Hillcrest Park, gone after 2003

Although the Napha.org site is not up (at the time of this writing), someone on RRC has reported that a Napha (National Amusement Park Historical Association) Newsflash reports that Hillcrest Park located near Chicago will be closing after the 2003 season. Hillcrest Park is a private picnic park. Here are some links with photos:

Hillcrest Park is home to (was home too?) a Herb Schmeck PTC kiddie coaster.

View from air (AOL registration required)

Edit: The RRC post was finally archived in Google Groups: http://groups.google.com/groups?dq=&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&group=rec.roller-coaster&selm=v0cis17l534f82%40corp.supernews.com

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My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
Woodencoaster.com
The World of Thrills

*** This post was edited by bigkirby on 12/22/2002. ***

This is quite sad news. While checking on rcdb.com I noticed that the price of an outing starts at $200 for weekdays. Maybe we could get a group together and have an outing with some ERT in the spring or possibly summer?

It would be nice to celebrate this coaster one last time...

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Corey
"I make it a rule never to get involved with possessed people. Well, it's more of a guideline than a rule." - Dr. Pete Venkman/Bill Murray

*** This post was edited by rOLLocOASt on 12/22/2002. ***

i have personaly been to this private club and it is very cool.

i used to work for the guy who delivers the pool chemicals and the last time i was there the park seemed to be needing some serious TLC. most notably the narrow gage railroad needed paint and the cars needed to be put back on track. the most interesting part of that railroad is the tressle bridges that it crosses. with some time and around 250,000 this park could become a popular with large picnic outings again.

i will get ahold of my old boss and find out some more info on this. then ill get back to everyone

ondrew

edit : the get together sounds like a good idea

*** This post was edited by ondrew hartigan on 12/22/2002. ***

That would be cool if we got a petition started asking SFGAm to buy the coaster from HCP, but they probably wouldn't do that and the coaster might not survive relocation. Oh well, just a thought.

*** This post was edited by SFGAMNUT9302 on 12/22/2002. ***

What is the exact reason for the park closing? Its kinda weird they already planned to close the park at the end of 2003.

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Mike
Favorite Wood: Viper at SFGAM,Shivering Timbers
Favorite Steel: Magnum and Raging Bull

This is a sad, sad day if this is true. I truly hope a park (even maybe Little A-Merrick-A) will relocate some of the rides especially the roller coaster if they do close permanently.

Here is to hoping we could try to get an ACE or Coasterbuzz event there in 2003.

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My website - Zero G Thrills

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