Harbour Park
{{Short description|Amusement park in England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2019}}
{{about|the amusement park in England|the baseball stadium in Virginia|Harbor Park}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Harbour Park
| image = 220px
| caption = Harbour Park logo
| location = Littlehampton
| location2 = West Sussex
| location3 = England
| homepage = {{url|harbourpark.com}}
| owner = Wes Smart and Ash Smart
| opening_date = 1932
| closing_date =
| previous_names = Butlin's Park (1932–1977)
Smart's Amusement Park (1977–1994)
| season = March – October (outdoors) All year (indoor parts). Check company website for ride open dates.
| area = approx {{Convert|9600|m2|km2}}.
| rides = 14
| coasters = 1
| water_rides = 1
| slogan = "Where the FUN will never set!"
| coordinates = {{Coord|50.80346|-0.541323|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
}}
Harbour Park, is a free to enter children's amusement park with rides open seasonally on the coastal resort of Littlehampton, West Sussex, England, check Harbour Park's website before visiting for ride open dates. Opened in 1932, it is situated on the beach, adjacent to the working Harbour & Marina. The park features traditional rides plus other modern attractions and is aimed at primary school children and families.
History
| class="wikitable" border="1"
! Name ! Date | |
| Harbour Park | (1995 to present) |
| Smarts Amusement Park | (1977 to 1994) |
| Butlins Park | (1932 to 1976) |
The park was started in 1932 by Billy Butlin on the site of the old east bank fort and windmillhttp://www.mylittlehampton.co.uk/history.html A brief history of Littlehampton It was easily spotted from a distance by the presence of a large roller coaster on the roof known as "The Wild Mouse". Early pictures of this can be viewed in the West Sussex past pictures archive reference numbers PP/WSL/PC005524 & PP/WSL/TC001729. A picture of the old site prior to construction is also available reference number PP/WSL/PC005512.
During the war the park closed from 1941 to 1945, and the building was used for storage and the gathering of troops going overseas. The building suffered bomb damage during that time; but was repaired and reopened after the war as part of the Butlin's Empire, which was later purchased by the Rank Organisation.
In 1977, the park was bought from the Rank Organisation by the Billy Smart Circus family and was renamed Smart's Amusement Park. They set about re-equipping it into a family amusement centre with a selection of indoor rides, including a hall of mirrors
In 1994, the current owner, Gary Smart oversaw a sizeable redevelopment of the site.http://www.harbourpark.com/pages/Harbour_Park_History.php {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713002340/http://www.harbourpark.com/pages/Harbour_Park_History.php |date=13 July 2010 }} A history of Harbour Park The name changed from Smart’s Amusement Park to the contemporary Harbour Park, which reflected the theme running throughout the site and its unique location on the seafront and riverside. Over the next few years, major works were undertaken and the final phase was completed in the year 2000. The roller coasters were removed during this time.http://www.rcdb.com/4863.htm Roller coaster database
Harbour Park entered the new millennium with a new look, whilst managing to retain the Smart family values of providing a friendly, fun and entertaining family venue. In fact, Billy Smart still watches over the park in the form of a magnificent bronze statue located in the main building.
2007 saw another major investment of £750,000 including the addition of a log flume. Supplier DPV Rides of Italy developed a water ride that would feature a 6.5 metre drop, inside a 34×14 metre footprint.http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/438/Harbour_Park.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006042656/http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/438/Harbour_Park.html |date=6 October 2011 }} Park World online article on the 2007 investments
In 2009, the indoor artificial skating rink was replaced by the soft play area.
