The British evangelical charity Ark Alive has proposed to build a Bible-based theme park featuring Noah’s Ark. The vision is to bring the Bible to life in an entertaining way. It provides both Christians and non-Christians with opportunities to learn the Bible. Through interactive experience and activities, it guides people to Christ.
The founder of the charity and the project is a businesswoman named Andrea Webster from the Guiseley Methodist Church. Ark Alive Theme Park is being designed to be an all-year-round attraction. The main building will contain a "books of the bible" walkabout, worship area, retail and restaurant facilities and will lead out into the park through the Garden of Eden. The outside area will take the visitor through the Old Testament and back round through the New Testament. In the centre will be a life-size replica of Noah's ark and an outdoor events area.
According to Webster’s interview with Church Times, the scene will enable visitors to re-enact Bible stories such as those of Jonah and the whale, Christ walking on the water, and Daniel in the lion’s den. Other attractions include the land of the pyramids, a Galilee fishing port, and "biblical streets with the sights and smells of 2000 years ago".
The park will be more than a place for entertainment, but equipped with extensive facilities for education such as a church.
"For example we plan to create a Garden of Gethsemane, which will be a counselling area for adults only," Webster said.
The tentative location for the theme park is at Yorkshire, England and will cover around 50 acres. The estimated cost of the project is Ł144 million. Webster is currently pleading for donation from Christians through the official website www.arkalive.com.
Ark Alive is going to be the first biblical theme park in the UK.