Please visit the smaller parks

Hi!

This is really the planning time (for me anyway) for what parks to do next year. If you are on the way to a park, please make a side trip and hit a smaller park along the way. We saw three parks fail to open this year (Americana, Whalom, Raceworld). There are smaller parks that are struggling and could really use support. A benefit of these parks is that the lines are usually very short.

There is a list I found here:

http://history.amusement-parks.com/users/adamsandy/lookattraditionalparks.htm

Please visit one of these cool parks and help keep them around for us to enjoy. They really try to give you a great time.

Thanks for reading.

Bigkirby

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

I agree completely.  I am also planning my trips for next year and a smaller park will definatly be in the plans.  Last year on my trip to Kennywood I stopped by Lakemont on the way.  This was one of the most fun parks I have been to, it is not very crowded and Leap the Dips and the other rides are great.  I would highly recommend going to a small park!

I'll have to say my favorite three words again...

Conneaut Lake Park

:)

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AIM: Pritti Kittie

I have pink shoes :)

I do visit small parks, because I live in Denver and the only two I have are Six Flags Elitch Gardens and Lakeside Amusement Park, which are both very small, but if you are planning to come to Denver, visit Lakeside Amusement Park, it is a struggling amusement park, but one with a whole lot of characther not to mention a great wooden coaster, the Cyclone. Six Flags Elitch Gardens doesn't have a whole lot to offer, newer rides, but isn't in financial trouble at all, just lack of space.  

*** This post was edited by Denvers-coasters-suck on 11/28/2001. ***

The important thing is to visit them BEFORE they are bought out by MegaParks, Inc.!  There may not be as many rides, but the ones there are well-cared for, the parks are a lot cleaner, a LOT friendlier, and appreciate their customers.  I've visited many parks around the country in the past three years, and have NEVER been disappointed at a "traditional" park...
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the buzzer formerly known as gatorwoodie
Son of Drop Zone - PKI CoasterCamp I Champions!!!

Yeah, what the smaller parks can't offer in the high tech thrill department, they more than make up for in charm. Out of the ten parks I visited this year, I honestly can say that I enjoyed my time at the smaller parks (Walldameer, Conneaut Lake, ect.) just as much as the big ones (PKI, SFGam, etc.). I don't think that comparing the two groups is fair to either, but I definitely think they both deserve attention.

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"you're better off talkin bout your wack puma sneakers." -KRS ONE

*** This post was edited by chris on 11/28/2001. ***

I've got 3 parks for ya

Big Chiefs Carts and Coasters

Indiana Beach

Holiday World

Why?

DUH!!!

CCI'S BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Does CCI know how to make a bad coaster?

*** This post was edited by MagnumForce on 11/28/2001. ***

Did I catch wind of a rumor of Whalom possibly reopening or was it my overactive imagination?

Smaller parks are great. I seek them out before I seek out the latest greatest thingamabob at the large corporate themers. Cheaper, you don't have to devote a full day to them, charm, wonderful rides and history.

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everything's better with a banjo

I agree about Conneaut and Waldameer. These are two "family" parks that offer something for everyone and each has their own specific charm. Waldameer's setting on Lake Erie gives the place a picturesque look, and the view from the top of the Giant Wheel is second only to CP's. Their water park isn't as big as some (no wave pool), but the attractions they do have are fun and are well-kept (i.e.- clean water). Add in some cool flat rides, a good Hopkins flume, and two dark attractions and Waldameer has become an annual tradition for me.

Conneaut has a charm all its own. It also has a nice peaceful setting alongside PA's largest natural lake and features a diverse selection of rides (including the best Tumble Bug out there and an awesome indoor scrambler) to keep everyone occupied. The ride ops also tend to give rather long cycle times on their rides.... which isn't always a good thing!  In addition, the park has decent food (including some of the best fries around) and a small waterslide complex that is included in the very low all-day admission price. It may be out-of-the-way, but it's well worth the drive.

The small parks are just a nice change of pace. You won't turn a corner and be bombarded with comic book characters or hear Looney Tunes music, or even see towering roller coasters, but I manage to have just as good of a time at these parks as I do at CP and the big boys. Free parking at many of them doesn't hurt, either!

ProgRay

I agree that small parks are definitely worth their while. Just in Pennsylvania we have a number of small parks, all of which are worthwhile (well, I haven't been to Bushkill yet, but I'll remedy that).

Actually the "small park" that's on my MUST DO list for next year is Vancouver's Playland, lest Coaster vanish forever. I sincerely hope it doesn't, but just in case, I want to make sure I've ridden it. I'm hoping to take a trip back to Seattle (which I consider a second home even though I haven't lived there in years) and hit Playland and the Puyallup Fair in a combined run.

