries. This was just one of the many tragedies that occurred at Action Park, making it a classic case of fact being stranger than fiction.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
