Theme Park coming to Williams May 2010 (Phoenix, Sedona: city hall, credit, construction)

[exlexisnexis]

Wow what a surprise, I never even heard this was on the drawing board.


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WILLIAMS - It looks like bears, wolves, mountain lions and buffalo will likely be moving back into the hills above the city of Williams. According to developer Sean Casey, the Bearizona theme park is expected to be up and running in its first phase by May 2010. The park will be located near the Highway 64 and Interstate 40 junction on a parcel of land previously owned by the Keethler family.

[Boompa]

I wouldn't get too far out ahead of this one

[KarmaPhx]

A drive-thru themepark? Sounds boring.

Does this have any relation to the other themepark that was coming to Williams?

[Zonie5]

since i go to Williams often i would go there at least once to see what it is all about . other than that i don't hink so . i have a feeling that it will be rather chincy , much like the alligator farms down south .

[autism360]

I really hope that this is a professional theme park and encourages others to invest in the area. Arizona loses millions of tourist dollars each year from Grand Canyon visitors who have nowhere to spend their money after visiting the canyon, so they head straight to Vegas
.

[Ritchie_az]

Doesn't sound much like a "traditional" theme park at all, but a "North America" version of Out of Africa.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park, Arizona's Wildlife Theme Park, A Sedona Area Attraction

[Searcher521]

I recently visited Out of Africa located near Camp Verde and was impressed with the facility and habitats they have constructed. This is an improvement over the low desert site east of Phoenix where they used to be located but I think maybe still not ideal for some of the animals. I think an area at a higher altitude like Williams would be better although I am not convinced confining North American wildlife for tourists to gawk at is a great idea. Maybe it could be sort of a rescue for animals that would otherwise be destroyed.

[exlexisnexis]

Gee this park could be a big deal it is modeled after Bear Country U.S.A. park which is very successful in South Dakota

Developers for the planned Bearizona theme park in Williams faced a hurdle at the recent meeting of Williams City Council, held Oct. 22 at city hall. That hurdle came as council members questioned impact fees for the proposed animal park in the form of credits that would be applied for portions of construction in and around the park, including water lines, road construction and more. Council members questioned whether or not they would set a precedent in crediting the fees.
The Bearizona project, which has already broken ground, is expected to open in May of next year under the first phase of operation. Construction and additions to the park will continue following the opening, according to developers. The park will be located on a parcel of land formerly owned by the Keethler family near the Highway 64, Interstate 40 junction. Casey and other family members operate Bear Country U.S.A., located in South Dakota. That park, according to Casey, is one of the top four attractions in the area. The proposed Williams park will be similar in concept, but is not affiliated with the Bear Country U.S.A. park. More on Bear Country can be found online at

Bear Country USA Drive Through Wildlife Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

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[exlexisnexis]

The proposed Williams park will be similar in concept, but is not affiliated with the Bear Country U.S.A. park

It also looks like the Williams Theme park may still happen based on the quote from this excerpt from the Williams News article and so if both Theme Parks get built Williams could be quite the entertainment area!!!!!!!!!