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Harbour Park

Previously known as Butlin's Park (1932–1977) Smart's Amusement Park (1977–1994)
Harbour Park logo
Location	Littlehampton, West Sussex, England
Coordinates	50°48′12″N 0°32′29″W / 50.80346°N 0.541323°W / 50.80346; -0.541323
Opened	1932
Owner	Gary Smart (father), Wes Smart (son), and Ash Smart (son).
Slogan	"Where the FUN will never set!"
Operating season	March – October (outdoors) All year (indoor parts). Check company website for ride open dates.
Area	approx 9,600 square metres (0.0096 km).
Attractions
Total	14
Roller coasters	1
Water rides	1
Website	harbourpark.com

Harbour Park, formerly known as Smarts, is a children's amusement park in the coastal resort of Littlehampton, West Sussex, England, which has rides open seasonally, check their website for ride opening dates. Opened in 1932, it is situated on the beach, adjacent to the working Harbour & Marina. The park features traditional rides plus other modern attractions and is aimed at primary school children and families.

History

The park was started in 1932 by Billy Butlin on the site of the old east bank fort and windmill It was easily spotted from a distance by the presence of a large roller coaster on the roof known as "The Wild Mouse". Early pictures of this can be viewed in the West Sussex past pictures archive reference numbers PP/WSL/PC005524 & PP/WSL/TC001729. A picture of the old site prior to construction is also available reference number PP/WSL/PC005512.

During the war the park closed from 1941 to 1945, and the building was used for storage and the gathering of troops going overseas. The building suffered bomb damage during that time; but was repaired and reopened after the war as part of the Butlin's Empire, which was later purchased by the Rank Organisation.

In 1977, the park was bought from the Rank Organisation by the Billy Smart Circus family and was renamed Smart's Amusement Park. They set about re-equipping it into a family amusement centre with a selection of indoor rides, including a hall of mirrors

In 1994, the current owner, Gary Smart oversaw a sizeable redevelopment of the site. The name changed from Smart’s Amusement Park to the contemporary Harbour Park, which reflected the theme running throughout the site and its unique location on the seafront and riverside. Over the next few years, major works were undertaken and the final phase was completed in the year 2000. The roller coasters were removed during this time.

Harbour Park entered the new millennium with a new look, whilst managing to retain the Smart family values of providing a friendly, fun and entertaining family venue. In fact, Billy Smart still watches over the park in the form of a magnificent bronze statue located in the main building.

2007 saw another major investment of £750,000 including the addition of a log flume. Supplier DPV Rides of Italy developed a water ride that would feature a 6.5 metre drop, inside a 34×14 metre footprint.

In 2009, the indoor artificial skating rink was replaced by the soft play area.

Attractions

There have been a large variety of indoor and outdoor rides and attractions. Some of the rides are described at the Roller Coaster DataBase (RCDB).

Refreshment Areas

• A maritime themed Galley Restaurant & Tea Rooms (serving tea the old-fashioned way with real leaves)
• The Harbour Coffee House, which offers a selection of hot and cold food, and frothy hot chocolate with marshmallows
• The Riverside Parlours serving hot fresh doughnuts, ice creams, and other light refreshments.

Gallery

• Entrance to the Main Building from the East
• Rear west side of the giant slides
• The Galley Restaurant
• Bronze statue of Billy Smart that stands inside Harbour Park
• The Harbour Park Waltzer (Now Whirlpool Waltzer)
• The Carousel (Former)
• The Castle Slide
• Seamens Club Arcade
• Formula one circuit ride
• One of the indoor rides (Note: This ride is now outside, next to the little kids racing circuit.)

References

1. http://www.mylittlehampton.co.uk/history.html A brief history of Littlehampton
2. http://www.harbourpark.com/pages/Harbour_Park_History.php Archived 13 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine A history of Harbour Park
3. http://www.rcdb.com/4863.htm Roller coaster database
4. http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/438/Harbour_Park.html Archived 6 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Park World online article on the 2007 investments
5. Caterpillar Coaster Info on RCDB
6. "Details of the Waltzer". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.

External links

• Official website

• Amusement parks in England
• Littlehampton
• Tourist attractions in West Sussex
• Arun District
• Butlins
• 1932 establishments in England