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--Greg
"Beat the rush, sign up for your post-Mean Streak MRI now..."
My page  My other page  And my coaster page

I agree with everyone that it is important to visit the small parks. I grew up at Willow Mills Park(defunct) in Mechanicsburg PA riding the Red Streaker(Jr out & back,) and thats where my love of coasters began. We still have a few small park in the area, but they are becoming scarce to what they once were. I always make sure I visit Williams Grove at least 2 or 3 times a season. The only reason they stay afloat is local business having their company picnic there. We need to preserve as much history as we can, and if that means visit a small park instead of the chains then I am all for that.

http://www.coasterbuzz.com/parks/park.asp?ParkID=117

Family Kingdom, Myrtle Beach, some people need to come ride the Swamp Fox, it gets lonely sometimes. As well as the Pavilion, if it's a CCI that brings you in.
Both these parks have so few peeps in them at any given time you would think they weren't even at a tourist destination like Myrtle Beach.
Some small parks are famous for leaving rides wild, and I presume most classics at small parks have less new school restraining systems.......

Living in Oregon,small parks are all we have(so far).Any Coasterbuzzer visiting the Pacific Northwest in 2002 should put the PNE/Playland on their must do list,as Gregleg said,as the Coaster may vanish forever after that.If you stop in Portland,OR ,visit Oaks Park.The coasters there are small(Pinfari Looping Star,Miler junior)but Oaks could use a shot in the arm by your patronage.Who knows,maybe they might be convinced to build a CCI there.

Denvers-Coasters included SFElitch Gardens as a "Small Park." Small in size perhaps, but it does have the backing of Six Flags. I do not consider this in the same category as small parks such as Lakemont and Conneaught Lake.

Living only 20 minutes away, every year consists of at least 1 visit to Williamsgrove for me. Other small parks I have been to include Dutch Wonderland (recently bought by Hershey), Lakemont, and Old Town (though I sometimes hesitate to call the later a park... just a collection of flat rides and one small coaster to compliment their shops).

Looking to next year, the parks on my wish list include Playland (Rye NY), Canobie Lake, and Conneaught Lake. Would you consider Lake Compounce a "Small Park" (it is part of the Kennywood group, organization, or what ever)... its on the list too. Walholm was on (and will be on if it re-opens).

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"I wasn't always this cynical, but then I started kindergarden..."

Yes Lake Compounce is still a small park.  I would say come visit...once again to ride a a CCI masterpiece in Boulder Dash

Here is the scoop on Whalom Park.  The last I heard is that a couple of weeks ago a public auction was held at the park.  The park's present owners (who own I beleive 51% of the park) were trying to put together a team of investors including the same man who is trying to buy the Boston Red Sox.  They said in a local newspaper interview that they expect to buy out the remaining ownership and reopen the park in 2002.  As far as the carousel that was auctioned off, the park has bought back the structure and several of the horses have been donated back to the park by the people who bought them.  If you have never been to Whalom please stop by in 2002, the park has a 1940's out and back coaster as well as one of the last few operating tumble bugs left in the world.  They also 2 years ago reopened their ballroom where people such as Tommy Dorsey, Frank Sinatra, and Mickey Rooney have performed.

About the Denver parks, Elitch's is very small for a Six Flags but its as big as the parks around here get.  Lakeside isn't exactly struggling, the owner just doesn't spend money.  If the owner (I forget her name) put some money in to Lakeside it could easily run Elitch's in to the ground.

I will say that Lakeside has the coolest atmosphere of almost any park I've been to (excluding the old Elitch's of course.)

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Rotten Robin said:
If the owner (I forget her name) put some money in to Lakeside it could easily run Elitch's in to the ground.

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They should do that. Make SF take notice and add something new, or admit a defeat (would they operate a park at a loss?) then Lakeside would have no competition in the Denver area.

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Buckeye Lake's coming back! :)
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

This is a topic I had to bring up again. As we all know, and thank God about it, Americana is now back up and running, but it was not easy. It took $100,000 to re-track portions of the Eagle to get it going again. Imagine how much it would take to get the Flyer Comet open. since you have even worse winters in Mass.

Anyway, Please continue to visit these. Don't buy food at Burger King. Have lunch at the park. Buy a T-Shirt and some Ice Cream. Pay full price and don't complain. It is crucial that these small parks remain for years... for our children to enjoy.

An update from my previous post:

Looks like I am doing my part by visiting Small parks this year.

Visited Clementon Amusement Park yesterday, and have definate plans for Waldamere and Conneaut Lake next week during a trip to western PA. We also are planning on getting to DelGrosso's and Idlewild also this summer.