Defunct Park: Cascade Park, New Castle, Pa

I finally made my way to New Castle today to visit Cascade Park, which closed in the early 80's. The park is still open as a community park. The building which housed the carousel still stands, the original entrance, as do many footers to their coaster, the Comet. We then drove to a different location where the old trains to the comet and the old tumble bug cars are being held at, and was lucky enough to get close enough to touch :) I'd have taken more photos, but it was quite chilly, and I wasn't sure how much longer my batteries would hold out.

Pics are here

Enjoy!

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AIM: Pritti Kittie

Great pics, Jess! So sad to see our former amusement parks in Western PA in such horrible condidtion. Thanks for the update on it though!

Nice pics. I got to get out there this summer. im getting my drivers licence this summer :)

Call me crazy but I thought that defunct parks werent open to the public.

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Roller Coasters or sports? I guess there are questions nobody can answer!

Defunct usually means that it's not around anymore.

There's several shells of stations,buildings,and various other stuff that they haven't (yet) destroyed. It's a community park now. THIS is what should have happened to Idora park. The amusement park is gone, but the land is still appreciated by everyone :)

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AIM: Pritti Kittie

Seeing those trains and tumblebug cars makes me cry! Who owns those trains, and if they're not being used can't they be refurbished and/or donated to ACE for their museum?

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

The remnants of the rides are owned by (from what I'm told) Barletto, and the rides are rotting in the lot of their steel mill in New Castle. It was such a sad site to see... If need be, I'll take a tumble bug! It'll look nice in my living room :)

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AIM: Pritti Kittie

Well its nice that cascade park isnt full of vandilism done by teens. (Im a teen, Ahhh!) But Im not a stupid one who would set things on fire or vandalise things

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Roller Coasters or sports? I guess there are questions nobody can answer!

These abandoned rides are always sad. Why couldn't we get organized and rescue some of those rides, restore them to mint condition, and advertise for a park that would allow us to donate the ride to it and come in once a year and keep " our " ride properly maintained by painting, etc. Some of the smaller parks, like Waldameer, Camden, Idlewild or Holiday World might be open to such a proposal.

I'm from New Castle and have visited Cascade Park many many times (our family reunions are all held there, as well as many volunteer functions with which I've assisted), and I am just as sad as anyone that the park is not still running as a ride park. However, it still serves an important purpose in New Castle's local character as a community park, with a swimming pool and playgrounds and picnic pavilions. The town's "Back to the 50's" is held there as well as many other community events. There also used to be a mini golf course, but I was saddened to see it razed on my last visit home.

Besides, if it would've kept growing as a ride park, it would've run out of room eventually anyway. (hehe, SPACE PROBLEM) and also, it's a bear to walk up and down all of those hills all day long...

-Natalie
Neshannock High graduate, class of 1999

anyone know for sure, they LOOK like the old NAD trains to me....

My research says that the Comet was built by IAD, is that the same company?

Natalie, I was informed that the swimming pool has been closed due to repairs, and the city won't pay for them. So.. time will tell...

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AIM: Pritti Kittie

yes, pretty sure NAD (Nat'l Amusuement Devices) became IAD (Int'l)....IAD, if memory serves, built Colossus at SFMM......

The old Comet trains are indeed NAD trains.

Swimming pool must be newly closed, it was open in August when I went. Oh well, we were members at the Neshannock pool instead anyway (yes, snobs, whatever)

-Natalie