Action Park was a revolutionary but notoriously dangerous amusement park located in Vernon Township, New Jersey, which operated primarily from 1978 to 1996. Known for its "user-controlled" thrills and a lack of traditional safety oversight, it remains a legendary fixture in American pop culture and New Jersey history.
The Origins of Chaos: Gene Mulvihill and Great American Recreation
To understand why Action Park was in Vernon Township, New Jersey, one must understand the vision of its founder, Eugene "Gene" Mulvihill. In the mid-1970s, Mulvihill’s company, Great American Recreation (GAR), owned the Vernon Valley and Great Gorge ski areas. To generate revenue during the summer months, Mulvihill envisioned a park where visitors weren't just passive riders on a mechanical track but active participants who controlled their own speed, height, and level of risk.
The park opened in 1978 and was divided into three main sections: the Alpine Center, Motor World, and Waterworld. Unlike Disney World or Six Flags, Action Park was built on the philosophy of personal responsibility. Mulvihill famously believed that people should be allowed to take risks, and if they got hurt, it was generally their own fault for not handling the ride correctly. This libertarian approach to amusement park design created an environment that was both exhilarating for teenagers and a nightmare for state regulators and insurance companies.
Vernon Township provided the perfect backdrop for this experiment. Located in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Sussex County, the natural elevation changes allowed for high-speed slides and tracks that utilized the local geography. However, this same terrain contributed to the physical intensity of the attractions, as many rides were built directly into the rocky hillsides.
The Alpine Center: Speed and Friction
The Alpine Center was the site of one of the park’s most iconic and dangerous attractions: the Alpine Slide. This ride consisted of a concrete and fiberglass track built into the mountain. Riders sat on small plastic sleds equipped with a single hand-lever brake and were hauled to the top of the mountain via a ski lift.
The design of the Alpine Slide was fundamentally flawed from a safety perspective. The sleds featured wheels that would often lock up or break, and the "brakes" were notoriously unreliable—often either failing entirely or grabbing so hard that the sled would flip. Because the track was made of abrasive materials, falling off the sled meant sliding across concrete at high speeds, resulting in severe "road rash" or friction burns.
During the park's peak years, the Alpine Slide was responsible for a significant percentage of the park's total injuries. In 1980, it was the site of Action Park's first fatality when a park employee’s sled jumped the track, leading to a fatal head injury. Despite the risks, the slide remained a centerpiece of the Vernon landscape for nearly two decades, embodying the park's "risk-at-your-own-peril" ethos.
Waterworld: The Engineering of Danger
Waterworld was perhaps the most famous section of Action Park, containing some of the first modern water slides ever built. Because the industry was in its infancy, many of the rides were experimental, designed by Mulvihill and his team on the back of napkins rather than by professional engineers.
The Cannonball Loop
The most infamous attraction was the Cannonball Loop, a vertical loop water slide. It was exactly what it sounded like: a steep enclosed tube that sent riders through a 360-degree vertical loop. The physics were precarious; if a rider didn't have enough momentum, they would fall from the top of the loop onto their head. If they had too much, the G-forces were punishing.
Reports from former employees suggest that the first test dummies sent through the loop came out decapitated. When humans eventually tested it, they often emerged with scratches and bruises caused by sand and debris that collected at the bottom of the loop or by hitting the interior of the tube. The ride was only open for a short period in the mid-1980s before the New Jersey Carnival Equipment Safety Advisory Board ordered it closed.
The Tidal Wave Pool
Commonly referred to by locals as "The Grave Pool," the Tidal Wave Pool was one of the first of its kind in the United States. Measuring 100 feet by 250 feet, it could hold up to 1,000 people. The waves were generated by massive fans that created swells up to 40 inches high.
The danger stemmed from a combination of factors: the water was fresh (less buoyant than salt water), the pool was overcrowded, and many visitors were inexperienced swimmers. On a typical weekend, lifeguards reportedly made dozens of rescues per day. Tragically, three of the park's six confirmed deaths occurred in this pool.
The Kayak Experience
Another unique Waterworld attraction was the Kayak Experience, where visitors paddled small boats through a whitewater course. The ride used massive underwater fans to create the current. In 1982, a man died after his kayak overturned; when he stepped out to right the vessel, he came into contact with exposed wiring for the fans and was electrocuted. This incident highlighted the often-haphazard electrical and mechanical engineering that underpinned the park's "DIY" construction style.
Motor World: Mechanical Mayhem
Located across Route 94 from the main park, Motor World focused on motorized vehicles. It featured "Tank Tag," where guests could drive small tanks and shoot tennis balls at each other, and "Super Go-Karts" that were rumored to have their governors removed by mischievous employees, allowing them to reach speeds of 50 mph.
The Battle Action Boats were another Motor World staple. These were bumper boats equipped with "cannons" that fired tennis balls. However, the boats often leaked gasoline into the water, and the engines were prone to stalling, leaving riders stranded in a pool of oily water while others pelted them with balls.
Regulatory Defiance and the Insurance Scandal
One of the most remarkable aspects of Action Park's history was how it managed to stay open despite a staggering number of injuries. In the 1980s, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) attempted to regulate the park, but Mulvihill was a master of legal maneuvering.