Attractions
There have been a large variety of indoor and outdoor rides and attractions. Some of the rides are described at the Roller Coaster DataBase (RCDB).
| class="wikitable" border="1"
! Attraction ! Type ! Suitable for ! Height range ! Added ! Removed ! Notes | ||||||
| Ocean Coaster | Wacky Worm | Family | Min 0.8m Accompanied Min 1.1m Lone Rider | 23 March 2008 | RCDB Data available[http://www.rcdb.com/2555.htm Caterpillar Coaster Info on RCDB] | |
| Dodgems | Family | 1980 | ||||
| Hiccup | Family | Min 1m | Mini-drop tower | |||
| The Pony Gallopers | Carousel | Small Children | Small Children Only, Not appropriate for infants | |||
| Water Chute | Log Flume | Family | Min 1m accompanied Min 1.2m Lone Rider | 2007 | Water Chute with a 7.5m waterfall drop | |
| Orca Whale Ride | Zamperla | Family | 2013 | Type W43{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/platform/w43.php |title=Details of the Waltzer |access-date=9 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929162055/http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/rides/platform/w43.php |archive-date=29 September 2011 |url-status=dead }} | ||
| The Spinning Barrels | Teacups | Youngsters | Small children only | |||
| Octo's Flying Animals | Family | Min 1m Accompanied Min 1.3m Lone Rider | 2006 | |||
| The Crazy Bikes | Teens+ | Min 1.5m | Pedal as fast as you can to take a 360-degree spin around | |||
| Formula 1 Circuit | Youngsters | Small children only. Not suitable for adults or older children | Youngsters can beep the horn on the Barbie Car or ring the bell on the Fire Engine etc. | |||
| Fantasy Train | Youngsters | Small children only | ||||
| The Bouncy Aquarium | Children | Up to age 11 max. | ||||
| Trampolines | Children | Up to age 11 max. | ||||
| Castle Slide | Family | Min height 90 cm. Min age 4 years. | Unknown | |||
| House of Mystery | Family | PG advised | Formerly Horror Hotel | |||
| Sharkesville Crazy Golf | Family | Shipwreck themed 9 holes | ||||
| Miner's Gold Rush | Family | Collect the pieces of gold you find and trade them in for a prize at the weighing station | ||||
| Indoor Soft Play Area | Children | Up to 1.58 m max. | 2009 | includes an over 3's section and a separate 3 and under section. This allows older children to run round and enjoy multi-level platforms, cannonball blasters, ball volcano, ramps and rope swings. Whilst, the toddlers, can be at ease in a mini ball pond, see-through observation tunnel, mini slide and soft toys. | ||
| Indoor Skating Rink | Family | 2009 | Replaced with the soft play area | |||
| Amusement Arcade | Family | The main building arcade has video drivers, shooters, pushers, prize games and cranes. The fishing village building is home to skill prize ticket games. | ||||
| Farmyard Friends Chicken Show | Family | sing-a-long with the chickens to scare the Fox off! This show is free every hour during school holidays |
Refreshment Areas
- A maritime themed Galley Restaurant & Tea Rooms (serving tea the old-fashioned way with real leaves)
- The Harbour Coffee House, which offers a selection of hot and cold food, and frothy hot chocolate with marshmallows
- The Riverside Parlours serving hot fresh doughnuts, ice creams, and other light refreshments.
Gallery
Image:HarbourParkEast.jpg | Entrance to the Main Building from the East
Image:Guarding_the_Fun_Fair,_Littlehampton_-_geograph.org.uk_-_190853.jpg | Rear west side of the giant slides
Image:The Galley Restaurant At Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg|The Galley Restaurant
Image:Billy smart statue at harbour park.JPG | Bronze statue of Billy Smart that stands inside Harbour Park
Image:The waltzer at Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg | The Harbour Park Waltzer (Now Whirlpool Waltzer)
Image:The carousel at Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg | The Carousel (Former)
Image:the giant slide at Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg | The Castle Slide
Image:seamens club at Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg | Seamens Club Arcade
Image:Formula one circuit ride at Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg | Formula one circuit ride
Image:Indoor horse ride at Harbour Park Littlehampton.jpg | One of the indoor rides (Note: This ride is now outside, next to the little kids racing circuit.)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.harbourpark.com/}}
{{Butlins|state=collapsed}}
Category:Amusement parks in England