Lakemont Park

We have talked about the lack of attendance at Geauga Lake, Conneaut, but out of all the parks I have visited the last few years, Lakemont was the most desolate.

I have to say I had a really good time, too (well, the first 1/3 of the day was spent at Del Grosso's) .. but, Lakemont was certainly the least expensive park venture I have ever seen, EVERY ride was a walk-on... and the place still looked like a park in the evening, not a parking lot with iron and concrete unlit hulks for attractions (see GL). The place could use some better landscaping, I hear we have Boyer to blame for that... But I would really hate to see the place close. I have no idea what keeps them running. Every trip I have taken to Conneaut was 10 times more populated than Lakemont. (Probably true of GL, too, though GL is so large it gives the appearance of being abandoned)

Even with Lakemont's somewhat of a "carnival grounds" appearance due to over-removal of trees and vegetation in the Boyer days, it still has more of a park-like appearance than GL, paricularly at night. (Yeah, it even stayed open till dark!!!) Not late like 11, but still late enough to enjoy a few rides with the lights on.

A Lakemont employee told me the only day it gets "somewhat crowded" is "dollar day"... and how much profit could they possibly make off of ride all day for a buck? Plus, Altoona-ans have another park (Del Grosso's) 12 miles up the road if it were to fold... so, what keeps this place afloat? I hope it doesn't meet the same fate of so many other small parks!

Im pretty sure the park is owned by the same people who own the ball park next to the skyliner roller coaster. Ive been to four games there and the entire place was packed all four times. So my guess is that the Altoona Curve bring enough people in to the ballpark in order to sustain the amusement park as well. *** Edited 5/31/2007 11:03:32 PM UTC by phantomguitarist***

Lakemont Park is, perhaps, the biggest mystery in all of amusement parkdom.

It's a shame that most of it was destroyed during the Boyertown years (though I will give them credit for the Skyliner).

They seem to make small improvements every year but with the $7.95 admission, it will take a while for the place to totally shed its carnival in a field look.

There was a possibility that the park wasn't going to open this year because of the local construction. Anyone know what's going on there?

From what I've heard, the park has re-opened as usual. There will be a Ridefest in October the day after PPP at Knoebels again this year, too.

Its operated by the county and paid for by taxpayers I believe.

Lakemont never ever considered not opening. Yes, there is road construction. Will it affect business this summer? Yes. When the road widening project is completed in 2008, it will leave the 2009 season with a much easier access to the park, Galactic Ice, and the Ballpark at Altoona.

All of the above is on county property. All have long leases, including Lakemont, which will go decades into the future. Could the park be doing better? Yes. Are they running an efficent operation? You bet.

Is the park dead during the week? Same as most other smaller PA parks that have heavy picnic business. Ralph Albrano (sp?) Brothers Developement own Lakemont Amusements LLC, which is the 'business proper'. They do not own the Ballpark, nor the Altoona Curve, which is a AA farm clube for the Pirates.

---

millrace said:

It's a shame that most of it was destroyed during the Boyertown years (though I will give them credit for the Skyliner).

---

What did the "brain trust" behind Boyertown claim when dismantling the old Lakemont... something like "when we are done, the only old thing left in the park will be the dirt?"

I think that's what I remember hearing. And that was after they promised to leave much of the old park intact.

What's amazing is that Leap the Dips survived.

---

Agent Johnson said:
Lakemont never ever considered not opening.

---

At Ridefest last year, he (the owner? I wish I could remember his name) was talking to the group of ACE'rs during the provided dinner and said there was a possibility that the road construction could prevent people from getting to the park. He also said they were trying to work with the city, but that there was no guarentee. IIRC He stated that if the park couldn't open, that they'd use the year to do extra work to the park that they wanted to do, but otherwise didn't have the time to do during a regular season.
*** Edited 6/1/2007 1:16:30 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

LTD must have been too expensive to tear down, kinda like how Clementon doesn't want to spend the money to remove the Jack Rabbit.

Well, good news, then. My son and I really enjoyed ourselves despite the barren feeling of sorts... I am glad to hear they are not in danger of extinction anytime soon.

It did, however, appear that Del Grosso's was kicking Lakemont's behind in the picnic draw (at least that day). Del Grosso's wins in the landscaping and food department... and I suppose the water park, too (we aren't really into the water side much so I can't be that great of a judge on that aspect).

I would strongly suggest that trip for anyone, it was a great day, able to do both parks with multiple, multiple rides (walk ons at Lakemont all day and night) since we went on a Thursday. I think we rode the Skyliner 13 times!

Skyliner is a nice ride. And as far as Leap the Dips goes, how many other coasters do you know where the ride op has to manhandle your car onto the chain lift?

You must have never been to Cedar Point in the early 90's when the Mine Ride had 4 trains running, and the staff would push the trains out of the brake runs after rain to keep the action flowing.

^So this whole "Cedar Point running things in the rain even though it's not safe" thing isn't new, eh? ;)

In my day there, it took a lot to shut a major ride down. A lot.

kpjb, do you remember the days of 3 trains on the T-bolt and the jack Rabbit? Good times.

---

Ensign Smith said:
Skyliner is a nice ride. And as far as Leap the Dips goes, how many other coasters do you know where the ride op has to manhandle your car onto the chain lift?

---

Funny, I was just at Quassy and they had to push the mouse cars onto the lift. Is this the same for that first turn on all Herschell Mouses?

^^Nah, but I could do it! :)

How about Devil's Den at Conneaut Lake... I've also seen quite a bit of "manhandling" on many fair rides.

---

Vertigo said:

---

Ensign Smith said:
Skyliner is a nice ride. And as far as Leap the Dips goes, how many other coasters do you know where the ride op has to manhandle your car onto the chain lift?

---

Funny, I was just at Quassy and they had to push the mouse cars onto the lift. Is this the same for that first turn on all Herschell Mouses?

---