Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park
Adventure-park warriors, get ready to rumble at Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park in Portland—an action-packed water playground that is not your typical water park. “We're an interactive sports facility,” says Sean Hayes, a scuba diver who developed the facility he co-owns with brothers Ed and Frank. “These aren’t just thrill rides,” he adds. “Every activity requires physical exertion.” We’ll say it’s definitely one of the most exciting places to cool off during the dog days of summer.
The 29-acre park, now in its fourth year, is nestled in a brownstone quarry—now a National Historic Landmark. Stone from the quarry was long used in building projects all over the world, until 1936, when extensive flooding of the adjacent Connecticut River filled the quarry with water.
Fast-forward to 2006, when Hayes, who used to practice scuba diving in the quarry, decided to recreate an old-fashioned swimming-hole experience here, where 100-foot-walls surround water 100 feet deep. The temperature of the first 10 feet of water gets to about 80 degrees; the bottom stays a cool 39. So how about a cliff jump? Rope swings, floating trampolines, inflatables called icebergs and launchers are all part of the fun. Thrill seekers climb a rope ladder up to a 70-foot tower, where they are clipped to a zip line and then jump to slide across the water at lightning speed and a splash landing. Snowboarders, take note: The park is the only facility in New England to offer winch-cable wakeboarding. And who needs snow when you can fly across the water on a board at 25 mph? Lessons are included at no charge. Scuba equipment and kayak rentals are also available, or bring your own. Another great challenge: Climb up a 65-foot rock wall (climbers are belayed) and then jump from the top to ride a 1,000-foot zip line across the quarry. Or do a little team building with your workmates on a “Survivor”-style obstacle course. After all that, sit back and relax on your own floating gazebo.
Open daily through Labor Day; weekends through October. Visit website for special events.
For more info, call (866) 860-0208 or visit brownstonepark.com.
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