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December 20, 2007

A New Vision For The Fun Forest

The Stranger has a story this week about a possible plan to not just save, but actually improve the Fun Forest:

Roller-coaster enthusiast John Sutherland—a former ski-school director, resort manager, and University of Washington administrator ... wants to breathe new life into the Fun Forest by bringing in new rides, new crowds, and $18 million worth of private investment over the next two years. Sutherland—who once held a Guinness World Record for riding 40 roller coasters in 24 hours—has brought in a team of designers, merchandisers, and investors (mostly former Six Flags executives, he says) to completely rethink, or at least retool, Fun Forest.

Sutherland's proposal—tentatively named "The Thrillway," a reference to the Fun Forest's original moniker, "The Gayway"—shares some similarities with the old Fun Forest. It would still be filled with rides with names like "Disko," "Discovery," "Mega Drop," and the "Spinning Wild Mouse," but Sutherland wants to take things a step further. Sutherland's vision for the park integrates the rides with the landscape. He says he envisions a "world-class roller coaster" that would circle the park, ultimately dropping down over the Center's monorail tracks as a way to incorporate the ride into the Center's landscape.

The city, of course, isn't taking his calls - which is baffling. A good amusement park in the Center - one that's staffed regularly, with good attractions and regular operating hours - could be a vibrant part of Seattle Center, and 180 degrees from the dreary Fun Forest we have today.

(Tip o' the hat to Screamscape.)

Posted by Gavin Shearer at December 20, 2007 9:04 AM. Posted to Entertainment.

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