Photos courtesy grand canyon northlande

Theme Park Central
By Laurie Davies

Five different theme/adventure park proposals are jockeying to make the Valley of the Sun the new “Happiest Place on Earth.” Here’s a look:

? A group of dream weavers hopes there will be a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on by 2014 at the proposed 240-acre, rock ’n’ roll-themed Decades Music Theme Park in Eloy, halfway between Phoenix and Tucson off Interstate 10. www.decadesusa.com

? Also in Eloy, plans for a 450-acre movie-themed park called Old Arizona Territory has flown under the radar, catching even city officials by surprise.

? In West Phoenix, Grand Canyon Northland Amusements and Entertainment is looking toward a possible spring 2009 groundbreaking on The Zones, a 60-acre park that would bring snow sports and surfing to Phoenix. www.grandcanyon-northlandthemepark.com

? In Florence, south east of the Valley, creators of the proposed 350-acre, Arizona-themed Coyote Canyon Theme Park aim for a groundbreaking this fall. www.coyotecanyonthemepark.com

? In Mesa, golfers still stinging over losing Riverview Golf Course may have to exchange that driver for diver gear if Mesa Waveyard opens in 2011 as planned. www.waveyard.com