Most Endangered: What do you...

Reading about the demise of Pontchartrain Beach in New Orleans and thinking about the loss of Opryland here in Nashville, made me wonder something. What park(s) and coaster(s) do you think are highest on the most endangered list? What do you think is next to go? I know it isn't fun to think about but perhaps if we do, something can be done now to save these parks and coasters from the wrecking ball. Any thoughts?

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Nashville needs a theme park!

probably Playland in Vancouver B.C. - they have held off closing for the past several years and although they talk of relocating the park, Coaster will not go with it. I always fear that Conneaut Lake will soon close forever. It's come close in recent years. And of course, LeSourdesville Lake (aka Americana) has no plans to reopen, does it? I haven't heard anything lately. All these parks have wonderful coasters and I am glad to have ridden them. I also think about the many I missed during the 70's when I could have easily ridden them (Ocean View, Lakeside, Buckroe, Idora, West View) makes me sick to think about it.

I definitely think Conneaut Lake and LeSourdesville Lake are at the midnight hour. I'm going to be amazed if Conneaut opens in 2004. I also suspect Camden Park and Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom are on their way down the slippery slope. They'll open next year, but I wouldn't bet on 2005. KK has the advantage of the national corporation to bail it out, but Six Flags is in financial trouble, so it may choose to cut its losses. All these parks were already in trouble, and this bad weather season has been crippling. KK getting the new coaster was its big hope, but the weather foiled that.

Wow that's interesting to think about SFKK being on the most endangered list (and I don't mean that in a good way either for all you detractors). It's the closest SF to me being about 2 1/2 hours away. I wouldn't want to see it go personally.

Also, I'm wondering what's up with LeSourdesville Lake too. I've never been there but would like the chance to hit it along with PKI on a weekend. Always heard good things about their coaster.

I think in the off season we can spend some time investigating how to help these parks. Maybe someone here knows how to establish National Historic Registry for endangered coasters.
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Nashville needs a theme park!

SFKK isn't on any endangered list. That's b.s. and nothing more.

The ones that were already mentioned- Conneaut and LeSourdsville Lakes are probably the most uncertain right now. I think that they might hang on for a few more years, but unless they get sold to someone dedicated to making changes, I don't think that they'll be around too much longer. Camden seems to be making small but steady improvements, so I have a better feeling about that park now then I did a few years back. I'd be more concerned about Arnold's Park in Iowa, as they always seem to run into trouble...

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

Id say americana will be around for a bit....... Itll just keep getting smaller and smaller until its nothing. It seem's like people buy it wanting to be the family place and not worry about profit then they dont do things right and lose money, then try to hurry up and sell it. I havnt ridden any of the roller coasters there. I havnt been there in like 3 years and that was b4 i really became a big coaster buff cause of migraines.

I am pretty confident that Americana/LeSourdsville will reopen. Jerry Couch made a sizeable investment and I don't see why he would just let it decay and fall apart. True, I don't know the whole story of the management problems that prompted the park's early closure in 2002 but I can only guess that Mr. Couch was getting screwed by the management team and opted to put a stop to it.

Camden Park may have been on the brink of closure a few years ago but it really seems to have bounced back. The owners seem to take great pride in the place and improvements are continually being made. The last few years have seen several new attractions: new bumper cars, Skydiver, Swan boats, Kite Flyer, as well as many cosmetic improvements. The park was always fairly busy during my visits.

Conneaut is probably the most troubled but they have a lot of community support (which can really make or break a park - look up the Arnold's Park story sometime!). The park is also owned by a public trust which is pretty good insurance that it won't be turned into condos.

The best thing to do if you enjoy a particular place is to visit it and encourage others to visit. Help spread the word to people who may not be aware of it but who you think would enjoy it. Convey your enthusiasm to others and help them to learn to appreciate these places as much as you do. Photographs and well-written trip reports can inspire others to visit, especially if they are posted in places other than enthusiast message boards where the readership consists of a more general audience who may not always be aware of the park or it's unique and possibly historic atmosphere and background.

Defunct, local amusement parks are always fondly remembered and tragically, not really appreciated until after they are gone.
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Ripple Rock Amusement Park
Flying Scooter coming soon!
*** This post was edited by millrace 9/3/2003 12:37:09 PM ***

Well put... if you want a park to stick around for a long time, then support it. Visit it, recommend it to your family and friends, post positive (but still truthful) information about it so that others will sit up and take notice... don't pass on by LeSourdsville on your way through Ohio to Kings Island!

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-Rob
A.C.E. member since 1990
Posting @ Coasterbuzz since 2000
E.C.C. member since 2002

I also see Camden Park on the endangered list. Financial problems in the past, this small park is barely making enough to keep it's gates open, not to speak keeping the rides operatable.
*** This post was edited by HarryTraver 9/3/2003 6:02:53 PM ***

Thrillerman1:

Where were you reading about the demise of Pontchartrain Beach? I'd be curious to read anything about the demise of my childhood amusement park.

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Rob Ascough said:
don't pass on by LeSourdsville on your way through Ohio to Kings Island!

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I don't think I've ever read anything on Coasterbuzz that I've agreed with more!

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- John, who is going to own Screechin' Eagle and the rest of LeSourdsville some day
Homepark: Cedar Point
Home-away-from-homepark: Paramount's Kings Island

Jim Fisher:

Scroll down and read the message titled: "20th Anniversary of Pontchartrain Beach's Closure". Also read the similar thread on the message board at www.SFNO.com.

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Nashville needs a theme park!

Moves Dorney's Hercules from the "Not Even Considered Endangered Coaster" list to the "On Its Way to Extinction" list. Sad.
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Nashville needs a theme park!