OLD FORGE — Water Safari Resort, Inc. plans to expand its Enchanted Forest Water Safari water theme park located in Old Forge in Herkimer County. The park will add three new water slides and replace two older slides, Killermanjaro and Serengeti Surf Hill, Empire State Development said in an Aug. 9 news release. Empire State […]
OLD FORGE — Water Safari Resort, Inc. plans to expand its Enchanted Forest Water Safari water theme park located in Old Forge in Herkimer County.
The park will add three new water slides and replace two older slides, Killermanjaro and Serengeti Surf Hill, Empire State Development said in an Aug. 9 news release.
Empire State Development (ESD) has awarded $500,000 in funding from the Upstate Revitalization Initiative toward this project that, when completed, is “expected to increase traffic significantly in the region,” per the ESD. The agency said the total project cost is estimated at $3 million..
“We are thrilled to have the support of New York’s Empire State Development for this exciting new expansion project,” Katie Wojdyla, VP of Enchanted Forest Water Safari and director of marketing, said in the release. “It’s a win-win for everyone, most of all for our guests and for the region. Killermanjaro and Serengeti Surf Hill have provided millions of rides and memories to guests since 1988, and we look forward to continuing that tradition with our new rides.”
Construction is set to begin in September and should be finished for the start of the 2020 summer season next June, ESD said.
The three new water slides will include a four-lane, 300-foot mat slide with loops; a 200-foot speed slide, with a drop launch pad; and a brand new 295-foot speed slide with loops and a drop launch pad.
The expansion project includes demolition of the current slides, re-engineering and construction of the new slides, as well as the re-engineering of the water pumps and filtration equipment.
“Tourism stimulates economic growth and job creation, and the expansion of Enchanted Forest Water Safari will help boost tourism at attractions throughout the Mohawk Valley,” Howard Zemsky, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development, contended.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari, located in Old Forge, is New York’s largest water theme park with more than 50 rides and attractions, including 32 water rides. The park also features classic amusement rides, food, games, storybook characters, and a family circus show. The Water Park is part of Water Safari Resort, which includes Water’s Edge Inn, Old Forge Camping Resort, and Calypso’s Cove Family Fun Park.
Enchanted Forest Water Safari attracts over 200,000 visitors annually from all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as other countries, per the release.