Theme Park Opens in Alabama

A $40-million theme park with rides, a water park, shopping and restaurants opens Saturday on 70 acres in Bessemer, Ala., 16 miles southwest of Birmingham.

Visionland was built by 11 area cities that banded together as the West Jefferson Amusement and Public Park Authority, according to spokeswoman Kalyn Chapman-Roller. “It’s not a religious park per se” she said, although it was named after the biblical saying: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). The park was the brainchild of Fairfield Mayor Larry Langford, who views it as a way to provide “safe, family fun” and bring tourists to the area, she added.

The park’s centerpiece is a 3,500-foot-long wooden roller coaster. General admission is $21; reduced rates for children and seniors. Information: tel. (205) 481-4750.