NYC water park to open in 2007, not everyone is pleased

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

In the latest bit of suburban creep into the nation's largest city, a family-themed water park is due before summer 2007 on a piece of Randalls Island parkland at the juncture of the East and Harlem Rivers, under the vast Triborough Bridge. The city hopes to lure more than 1.3 million visitors a year to the $168 million attraction that will boast water slides rising 80 feet into the skyline. Some locals aren't happy about the plan.

Read more from AP via amNewYork.

Yeah, nothing sucks like bringing in more business.

Business can be good, but I can see both point of views.

at last! something closer to home!!!

FYI - It's not just these people longing for the past that are upset. A lot of sports participants are upset about this also. It is expected to reduce the number of softball fields/soccer fields/flag football fields on Randall's Island in half. The numbers of fields accessible for those in Manhattan is very limited and Randall's Island always provided a sanctuary for many corporate sports leagues. And also the kids must weekends the fields are filled with kids playing also. In a society where the experts are concerned about obesity in kids removing approx. 12 softball/soccer fields will cause some tension.

Maybe that guy misses the good old days when the island was juvie hall or the asylum for alcoholics. I tend to automatically disagree with whatever "performance artists" have to say anyway.

It's about time the people who run New York realize that many people leave New York to experience what they should be able to get at home. This will definately hurt Hurricane Harbor (NJ), Splish Splash...if and only if it's well run. It is important to show that security and safetey is of the highest priority.

Down in Brooklyn, Coney Island has been begging for a waterpark for years, as the Cyclones (Minor League baseball team) became a financial hit and a quality tourist attraction.

I understand why some of the locals might not want it, but this is a win-win situation for the city if it's done right.

walking up the steps to get to the slides is very good exercise for all of those poor, fat kids. Sports are overrated anyway. (ducks)

Why do residents always complain about this kind of stuff? People should be happy when an amusement facility appears in their neighborhood. People like fun, right?

I guess I'm just always for more "major" waterparks, as it means more jobs out there for me!

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