The iconic Santa Monica Pier is already home to the world’s first solar-powered Ferris wheel. It now can add the world’s first wind-operated amusement park game to the list.
Officials with Pacific Park said Tuesday that they have installed a game — the High Striker — that runs on power captured by a 600-watt turbine affixed to the top of an adjacent building.
The High Striker is the classic amusement park game featuring a mallet which players use to hit a pallet that sends a puck racing to the top. The goal is to have the puck hit a silver-plated bell.
The game is completely powered by the turbine, including chaser lights with more than 100 bulbs, multiple spotlights and a sound system.
“The adaptation of the High Striker to wind power is another step forward in meeting our goal to lead the industry and the city of Santa Monica in green initiatives,” Jeff Klocke, director of marketing and sales at Pacific Park, said. “We have long showcased the world’s only solar-powered Ferris wheel as an innovative environmental effort. The High Striker is a further testament to the park’s commitment to sustainability.”
Pacific Park was awarded “Excellence in Stewardship of the Natural Environment” in 2010 at the annual Sustainable Quality Awards presented by City Hall, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and nonprofit Sustainable Works.
Pacific Park continues to add green initiatives, such as replacing all light fixtures in the park, discontinuing the use of bottled water, providing employees with reusable bottles and mugs and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products, Klocke said.
The park is Los Angeles’ only free admission amusement park, offering 12 amusement rides and 18 midway games.
