Boulder Beach expansion underway

ATHOL — Silverwood Theme Park announced Monday its expansion of Boulder Beach is well underway.

The theme park is developing 3.86 acres that will consist of the first dueling water coaster on the West Coast, as well as a large food pavilion, kid slides with a splash pad and another restroom.

“Guests have flocked to our water park each summer for a variety of reasons," Stephanie Sampson, Silverwood’s public relations manager, said in the announcement. "Maybe they were hoping to meet with friends on fun ground, beat the heat or make core memories with their families. But there is no doubt that in 2024, they are headed our way to experience what’s new!" 

After announcing the new $15 million Emerald Forest addition to Boulder Beach in August 2023, Silverwood’s team has worked to transform the aquatic playland. Sampson said the water coaster is assembled, the new cabanas are taking shape and finishing touches are being placed on the large food pavilion.

“We’ve spared no expense in an effort to get this expansion to open on time," Sampson said. "We promised our guests that Emerald Forest would open in 2024, and even though it has been challenging to stay on schedule, our team is dedicated to making that happen.”

Eagle Hunt, the first dueling water coaster on the West Coast, will be able to put through 720 riders per hour. Each lane will be 925 feet long. The tower will be 50 feet tall, but the cumulative drop will be an adrenaline-spiking 91 feet.

This will not only be the longest water slide in all of Boulder Beach, but it will be the longest water slide in the nation, the Silverwood announcement said. Another feature that will make it unique to the property is its eagle theme and race-against-the-clock capabilities.

Silverwood has plans to improve efficiency with the new food pavilion, officially named Rapids Grill. This grab-and-go location will be expected to serve 1,200 guests per hour, helping with food wait times and the overall guest experience.

“I think that the best part of all of this is that we really have included everyone in this thought process," said Jordan Carter, Silverwood's director of marketing and entertainment. "When planning this expansion, we listened to the feedback of our guests and by adding the food pavilion, a kid slide area, more cabanas and another slide, we are getting everyone’s needs taken care of.” 

Silverwood expects to employ 2,000 workers this season.

The 2024 season will open Saturday, commencing Silverwood's 36th anniversary weekend. To celebrate, all general admission will be $36. All youth/senior tickets will be $19.88.

Moms will gets in free when a family purchases tickets online or at the front gate during Mother’s Day weekend, May 11 and 12. Everyone will receive a special pricing of $44 for general admission and $27 for youth/senior admission.

Kids Weekend will be May 18 and 19. For every general admission ticket purchased that weekend, one youth (ages 3-7) will receive a free ticket to Silverwood. General admission will be $44 and youth/senior admission will be $27.

All military personnel, veterans, police officers, firefighters and EMS will receive free admission to the park May 25-27 during American Heroes Weekend. Immediate family members also receive a discounted rate — $60 for ages 8-64 and $40 for youth/senior when purchasing tickets at the front gate.

Boulder Beach will open in June.

Info: silverwoodthemepark.com

    A rendering of the kid slides that are being built as a part of the new Emerald Forest at Silverwood's Boulder Beach. Silverwood will be open weekends starting Saturday.