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Parks have always looked to set the scene at the entrances to their
parks with
elaborate and beautiful landscaping. Quite often topiaries and other unique plantings
have been a key part of the entry plazas.
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For the 1976 season Great
Adventure relocated its entry plaza to a more centralized location just
off the park's main fountain. This new entry portal created two
new themed areas - Avenue of the States just inside the main gates and
Liberty Court situated between the ticket booths and parking lot.
The entire region was a patriotic tribute to America as it celebrated
the Bicentennial of the United States. As part of the new
Liberty Court, a large central planter was constructed with the park's
initials "GA" created in topiary on opposite sides of the
inclined mound of earth. |
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This massive central island of
greenery lasted for only four seasons before it was removed and replaced
with a new
smaller lower profile island which still exits today. The
smaller planter allowed for better traffic flow in and out of the park
as well as provided for a stacking area for patrons lining up at the
ticket windows.
A similar hill
planting was created at the edge of the parking lot. That topiary planting also featured the giant
"GA" letters for a while and was later changed to feature other
logos including the famous Great Adventure rainbow and Bugs Bunny's
head. |
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![](GAFeatures/GAPlanter/GAH%20MAY81%2030047%20copy_small.jpg) |
Prior to the entrance plaza's
recent resurfacing, the outline of the original planter could be found
in the concrete. Today the former site of the GA planter is home
to a much smaller planter which includes the park's main flagpole. |
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