Cool Off at Portland's Brownstone Exploration and Discovery Park

The owners and operators of the park say they're trying to pack as much fun that can fit into 29 acres of water. That's the size of a brownstone quarry filled with water from the nearby Connecticut River.

The Brownstone Discovery Park on Brownstone Avenue has activities that include scuba diving and training, rock climbing, wakeboarding, zip lines, kayaking and jumping on giant floating inflatable toys. Oh, and yes there is plenty of space for plain old swimming too. 

Sean Hayes, one of the principal owners, stood on the sand near the water and pointed out what was unfolding across the park. The park was bustling with activity with an estimated 900 visitors according to Hayes.  

Asked about the scuba diving, Hayes said "they get here first thing" at 8 a.m. and so "we open up the gates early for them." The divers, who include pros such as public safety officers, leave by noon, he said. The experts lead divers to explore submerged wrecks including a bus and boats.  

A number of vistors were kayaking, and Hayes said kayaks can be rented or people can bring their own. All of the people in the park were wearing bright yellow life jackets. According to Hayes they are mandatory for all, and there is no charge. There are lifeguards and staff on duty spread out across the activities. The park also can enroll people to learn and get their lifeguard certifications. 

Hayes says they've doubled the number of zip lines from three to six. These are long cables and once staff members get visitors securely strapped into a harness, they are launched from a tower or high place and sail along above the water. The harness makes a screaming noise as the person moves along, descending to the water. 

There are tandem lines in one part of the Park. Two people can try and race for 900 feet until they skim the water and come to a stop. Because of the life preservers and harness, the participants never totally submerge. The park will have four "dry zip lines" in the fall through October, where participants will never touch the water.

Park goers get to use one of the longest zip lines by climbing a tall wooden tower. It goes about a 1,000 feet along the front of the park at a shallow angle until the person makes a splashy touchdown at a controlled rate of speed. The tower users climb to reach the line, but it also has a lower level for those who want to jump into the long water slide

There is also wakeboarding, which is similar to snowboarding but those who take it on are tethered to an overhead cable for propulsion.  Wakeboarders can do some tricks and use a few short ramps.   

Rock climbing is available for beginners to experts. Newbies have to take a brief test to see if they can manage it. Lessons are also available for almost all the activities including kayaking. 

Other more casual activities include just jumping off floating walkways, or climbing up on small platforms and bouncing off 20 or 30 foot wide bags in different shapes. One toy was like a giant inflatable pool but much wider than a backyard model. Bathers jumped up and down in it, occasionally hopping into the water. There are also giant spheres made of clear tough plastic with red trim. Hayes called them gerbil balls because smaller kids get inside them and "walk" across the water.

Asked about attendance with the rain this spring and early summer, Hayes said the weather "hasn't been terrible" although "certainly worse than last year." He said it was nearly perfect last year, and it's hard to expect two years like it in a row. While he said the exact attendance figures are kept private, the estimate was 50,000 for last year. This year, they hope to reach 75,000. With that much business, the staff has expanded to almost 120. 

Hayes noted that the water level is three feet higher than it usually is at this point of the season. He said the park is only 500 feet from the Connecticut River. As the level of the river rises and falls, the water levels in the quarry work the same way. 

The high level of the river was a problem, Hayes said, because it delayed preparation of the peninsula, one of the few land formations above the water in the park. The peninsula is an area with benches, chairs and gazebos. It is an oasis that can be reached by walking across a network of floating walkways. Once you get there, patrons can enjoy snacks or a meal and relax in the shade of some trees that are growing there.   

There is a Snack Shack with an extensive menu featuring pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches, fruit and more. The Shack is open 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Grillied and cookout options are also available. Food prices run from $2.50 to $24.95. The more expensive grilled items include steak, chicken and lobster dinners. Water, soft drinks and energy drinks can be purchased at many locations.

Admission to the Discovery Park is $28 for a day, and $48 for a weekend pass. 

Every Friday night, there is a movie, with a $9 admission fee.

Training and certificate programs including scuba, rock climbing and kayaking are offered at rates that vary and must be scheduled.

Park hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 5. Sept. 6 until Oct. 30, the park will be open for group reservations during the week, and from noon until evenings on the weekends.  

There are two parking lots, with one on Brownstone Avenue, which can accommodate many cars, and a second one on Middlesex Avenue Extension on a hill above. There is a shuttle bus that gets people back and forth to the main lot.

The park can be reached for questions and sign-ups toll free at 866 860-0208. They also have a web site at brownstonepark.com.