America’s Most Dangerous Theme Park?
Action Park’s legacy is a cautionary tale of what can happen when thrill-seeking and profit motives overshadow safety
As a kid growing up in Maplewood, New Jersey, your Editor usually spent summer vacation kicking around the local town pool, or heading to Stone Harbor for a week’s vacation. Despite being bombarded with TV commercials, I never got the chance to visit the infamous Action Park in Vernon, NJ. My brother went once, but our parents always seemed a bit nervous about taking us to this local theme park. Having recently watched the outstanding HBO Documentary, Class Action Park, I now understand why.
Often dubbed “the most dangerous theme park in America,” Action Park gained notoriety for its hazardous attractions and lax safety measures. Opened in 1978, the park offered a unique blend of thrill rides and water attractions, but its appeal was marred by numerous accidents and injuries. The park’s infamous reputation stemmed from its poorly designed rides, many of which lacked proper safety features. The “Alpine Slide”, for instance, was a concrete track that guests descended on small sleds with ineffective brakes. The track’s steep inclines and sharp turns frequently caused riders to lose control, resulting in severe injuries such as broken bones and abrasions. Similarly, the “Cannonball Loop”, a water slide with a complete vertical loop, was hastily constructed without adequate testing. This ride caused numerous injuries, including bloody noses and back problems, due to the intense forces exerted on riders. Another contributing factor to Action Park’s danger was its lenient enforcement of safety regulations. Lifeguards and ride operators were often undertrained teenagers who struggled to manage the high-risk environment. The park’s culture encouraged risky behavior, with alcohol readily available and minimal supervision, leading to reckless behavior by visitors. This lack of oversight contributed to a staggering number of injuries and even fatalities, with six recorded deaths between 1978 and 1996.
Additionally, the documentary outlines how the park’s management ignored or downplayed safety concerns, resulting in a hazardous environment. The park’s insurance was reportedly self-funded through a fraudulent Cayman Islands company, highlighting the lengths to which management went to circumvent proper regulatory scrutiny. Rides designed by amateurs, staffed by untrained teens, all in an environment intended to attract rowdy teenagers from New York & New Jersey. What could possibly go wrong?
Action Park’s legacy is a cautionary tale of what can happen when thrill-seeking and profit motives overshadow safety. Its blend of dangerous ride designs, inadequate safety protocols, and a permissive atmosphere created a perfect storm that earned it the title of America’s most dangerous theme park. This notoriety has since become a part of pop culture. If you get the chance, check out the fantastic HBO Documentary, Class Action Park, which is streaming on Max. Formany of us, it’s a reminder of what it was like growing up in the 1970s and 1980s.
