Ondaparque
Posted by: 
Torgut
N 38° 39.257 W 009° 13.563
29S E 480331 N 4278437
A water park in Lisbon area.
Waymark Code: WMA84X
Location: Lisboa, Portugal
Date Posted: 11/30/2010
Views: 21
July 1993. In a tragic day, two children playing in a water park called “Aquaparque” (Restelo, Lisbon) are sucked into the pipes system and die. In the sequence of the case authorities unleashed an inspection campaign focused in dozens of similar spaces all around the country. By then water parks were on a boom in Portugal. Most of them were victims of the Aquaparque incident, not only due to following strict enforcement of security rules but also to the generalized fear which hit the Portuguese population.
Ondaparque, located in the north bank of Tagus river, about 20 km far from Lisbon was one of the water parks who couldn’t face the crisis. For my generation Ondaparque was a reference. It was a usual weekend destination for my high school mates. I never been there myself, as I was never fond of these spaces. But I was aware of the importance of Ondaparque. Anyway, the abandoned structures are still there and as far as I know there is no solution on sight. Apparently the area will be as it is for the forthcoming years.
You can easily hear the “ghosts” of thousands of youngsters there. Socializing, flirting, having the time of their lives. From there to Costa da Caparica, the main beach area serving the population of Lisbon, it’s a short ride and many people were combining both in a single weekend day.
To get there you should take the motorway leading to Costa da Caparica. These are the best coordinates to park your car and explore around: 38° 39.257'N 9° 13.563'W
The most direct way to get to Ondaparque is by crossing private grounds. I don’t foresee any troubles by doing so, but if you feel uncomfortable, you can walk around (direction NW) and enter from the upper hill.Either way I strongly advice you to walk up the hill, as the views from there are impressive, both to the whole water park complex and to the oceanic coast.
Date Park Closed: 01/01/1993
Current Use or Function:
Just abandoned as it was.
Is the park still there?: Yes
Date Park Opened: Not listed
Address: Not listed
If not, what is in its place now?: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
You must post at least one original picture at the posted coords to post a visit log for this waymark. Extra points if you are in the spirit of the park (i.e., in costume, etc.).