Jungle Habitat
Encyclopedia
Jungle Habitat, located in West Milford
, New Jersey
, was a Warner Brothers-owned theme park that opened in the summer of 1972, and closed in October 1976. By November 1972, the park had 500,000 paid visitors. The park contained well over 1,500 animals, a drive-through section and a walk-through section.
section, which allowed for wild animals to roam free and approach vehicles as they slowly drove through. Riders potentially could observe peacocks, baboons, camels, elephants, llamas, giraffes, and Siberian tigers in this section, either in their own cars or on board one of the available buses. Many of the animals would climb atop the cars, bringing them to a halt, and signs were posted along the route to warn visitors to keep their windows closed. Great Adventure
in Jackson Township, New Jersey
, approximately 100 miles (160.9 km) to the south, also had (and still has) a similar type of drive-through safari attraction.
The walk-through section was a small theme park which included a petting zoo
, camel and elephant rides, snack bars, gift shop, reptile house, dolphin show, Bugs Bunny
and Friends shows including live Warner Bros. Looney Tunes
characters, and a small train station and ride-on train called Jungle Junction. The park did not have any amusement park rides, although there were plans to add them in the future.
was attacked by two lions, bringing negative publicity to the park. In 1974, a woman was bitten by a baby elephant who had reached out of its enclosure with its trunk and grabbed the woman; she ultimately was awarded $200,000 for her injuries.
, a steel junior coaster, a carousel merry-go-round, log flume ride
, about a dozen adult spinning rides, and a few kiddie rides. The township's residents were divided on whether or not to approve such a project. The potential for further traffic congestion was a major issue.
weekend, 1976. On November 2, 1976, township residents narrowly voted against the expansion. Once this proposal was voted down, Warner Brothers decided to shut the park down and sell the land. After the park closed, newspapers reported that several animal carcasses, including an elephant, had been left there to decay. Competition from Great Adventure, combined with poor management and the park's inability to easily expand, may have contributed to the demise of Jungle Habitat.
magazine, and on its website.
The 800 acre (3.2 km²) Jungle Habitat property, containing 26 miles (42 km) of paved roads, was purchased by New Jersey for $1,450,000 in 1988. The property, adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest
, is part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park
and is administered by Ringwood State Park
. In 2007, under the direction of Ringwood State Park, the Ramapo Valley Cycling Club (a chapter of the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association, also known as JORBA
) performed a massive cleanup of the park, with 70 volunteers contributing. Brush was cleared and two dumpsters of trash were removed. Today, under the management of Ringwood State Park, JORBA is building single-track trails designed for shared, non-motorized use (bicycle, equestrian and foot traffic only). Currently, there are five to six miles (10 km) of single-track trails on the land, with more being planned in 2008.
Negotiation is underway between West Milford and the State of New Jersey to lease the 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) macadam parking lot for recreational use. In recent years, the property been used to host West Milford township's Fourth of July celebrations (known as Thunder in the Highlands) under a special-use permit. In addition, a local bicycle shop also sponsors "Rumble in the Jungle," an annual mountain bike race. The area has become popular with dog walkers, mountain bikers, trail runners and equestrians.
West Milford, New Jersey
West Milford is a township in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 25,850.-History:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, was a Warner Brothers-owned theme park that opened in the summer of 1972, and closed in October 1976. By November 1972, the park had 500,000 paid visitors. The park contained well over 1,500 animals, a drive-through section and a walk-through section.
History
The park featured a drive-through safariSafari
A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists to Africa. Traditionally, the term is used for a big-game hunt, but today the term often refers to a trip taken not for the purposes of hunting, but to observe and photograph animals and other wildlife.-Etymology:Entering the English...
section, which allowed for wild animals to roam free and approach vehicles as they slowly drove through. Riders potentially could observe peacocks, baboons, camels, elephants, llamas, giraffes, and Siberian tigers in this section, either in their own cars or on board one of the available buses. Many of the animals would climb atop the cars, bringing them to a halt, and signs were posted along the route to warn visitors to keep their windows closed. Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags Great Adventure is a theme park in Jackson Township, New Jersey, owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corp., the world's largest amusement park corporation...
in Jackson Township, New Jersey
Jackson Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,816 people, 14,176 households, and 11,269 families residing in the township. The population density was 427.9 people per square mile . There were 14,640 housing units at an average density of 146.3 per square mile...
, approximately 100 miles (160.9 km) to the south, also had (and still has) a similar type of drive-through safari attraction.
The walk-through section was a small theme park which included a petting zoo
Petting zoo
A petting zoo features a combination of domestic animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, also called children's farms or petting farms, many general zoos contain a petting zoo...
, camel and elephant rides, snack bars, gift shop, reptile house, dolphin show, Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny
Bugs Bunny is a animated character created in 1938 at Leon Schlesinger Productions, later Warner Bros. Cartoons. Bugs is an anthropomorphic gray rabbit and is famous for his flippant, insouciant personality and his portrayal as a trickster. He has primarily appeared in animated cartoons, most...
and Friends shows including live Warner Bros. Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes is a Warner Bros. animated cartoon series. It preceded the Merrie Melodies series and was Warner Bros.'s first animated theatrical series. Since its first official release, 1930's Sinkin' in the Bathtub, the series has become a worldwide media franchise, spawning several television...
characters, and a small train station and ride-on train called Jungle Junction. The park did not have any amusement park rides, although there were plans to add them in the future.
