Environmental degradation is escalating at an alarming rate and for this reason; people who are concerned about the fate of the planet try their best to go green. Currently, several industries are putting some good effort into reducing their CO2 emissions into the environment. Theme Parks have not been left behind in this race; all over the world theme park developers are coming with new innovative ways that seek to eradicate environmental pollution.
Being that these places require very large amounts of energy to operate, they are more prone to pollute the surrounding environment if proper measures are not taken. Building an eco-friendly theme park will not only save the environment but will also lower the amount of money used in running and managing the park. This includes the use of various eco-friendly or solar-powered equipment starting from the generator that powers the rides to the air compressors used in the control rooms. Through this article, you will get highlights on how one can go about building an eco-friendly theme park.
Resort to Solar Energy
Every theme park needs a good amount of energy to efficiently run. The rides, the lighting all require large amounts of energy to fully operate. Having a solar project in the park is one of the best ways you can go green and at the same time lowering the cost of management. By using Photovoltaic solar panels, you can harness clean energy from the sun and use it to power the whole park, including the energy that powers the air receiver. The good thing with solar panels is that they can produce high amounts of energy that can be used to run everything in the park without emitting any CO2 to the environment.
Have a Waste Management Plan
Parks are known to host a very large number of people from time to time. This makes them one of the places that receive the largest amount of waste in a single day. Having a good waste management plan will not only help you to avoid costly repairs such as calling a blocked drain plumber every so often; it also helps to conserve the environment in several ways, one being soil conservation. A good number of the materials used in serving food at the parks are made of plastics and aluminium. If proper care is not taken some of these materials may end up polluting the soil and in worse case scenarios can act as health hazards. A waste management plan will give you an easy time when deciding what to do with each type of waste.
The best way to go about waste management is by recycling. Through this, you will be able to make new products that you can still use in the park. If properly done recycling can convert waste materials into energy that can be used in the park.
Use Better Source of Energy
Unlike the common diesel fuel biodiesel fuel is fully biodegradable and is among the commonly used types of renewable fuels. Biodiesel fuels are known to have very little impact on the environment due to their chemical composition. These fuels are purely made from natural vegetable oils and plant fat. This means that they are non-toxic and very friendly to the environment. Biodiesel fuels can be used as an alternative to petroleum diesel fuels. This can also be used to create a non-combustible cladding, making the rides extremely safe.
One other option is to use biomass, which is created from various bio-materials; trees, and even waste materials found in a sewer blockage. Talk to your local government bodies to learn more about biomass and converting it into energy. Also, consult with the emergency services officer appointed for the themed park to know the do’s and don’t of complete conversion to a solar-powered theme park.
People-Powered Rides
A good number of the rides in the park are powered by external sources of energy such as electricity and petroleum fuels. All these lead to environmental pollution, this can be avoided by installing rides that use human propulsion mechanisms. This can especially be effective on rollercoasters with the help of gravity and the weight of those on board you can make rides without relying on any form of energy. One example of such rides is the zipline in this adventure park in Victoria.
Organic architectural Designs
The buildings, structures and the architectural cladding used in the park can also have an impact on the environment. Some roofing materials are known to produce high amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. This can be controlled by using green organic roofing materials that will reduce the carbon footprint.
By creating a sustainable funfair that commits to limit its environmental effects, we play a part and setting a good example to our community. Below are a couple of examples of eco entertainment parks around the world that we all can take notes from.
Nature adventure pool, Vorderhornbach (Austria)
Founded in Vorderhornbach (Lechtal Valley, Tyrol) in 2010, the swimming was completely realised with natural materials. Aside from the little swimming lake Badino with organic rocks from which you can dip, lianas along with a brook, it includes a place where filtered water. This utilizes a system of pumps and filters that cleans the lake without using chlorine and other chemical substances. The swimming pool is located next to the cycling path of the Lechtal Valley and in the winter it will become an ice rink.
Crealy Great Adventure Park (UK)
The very first adventure park in the UK that’s powered by renewable energy. The buildings and attractions, including the vertiginous roller coaster, use the electricity made by solar panels. Even the Crealy Great Adventure Park’s vehicles, in addition, are fuelled by biodiesel, pit water in the park is extracted to avoid wasting drinking water and local manufacturers supply their products.
Live Wire Park (Australia)
An adventure park that claims to be powered by Nature. Located in a forest in Lorne, Victoria, it uses surrounding trees as anchors for recreational zip lines which are known to have gone through all the height safety precautions. The park has various circuit options that differ by their intensity and the length of the circuit. It also hosts outdoor team building activities for bigger groups. Designed to produce a minimum impact on the environment, it is powered by solar energy and recycles water that is collected on-site. It even encourages its customers not to bring food containers from outside to minimize waste on-site!
Orme nel parco (Italy)
Immersed in a beechwood on the hills of the area of Sila, southern Italy, this theme park comprises land art installations and puppy walking trails. Aside from the traditional outdoor entertainment activities (experience itineraries, mountain bike, climbing, excursions etc), it is possible to have “eco experiences”, guided sensory adventures in contact with nature.
