Actual Lesourdsville News

http://www.journal-news.com/hp/content/news/stories/2006/05/09/HJN051006couch.html

At this time, It's unclear of whats to become of the park. There is room for campsites behind Screechin Eagle without disturbing the park but I have no Idea of what the long term plans are.

Chuck

I don't know... but I think that banging sound you hear is the last nail finally being driven into the park's coffin.

Maybe he wants to make the campgrounds become part of the park like Knoebels. I always thought that Jerry wanted to keep the park but wouldn't open it until he could find the right people to operate it.

Yeah I know, it's wishful thinking at best but I really hate to think the worst right now.

If it re-opened, I'd go. I've heard nothing but great things about Screechin Eagle.
Good FlyingScooters are worth the trip by themself.

Honestly, If he wanted to make it work and keep the park, Fantasy Farm property is a must for this kinda plan. A 50-100 site campground isn't gonna do nothing for the bottom line but a 200-300 site might.

APPCO the owners of the FF property only use about a third of the property and have so for about ten years.

If he wants adaquite parking, Camper sales, The park and camping, I see no other choice.

I do however see this jeopardizing a sale of the park to a potential buyer but maybe making it more attractive to a potential operator.

Chuck, who's not giving up hope, Just not getting hyped up over what basically is NO NEWS about the park reopening yet.

Hmmm...How about integrating campsites into the park back by the flume and picnic grove, actualy inside the park in much the same way as the campground at Darien Lake?

Of course, for that to be attractive, the park would have to actually be OPEN, but that's a minor nigging point...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Niggling, perhaps? ;)

^ PRECISELY Dave's point...LOL! :)

Seriously, the park should remain intact....but Couch appears to have no REAL interest in operating the park, and the sizable investment in the camper biz would seem to indicate he's decided where to allocate his resources... :-/

On the plus side, it would APPEAR on the surface to have some decent synergies to have the park open as well. If no such luck is in store, PLEASE someone buy Eagle and relocate to someplace where it can be ridden. Like Anton, John Miller isn't building any more either...

Kent wanted Eagle but now he's aready bought one for Cypress

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rollergator said:
^ PRECISELY Dave's point...LOL! :)

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Its not often you get to niggle the misspelling of the word niggle, yes, this is true. :)

Hmm. Sounds to me more like he is getting rid of Lesourdesville Lake Amusement Park altogether to me. I hope I am wrong...I also hope that if he does that he at least sells the rides that he can.

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Thrillerman said:
Maybe he wants to make the campgrounds become part of the park like Knoebels.

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That would be a great plan, it's just amtter of convincing Couch of that. I still believe that he did/does have every intention of opening the park.

But his camper business is what brought him where he is, and it's going to take prescidence over the park. Also, I wonder if maybe he discovered once the purchase was complete just how much time and money it was going to take to get LL back in operating form...on a consistent basis.

I don't know, just thinking out loud. I hope the best for LL. Like many others, I grew up in that park, Screechin' Eagle was my first woodie, I saw a KISS tribute band there, and so many other memories. *** Edited 5/10/2006 10:05:06 PM UTC by Floorless Fan***

Word from Scott Fowler on americanaamuesmentpark.com is that it was always part of his plan to have the camping and service and the park.

So maybe it's not all for not. Maybe another park will rise from the ashes but IMHO he still must have a plan of group sales and advertising and a POP that truelly is POP.

Chuck

Got the reply from the reporter about the park possibly remaining.

This was the reply

Hi Charles,

I don’t think so:(
He plans to use that area for the RV camping grounds.
Thanks for inquiring,

Kiss it goodbye folks I expect auction news to come next..

Chuck

I have no words to express the sad.

DAMNIT...

Of all the recent coasters we have lost (or will be losing) losing the Screechin' Eagle will hit me the hardest. So many fond memories of my first SE ride in 1990. This is one damn good coaster!! You haven't had lap bar thigh bruises until you've ridden this woodie! It will be a true loss in the coaster world if it gets bulldozed.

Maybe it'll be relocated? The coaster has already been moved once...a second time is not out of the question. I can think of a handful of parks who would benefit from having it, like Bushkill.

I agree it's future looks dim but not all hope is lost ;)

Or a little park called knobles.

My guess is there is a serious time limit if someone would buy it, IMHO he wants the lake to open as a campground, NEXT SPRING if not before!

I seriously expect auction news within a couple weeks but the way the man operates It wouldn't surprise me to see it dozed tomorrow!

Im pissed as hell but whats that gonna get me other than thrown in jail. It's not worth it.

The man had several offeres with several plans that would have worked, IMHO he never gave it a fair chance.