Injuries
Shortly after the park opened, an Israeli tourist named Abraham Levy driving through the safari in a taxiTaxicab
A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice...
was attacked by two lions, bringing negative publicity to the park. In 1974, a woman was bitten by a baby elephant who had reached out of its enclosure with its trunk and grabbed the woman; she ultimately was awarded $200,000 for her injuries.
Problems
The park was plagued by problems, including reports of dangerous animals escaping into West Milford. Several of its animal residents had contracted tuberculosis and were euthanized. In addition, the increase in summertime and weekend traffic on West Milford's roads created problems for local residents.Future plans
Still, the park was profitable for its first several years. However, business declined gradually as it failed to attract repeat business without changing its attractions or adding new ones. In 1975, Warner Brothers proposed a $20 million expansion project to the site. The project would include a large wooden roller coasterRoller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
, a steel junior coaster, a carousel merry-go-round, log flume ride
Log flume (attraction)
Log flumes originally referred to a special construct used to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. Today, however, the term is also used to refer to an amusement ride consisting of a water flume and artificial hollow logs or boats...
, about a dozen adult spinning rides, and a few kiddie rides. The township's residents were divided on whether or not to approve such a project. The potential for further traffic congestion was a major issue.
Closure
The park opened as usual during the summer of 1976, with rumors of a big expansion planned for the summer of 1977. The park's last weekend in operation was HalloweenHalloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
weekend, 1976. On November 2, 1976, township residents narrowly voted against the expansion. Once this proposal was voted down, Warner Brothers decided to shut the park down and sell the land. After the park closed, newspapers reported that several animal carcasses, including an elephant, had been left there to decay. Competition from Great Adventure, combined with poor management and the park's inability to easily expand, may have contributed to the demise of Jungle Habitat.
Today
For years after it closed, the site's deteriorated buildings remained, and rumors of animals still roaming the property attracted curiosity seekers. Accounts of such explorations were published in Weird NJWeird NJ
Weird NJ is the title of a semi-annual magazine and two paranormal travel guides that chronicle local legends, hauntings, ghost stories, folklore and anything considered "weird" in the U.S. state of New Jersey....
magazine, and on its website.
The 800 acre (3.2 km²) Jungle Habitat property, containing 26 miles (42 km) of paved roads, was purchased by New Jersey for $1,450,000 in 1988. The property, adjacent to Norvin Green State Forest
Norvin Green State Forest
Norvin Green State Forest is a 4,365-acre state forest in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States, near the Wanaque Reservoir. The forest is accessible by foot only; it is part of the Wyanokie Wilderness Area and contains an extensive trail system built on old logging roads, several of which...
, is part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Long Pond Ironworks State Park
Long Pond Ironworks State Park is located in the community of Hewitt, in West Milford, New Jersey, United States. The park is known for its old stone walls, furnaces and other remnants of a once industrious ironworking community that now sits next to the swiftly flowing Wanaque River...
and is administered by Ringwood State Park
Ringwood State Park
Ringwood State Park is a 5000 acre state park in Passaic County in northeastern New Jersey, USA. The Park is located in the heart of the Ramapo Mountains in Ringwood. It contains the New Jersey Botanical Garden at Skylands, historic Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor, and the Shepherd Lake...
. In 2007, under the direction of Ringwood State Park, the Ramapo Valley Cycling Club (a chapter of the Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association, also known as JORBA
JORBA
The Jersey Off Road Bicycle Association is a mountain biking association in New Jersey, USA, founded in 1999. Their activities include trail maintenance, sustainable trail building, group rides and skills clinics. JORBA is a 501 non-profit organization. JORBA is an affiliated club of the...
) performed a massive cleanup of the park, with 70 volunteers contributing. Brush was cleared and two dumpsters of trash were removed. Today, under the management of Ringwood State Park, JORBA is building single-track trails designed for shared, non-motorized use (bicycle, equestrian and foot traffic only). Currently, there are five to six miles (10 km) of single-track trails on the land, with more being planned in 2008.
Negotiation is underway between West Milford and the State of New Jersey to lease the 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) macadam parking lot for recreational use. In recent years, the property been used to host West Milford township's Fourth of July celebrations (known as Thunder in the Highlands) under a special-use permit. In addition, a local bicycle shop also sponsors "Rumble in the Jungle," an annual mountain bike race. The area has become popular with dog walkers, mountain bikers, trail runners and equestrians.
External links
- Ringwood State Park. Official site.
- West Milford - Many still wrangling over Jungle Habitat site. 2006 article by Sharbai Rose about plans for the former park, online at the New York New Jersey Trail Conference site
- Warner Brothers Jungle Habitat. Personal memoir of a former worker at Jungle Habitat.
- Jungle Habitat. Personal blog post of memories and pictures of Jungle Habitat.
- Rumble in the Jungle bike race, sponsored by Town Cycle.