Opening Day at Conneaut Lake Park
Kelly
favorite place and things are going great!
After the storms that we've had lately, it was nice to see the sun
clearing the fog away this morning just in time for Conneaut Lake Park's
first full day of operation. I was on the road by 10:00 am for the
almost 2 hour drive, which was quite pleasant this morning. I arrived at
11:50, just in time for the christening of the Kaylee Belle, the new
paddle wheel on the Lake. While not a true paddle wheel (2 gigantic
engines power this boat), it's nice to be able to cruise around the Lake
again. Rumor has it that the Barbara J will be back on the Lake again
this summer, also.
The Park looks great, thanks to the many volunteers who have been there
the past few weeks. The Round Up, the Train and the Tumble Bug were the
only rides I noticed not running. The Blue Streak was running great, but
was down once during my visit. There's a lot of new wood and a new cable
on the curve, which is still in its stretching stage.
One thing I have to say is that the employees all looked really sharp in
their new uniforms (light blue shirts and khaki shorts or slacks) and
they were very polite and more business like than I've seen in the past.
Hopefully, this will continue throughout the season.
The Brick by Brick campaign has raised $26,000 so far for the Train.
George (Deshner) received a better quote (originally it was $56,000 and
is now down to $39,000) and work will begin next Tuesday. They are
confident the Train will be up and running by July 4th. They are waiting
for bearings for the Tumble Bug, but hope to have it up and running in a
few weeks. The best news I was sworn to secrecy about 2 weeks ago, but
can now break my silence. The Park is getting 2, possibly 3, new rides.
The Scrambler that was in the Ultimate Trip building bit the dust (along
with the building [more on that later]) and is being replaced. They have
also acquired a Chance Rok-N-Roll. Both rides should be installed on the
Midway in about 2 weeks. The 3rd ride - There is a very good possibility
that the Park will be acquiring Lesourdsville Lake / Americana's Whip.
This is not a not deal, but initial contact has been made and things are
being worked out.
As everyone knows, the Ultimate Trip building, which was once the Fun
House and originally the rebuilt bowling alley in 1909, has seen better
days. George is fighting to save this building. Steel rods have been
placed to pull the exterior walls back to their original position. The
roof needs fixed and the floor needs to be jacked up, but he's bound and
determined to keep it standing and usable. He would also like to rebuild
the building that used to sit where the Round Up now sits. Supporters of
the Park have had to roll with some pretty stiff punches in years past,
but I think the right man is in charge now. I just hope we can keep him.
This was a great day at Conneaut Lake Park - one of many to come for years!
Thanks for reading!
Kelly
Olympic Park Fan
relocated Whip running there. A Chance Rok-N-Roll (a newer version of
the Looper) is a good addition and the park should keep with that motif
of 40s-60's ride. Let's see if they can be successful and if they are
then let's get them to purchase some Eyerly rides (Rock-O-Planes,
Loop-O-Planes, Roll-O-Planes, etc.) a caterpillar (Hershell or newer
version) and maybe another wood coaster :)
Mike Strong
I hope to visit Conneaut again this year and ride the Blue Streak. I
was there last year, and hoped last year would not be the last time it
was open.
When I visited Conneaut Lake years ago, I recall a dark ride called
"Dracula's Cave" at the part. Do you remember this ride, Kelly? I
believe it was in the same building that became the Ultimate Trip ride.
This was during the period where Conneaut Lake had three "dark ride"
type attractions.
1. The Devil's Den
2. Dracula's Cave
3. The Hellhole
I also recall Conneaut having a Wild Mouse coaster back then which is
no longer there.
darkr...@yahoo.com
Cuddle-Up ride, now the bathhouse for the water slides.
Hell Hole was not a darkride, it was (supposedly) one of three Rotor
type rides imported by Morgan.
The park also had an Old Mill ride in the early 1900's and a Pretzel
ride that was roughly where Skee-Ball is today.
Devils Den came to the park in 1968
http://www.dafe.org/attractions/darkrides/conneaut/devilsden.htm
Prior to the Ultimate Trip, the building was the funhouse from
1961-1975, but was built as the bowling alley in 1909. The park had
several other funhouses in the past as well.
It would be nice to see a Whip return to the park, especially if it
could occupy the location of the old one.
I would hate to see the bowling alley/funhouse building disappear. The
removal of the other old Expo buildings was a terrible thing in my
opinion and changed the appearance of the park for the worse.
Is there anything we can do to help save the funhouse building?
Rick
Ricky Summersett
if it was running or not but it was there, I believe it was a Schiff.
One thing I do remember then is that the old train was sitting rotting
in the station. They said they used to use it for oiling the track (not
riders). Now that the older train has been restored to running
condition I would love to get back and ride again.
Ricky
-Salvation-
-Jesus-
Mike Strong
Thanks for all that info, Rick! I was right about a Dracula's Cave
being at the park, but incorrrect about some of it's specifics.
I also didn't know that Conneaut Lake had an old mill ride! Too bad
they don't have that anymore
KeRu60
was my first (and last time) I visited CLP. Little did I know that
would be the last season for the mouse. Glad I rode it!
Ken
Kelly
Yes, thank you, Rick. I was a little late discovering Conneaut Lake
Park, and a lot of the older things were already gone. I have trouble
visualizing where some things used to be. As far as helping with the
building, I don't know, but can find out.
Kelly
Mike Strong
I hope you have also "discovered" Waldameer, Kelly. Since it's so close
to Conneaut Lake I mean.