When traditional insurance companies refused to cover the park due to its high accident rate, Mulvihill didn't close the park. Instead, he created his own captive insurance company, "London and International Assurance," based in the Cayman Islands. This entity was essentially a shell company that did not actually have the funds to pay out major claims, a move that later led to a multi-count grand jury indictment.
The park also maintained a complex relationship with Vernon Township. As one of the largest employers in Sussex County, Action Park provided jobs for hundreds of local teenagers. Many of these young employees were given significant responsibilities, including operating dangerous rides and performing rescues, often with minimal training. This created a "wild west" atmosphere where the staff was often just as reckless as the guests.
The End of an Era: Bankruptcy and Rebranding
By the mid-1990s, the mounting legal fees, insurance fraud investigations, and a changing cultural attitude toward safety began to catch up with Great American Recreation. The park's reputation as a "death trap" had transitioned from a local joke to a national liability.
In 1996, GAR filed for bankruptcy. The property was eventually sold to the Canadian resort developer Intrawest, which sought to transform the mountain into a more family-friendly, corporate-standard destination. Intrawest invested heavily in safety, removing the most dangerous original rides and rebranding the area as Mountain Creek Waterpark in 1998.
The Brief Revival and Modern Legacy
In 2014, the Mulvihill family (through Gene's son, Andy Mulvihill) regained control of the park and attempted a nostalgic rebranding, changing the name back to Action Park. They introduced a new "safe" version of a vertical loop slide and leaned into the park’s legendary history. However, the revival was short-lived, and by 2016, the name was changed back to Mountain Creek Waterpark to better align with the resort's broader identity as a year-round outdoor destination.
Today, in 2026, Action Park exists primarily as a cultural touchstone. It has been the subject of several documentaries, most notably Class Action Park (2020), and a memoir by Andy Mulvihill titled Action Park: Fast Times, Wild Rides, and High Stakes. These works have cemented the park’s status as a symbol of 1980s Americana—a time before modern litigation and strict safety protocols defined the American leisure experience.
Comparing the Risks: Historical Attraction Data
The following table outlines the most notorious attractions at Action Park and the primary risks they posed during their peak operation.
| Attraction | Section | Primary Danger | Typical Injury | Status Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Slide | Alpine Center | Friction/Concrete impact | Severe road rash, fractures | Removed; replaced by modern coaster |
| Cannonball Loop | Waterworld | Improper G-forces/Impact | Dental trauma, neck injury | Removed; historical artifact |
| Tidal Wave Pool | Waterworld | Deep water/Overcrowding | Near-drowning, exhaustion | Redesigned and still in use |
| Kayak Experience | Waterworld | Electrical hazards | Electrocution risk | Removed entirely |
| Tank Tag | Motor World | Mechanical/Tennis ball impact | Bruising, chemical exposure | Removed |
| Tarzan Swing | Waterworld | Height/Cold water shock | Back injuries, drowning | Replaced with safer version |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly was Action Park located in New Jersey?
Action Park was located in Vernon Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, approximately 50 miles northwest of New York City. It occupied the grounds of what is now the Mountain Creek Resort on Route 94. The park took advantage of the natural mountain terrain that was used for skiing in the winter.
How many people actually died at Action Park?
There are six confirmed fatalities associated with Action Park during its original run from 1978 to 1996. Three of these deaths occurred in the Tidal Wave Pool, one on the Alpine Slide, one at the Kayak Experience, and one at the Tarzan Swing. While the number is high for an amusement park, it is often exaggerated in urban legends.
Why was it called "Class Action Park"?
The nickname "Class Action Park" was a play on words created by local residents and regular visitors. It referred to the high volume of lawsuits (class action suits) filed against the park by injured patrons. The name eventually became so popular that it was used as the title for the definitive documentary about the park’s history.
Can you still visit the site of Action Park?
Yes, the site is currently home to Mountain Creek Waterpark and Mountain Creek Resort. While almost all of the original, dangerous rides have been removed or replaced with modern, safer versions, the general layout of the waterpark remains similar. Visitors can still ride the "Colorado River" and use the Wave Pool, though they are operated under strict modern safety standards.
Was the Cannonball Loop water slide ever open to the public?
The Cannonball Loop was open for a very brief window in 1985. It was closed almost immediately by the state's safety board due to numerous injuries. While it remained standing as a terrifying landmark for many years, it was rarely operational and was eventually dismantled.
Practical Recommendations for Exploring the History
If you are interested in the legacy of Action Park in 2026, the best way to experience it is through a combination of media and a visit to the current site. Start by reading Andy Mulvihill's memoir to understand the behind-the-scenes business decisions that allowed the park to exist. Afterward, watching the Class Action Park documentary provides a visual sense of the chaos.
When visiting Mountain Creek in Vernon, you can still see the steep hillsides that once housed the Alpine Slide. While the modern waterpark is significantly safer and professionalized, the natural beauty of the Vernon mountains remains unchanged. For those seeking historical context, the Vernon Township Historical Society occasionally features exhibits or information regarding the impact of the park on the local community during the late 20th century.
