Iconic theme park with ‘best log flume in UK’ seen abandoned – as fans cry for it to reopen
AN ICONIC theme park which was left derelict for more than 17 years has seen fans launch a petition in a bid to get it reopened.
The American Adventure theme park was once a hit for Derbyshire families.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, the site near Heanor featured thrilling rides and attractions.
The following years saw the park’s standards decline and it was later sold to various companies before closing for good in 2006.
Several of the park’s most popular rides were sold off and what remained was left to rot.
Much of the iconic site was demolished, with the land being used to build around 300 homes, a hotel, a retirement village, leisure facilities and offices.
The American Adventure was my and quite possibly a lot of people’s childhood
Declan Salmon
Fans of the theme park launched a petition to restore the site to its former glory.
It currently has more than 11,000 signatures which is above the amount needed to elicit a response from the government.
Declan Salmon, who wrote the petition, said: “Nightmare Niagara was the best log flume in the UK at one time but it got demolished in the 2000s.
“The American Adventure was my and quite possibly a lot of people’s childhood.
“Me and my friend have come up with a new design and plan for the return of The American Adventure Theme Park with modern roller coasters and attractions.
“So sign this petition and let’s see if we can get The American Adventure Theme Park Back open for business with brand new attractions and coasters.”
Several fans commented on the petition and shared their reasons for wanting their beloved park back.
“I want the theme park to be back I loved the rides,” cried a user.
Another added: “I’m signing this petition because I used to go to American adventure when I was a kid.
“I loved it then.
“Now I have a son and another on the way so this would be great for my family.”
A third commented: “It would be great to see it back plus look at all the job opportunities it would put up for local people.”
It comes after an abandoned UK theme park is set for a huge boost as plans bid to transform it into a holiday resort.
And a theme park has annoyed its fans after it revealed that four of its top rides are set to be closed for good.
The UK's once-biggest indoor water park lies abandoned and decaying
Wet ‘n’ Wild in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, closed in 2020 due to financial difficulties.
It was home to attractions like star ride The Black Hole – a two-person tyre slide, The Kamikaze, Calamity Canyon, The Mistral, The Cyclone, The Hurricane and The Tempest.
One of its main selling points when first opening was the controlled indoor climate, heated to a ‘tropical’ 29C.
Photos from February this year show it in a sorry state, with the slides themselves still in place and the surrounding vegetation growing out of control, and glass facades boarded up.
The once-bright rides are now cracked and dull, with the pools empty.
Many fans on social media have called for it to spruced up and re-opened.
Amie Tiffin said: “Bring it back, please. We need this, loved this food court… awesome times I’ve had there.”
Wayne Fenwick added: “Hope they will do it back up.”
Rachel Belk said: “Loved Wet n Wild. Needs bringing back!”
Cheryl Brittain said: “Fabulous memories, wish it would re-open!”
Lisa Pearson said: “Fantastic day out. Wish it could still exist to take my kids. They would love it.”
The park, located in the Royal Quays complex and which opened in 1993, was a major employer in the area.
Final operator Serco Leisure said declining visitor numbers outside of school holidays and weekends meant it was not sustainable.
The park also boasted a wave machine, rapids and a lazy river.
A Space Bowl slide was ordered in 2012, but the construction was eventually scrapped.
Serco took over the lease in 2014 after the previous operator went into administration the year before.
Despite initially investing in a refurbishment, eventually similar financial challenges arose.
The climate control element was quickly abandoned to save money.
Serco purchased the building outright in 2020 for a reported £3.2 million but it remains unclear what the future of the site is.