6 Shocking Facts about Water Parks
Kode Iklan Atas Artikel
Water parks are a surefire source of summer fun. But before you step foot in the amusement park’s splashy cousin, ask yourself: how much do you really know about these popular summertime play palaces? Though the parks—and the rides that compose them—haven’t been around for long (the first one opened its doors to the public in 1962), you’ll find a lot of crazy history and wacky facts hiding in the waterslides and lazy rivers of the world. In other words: if you’re among the 85 million people who spend time at a water park every year, you’ll want to bone up on these shocking facts before your next visit. And for more amusing tidbits, check out these 6 Shocking Facts about Amusement Parks.
1. Water Slides Are More Dangerous Than Rollercoasters
In 2014, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs collected data on injuries at amusement parks and water parks and found that visitors were more than twice as likely to get hurt on a water slide compared to a rollercoaster. Of the total reported incidents, water rides accounted for a staggering 40 percent (and this is even more shocking when you consider that water rides only make up 11 percent of all the attractions in New Jersey.)
2. The “Water Park Capital of the World” Isn’t Where You’d Expect
With more than twenty indoor and outdoor water parks, Wisconsin Dells is the self-proclaimed “water park capital of the world.” The city is home to Noah’s Ark, America’s largest water park, and Kalahari Water Park Resort, the country’s largest indoor water park.
3. The First Indoor Park Was Probably Built
In Your Lifetime
Nowadays, you’ll find indoor water parks all over the world to enjoy year-round, but the first one wasn’t actually built until 1985. World Waterpark in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is housed inside the West Edmonton Mall, and remains the largest indoor water park in North America to this day.
4. Public Pools Are Breeding Grounds For Bacteria
Unfortunately, kids (and even some adults) haven’t quite grasped the concept that it’s not okay to use the public pool like a toilet—and their excretions make for a not-so-pleasant swimming experience. One study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) found that 58 percent of public pools contained E. coli bacteria, likely from fecal contamination. And Canadian scientists determined that one 220,000-galloon pool contained almost 20 gallons of urine. When you do go for a dip, rinse off beforehand to avoid being part of the problem—and this should go without saying, but don’t pee in the pool.
5. Water Park Drains Are Disgusting
“We’ve pulled out innumerable hair and fake nails,” one Reddit user who worked at a water park wrote about the things he’s seen in the drain. “Lots of little dead animals—voles, mice, birds, the like. Bandaids, dirty swim diapers, glass, trash of all sorts. Just, everything. People are disgusting.” Ew.
6. The First Ever Water Park Was Originally Built For Private Use
In the 1950s, local businessman Bob Byers built Lake Dolores Waterpark in Southern California for his extended family to enjoy. Named after his wife, the park originally featured little more than a man-made lake and a campground; however, when Byers decided to open the park to the public in 1962, he added water slides, high dives, raft rides, and more. In 1990, Byers sold the park and it was run under the name Rock-a-Hoola and later Discovery Waterpark until its closing in 2004
5. Water Park Drains Are Disgusting
“We’ve pulled out innumerable hair and fake nails,” one Reddit user who worked at a water park wrote about the things he’s seen in the drain. “Lots of little dead animals—voles, mice, birds, the like. Bandaids, dirty swim diapers, glass, trash of all sorts. Just, everything. People are disgusting.” Ew.
6. The First Ever Water Park Was Originally Built For Private Use
In the 1950s, local businessman Bob Byers built Lake Dolores Waterpark in Southern California for his extended family to enjoy. Named after his wife, the park originally featured little more than a man-made lake and a campground; however, when Byers decided to open the park to the public in 1962, he added water slides, high dives, raft rides, and more. In 1990, Byers sold the park and it was run under the name Rock-a-Hoola and later Discovery Waterpark until its closing in 2004
Kode Iklan Bawah Artikel