Construction is set to start in September on new water slides at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari theme park in New York, US, with a funding contribution for the new rides having come from the state's economic development agency.

Empire State Development has awarded US$500,000 (€448,300, £414,000) from its Upstate Revitalisation Initiative, which Enchanted Forest will use to add three new water slides, including a four-lane, 300ft (91m) mat slide with loops to replace Serengeti Surf Hill, the current mat slide, and a 200ft (61m) speed slide with a drop launch pad to replace Killermanjaro and a 295ft (90m) speed slide with loops and a drop launch pad.

As well as demolishing the current rides, re-engineering and constructing the new slides, the expansion also includes re-engineering of water pumps and filtration equipment.

Work is expected to be completed for the start of June. Funding from Empire State Development comes with the expectation that the improvements will generate significantly increased tourist activity in the region.

Located in Old Forge, Mohawk Valley, Enchanted Forest Water Safari is New York's largest waterpark, with more than 50 rides and attractions. Rated number 17 in the world in TripAdvisor's 2019 Traveler's Choice survey of waterparks, the venue attracts around 200,000 visitors per year.

"It's a win-win for everyone, most of all for our guests and for the region," said the park's vice president and director of marketing, Katie Wojdyla. "Killermanjaro and Serengeti Surf Hill have provided millions of rides and memories to guests since 1988, and we look forward to continuing that tradition with our new rides."