Help save Whalom Park

Posted | Contributed by themeparkne

Whalom Park, one of the nation's last standing showcases of classic amusement attractions, is up for auction later this month. The Bowen family, who has had controlling interest in the park since 1935 is leading a group of investors to make a bid on the park at an upcoming auction. In order to beat out other developers who want to level the park and build houses, the Bowens have set up a fund for enthusiasts to purchase whales to help save the park from going under.

Visit www.savewhalompark.com for more information.

Related parks

Whalom Park

I know sometimes we get focused on the newest, latest, and greatest from Intamin, B&M, Arrow, etc., but our history is important. Having been to Whalom the year before it closed I can see the park has a lot of potential and it would be a shame to lose it. I am definitely buying a Whale and I hope anyone else who can does so as well.

Can't they build houses on either side of the park property instead of on it? I agree, history is very important. Hopefully Americana and Whalom will be running full swing next year. I don't want to loose two more wood coasters. It's exciting to see so many coaster websites linking to the Save Whalom site. I saw the link on Joyrides, Coasterville, and I put it on mine. But what are the Whales? Are they like tickets saying you made a contribution? (I saw they can be used as a ticket if it opens) I think I'll buy one.

-------------
CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

One more question, how did the Bowen family loose control of the park?

-------------
CP! Still the coaster capital of the world in 2002!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

As I recall, it happened when they were forced to look for financing to open one year. The only collateral they had was the park. That in itself was not unusal in this business, in fact it was standard operating procedure in the old days. When the operation doesn't make enough to pay back the loan, however, the creditors come in and take over.

it's going on my site too

I happen to live 10 min from Whalom and have been going there since I was a kid. This park needs to be saved for future generations. There may not be any "major" attractions or any huge coasters but what other park can boast of an original Tumble Bug (one of only 3 in the world), a 1920's ballroom, an original Whip, and a walk through fun house complete with a spinning barrel. Oh yeah they have a 1940's Herbert Schmek wooden coaster complete with tunnel as well. Save Whalom!!!!

Not to nitpick or anything, but the Flyer Comet coaster is not a Herb Schmeck design. It is actually something much more rare- a Vernon Keenan coaster (designer of the Coney Island Cyclone). If I am correct, the coaster is one of three Keenan designs still standing (the others being the Cyclone and the SBNO Lincoln Park Comet). The design was based upon a design for a coaster for the 1939 Worlds Fair, and features a layout very similar to that of the SFNE Thunderbolt.

Buy those Whales, not often does an opportunity like this come along- the actual chance to help save a park from destruction. Take advantage of it, and if we are successful, we can all take comfort in the fact that our enthusiasm did something monumental.

I'm covering the ongoing (and delayed) auction of Whalom Park for the local newspaper in Lunenburg and found this sight while doing research. I'm looking for anecdotes about the coaster, thoughts on the park, etc. Feel free to email me directly at tmunkacsy@yahoo.com or post here. The auction was rescheduled to 2/15.

You must be logged in to post