Enchanted Forest Water Safari will not be opening this summer, after postponing its scheduled opening date in June due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Enchanted forest water safari announcing the park will remain closed for the rest of the season.
Its the first time since the park opened in 1956 that its been closed for the entire season.
News channel 2's brent kearney tells us where the park goes from here and how this will affect tourism.
For 65 years the fun hasn't stopped here at water safari until now.
.
None .
None "yeah we're disappointed it's the first time, this would've been our 65th season at enchanted forest water safari since the gates open at nine in 1956.
And then the 44th season since our family open the park so yeah it's a sad day.
The gift shop and calypso's cove next door remain open, but the park's 3 new water slides will have to wait until next year.
"we're disappointed that we won't be able to share them with our guests.
It gives us a little extra time to fine-tune things around the new rides and be ready will do that now for the rest of the summer and some other projects in the park.
Things will be even better when we open next year."
Wojdyla says if you've purchased season tickets or regular admission tickets, those can be forwarded to next year.
"they're automatically pushed forward.
Same with our tickets they're good forever so if people are able to hold onto those and come and use them next year that would be the best option."
Tourism director mike farmer tells me the park's closure has already had an affect on the old forge economy.
"thousands of people on typical summer day that comes to water safari and everyone that comes to water safari comes to old forge.
It's a huge impact in many many respects water safari is by far the largest attraction for our area."
"financially park management says they will take a hit but plan on being back stronger than ever next summer."
We're only open 80 some days each summer so it's definitely going to hurt us.
We're good business people and we're working hard to secure our future and we will be back next summer.
In old forge brent kearney news channel 2 > going county by county now with the latest coronavirus numbers....we start with a number of possible exposures...in each case the
As August approaches, Enchanted Forest Water Safari has decided not to open the park this year.
