On hot summer days, water parks can be packed. Sliding down a water ride or lounging in a pool seems like a great way to cool off. While the continuing drought won't be closing water parks this summer, it could put a damper on some of the fun. Brad Linder has more.

Water Slides
The extended drought in Eastern Pennsylvania is not going unnoticed by amusement parks that rely on water for their success.
May 30, 2002

The most popular water ride at Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is the Aqua Blast. Four or five people fill up a raft, and then splash through the length of a waterslide.

Park spokesperson Chris Ozimek says while guests are busy playing in the water, they might not notice efforts the park is making do deal with the drought.

"We do have a water park to operate, but the water park water is recycled," says Ozimek. "So, whereas you may see a lot of water running, it is recycled. But the decorative fountains in the park are all dried up."

Dorney Park isn't the only location conserving water. Audrey Shapiro, spokesperson for Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, says that park also filters and recycles water. But decorative fountains won't be the only things shut off for the season.

"Sesame Place will not be operating a few of the water attractions such as our water tower and our water maze and balance beams because of the drought restrictions," she says. "We've also closed down a ride, which will help save gallons of water."

Shapiro adds that the park is holding off on watering some of its lawns until the drought emergency is lifted.


Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom
An amusement park in Allentown, PA

Sesame Place
An amusement park in Langhorne, PA

Drought Information
A directory of websites about this drought and others.




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