Hey all, I have finally found the time to post pics, and for my first thread, I wanted to share my first explore, back in 2012 (before I even knew what urbex was, or had started using the word 'explore' as a noun). I actually tried to post this earlier, but it didn't seem to take, so this is my second attempt.
This is an abandoned theme park (as I've heard it is being converted into a Heritage, USA Christian park) in northern Arkansas. It was active from the late 60's until the early 90's, and was a simple park based off of Andy Capp's "Li'l Abner" characters. The park featured a water slide, boat rides, a train, a few small rides, and various shows and crafts/art exhibits, as well as a trout pond and a restaurant that would cook your catch for you.
The park would inevitably close due to low revenues, remote location, and lack of interest and even lack of awareness of its actual theme. Back in the 80's my parents would pack up my brothers and I and we would come here...I rather liked it. I was married to Daisy Mae here once (a 'til sundown' marriage), and was sawed in half during a magic show when I was 12. I feel very fortunate that my brothers and I were able to revisit this place 20 years later, and explore the remains of what was...even more fortunate that the owners happened to be there that day, and had granted us permission to enter. Hope you all enjoy, I'm excited to be able to finally post photos!
1. The remains of the entrance...


2. Closed...forever


3. The old waterwheel


4. Rotting away...


5. The Kissing Rocks


6. The old pond, and one lone duck boat.


7. Healthfood in the south!


8. The old chapel...

9.


10. The old trout fishery.

The heritage usa reopening looks like it’s bound to fail, i doubt it’ll last for long

Posted by Pear The heritage usa reopening looks like it’s bound to fail, i doubt it’ll last for long

I would agree...there's another heritage park somewhere around NC that failed too.

There's an interesting bit of case regarding this place which ultimately resulted in the owner turning the property over to the plaintiff to settle the lawsuit.

Cliff Notes version:

The owner was upset with trespassers riding ATVs on the property and strung steel cable at neck height across a road. The plaintiff got clotheslined by one of these and sued the property owner.

If you visited the property after 2011, you met the owners that got the property from the lawsuit.

https://caselaw.fi...court/1607804.html

Posted by Radio2600 There's an interesting bit of case regarding this place which ultimately resulted in the owner turning the property over to the plaintiff to settle the lawsuit. Cliff Notes version: The owner was upset with trespassers riding ATVs on the property and strung steel cable at neck height across a road. The plaintiff got clotheslined by one of these and sued the property owner. If you visited the property after 2011, you met the owners that got the property from the lawsuit. https://caselaw.fi...court/1607804.html

Yes! Thank you for adding that...I kinda rushed my writeup and forgot to add that info. When my brother was doing some pre-explore research, he had read the story. Allegedly in 2001, the kid was nearly decapitated (claiming he'd had permission to be there), and was awarded the property and (I heard) about $900,000.
When we arrived, a black SUV appeared at the front gate, the 2 men had been meeting with the owners, and were doubtful about us being allowed to walk around (one in fact made a reference to how the owners wanted to avoid legal issues, and even asked us if we knew about the old lawsuit). As I walked along the highway trying to shoot what I could, my brothers decided to enter the park and approach the meeting, then called me and said they were okay with us walking around...so long as we were careful. At one point I had to laugh when I saw a guy up on the hill, piloting an ATV (pretty sure it was one of the members of the owners' group...good to see him back on the horse).
We had a great time, and thanked them upon leaving for allowing us to walk around. There were maybe 8 guys there, decked out in fishing gear, hanging out by the old trout pond. (I can't recall the name, I want to say Nance maybe?) Anyway, thanks again for sharing that info!