When you think of taking a trip to an amusement park what comes to mind? I think of rides and games, but mainly it’s the thought of sinking my teeth into cotton candy, hot dogs, gigantic soft pretzels, slushies, and ice cream that really gets me going. If you are like me and love to gorge on fair food you may want to ponder what some amusement park owners are doing at their sites this summer. They’re going healthy.
When Rye Playland in New York opens this week guests will be seeing some drastic changes—the introduction of a healthy menu and a ban on smoking. County officials ordered changes to the park’s menus this season in an effort to wean customers off full-sugar soda, high-fat chips and other unhealthy snacks.
The park’s manager tells news reporters that he didn’t put up a fuss and says he is happy to do his part to fight childhood obesity. That said the park’s restaurants will now be using non-trans-fat oils in their fryers. In addition, the health kick is also being extended to the vending machines scattered throughout the property. For example, the park’s ice cream vending machines have been replaced with machines that offer frozen treats like frozen fruit bars. Snack machines have also been converted to lower-calorie and lower-fat options, such as Baked Doritos and pretzels. Also, soda machines now offer more diet options and water. And, say bye-bye to the standard 32-ounce drinks offered at food stands, they’ve been replaced with 22-ounce servings. Finally, all smoking will be banned inside the gates of the amusement park this year.
HAPPY HYBRID OWNERS
Hybrid owners have another reason to smile. In addition to saving big bucks on gas, drivers of hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles now get preferred parking at Boston Logan Airport. According to news reports, the airport is setting aside about 100 parking spaces that are close to the elevators for hybrid owners to park their vehicles. Preferred parking for environmentally friendly cars will be available in two of the airport’s garages.
Taxi drivers with hybrid cars are also getting preferential treatment—the airport is allowing them to get in front of the line twice in a 12-hour shift. Taxi drivers say they typically wait 30 to 60 minutes in the taxi line. The new moves are part of the city’s efforts to encourage operators to buy more hybrid or alternative-fuel cabs.
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