Whalom Park's future in jeopardy

There was an article a few weeks ago in the Lunenburg paper saying that the park was pretty much ready to go for the 2002 season and the Bowens had investors.  Now we hear this.  I'm confused.

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Erik Johnson
Theme Park New England
SFNE 2002: Bigger is not always better. *** This post was edited by themeparkne on 12/2/2001. ***

The Rollercoaster at Whalom Park was the first one I ever rode.  I was around ten or twelve years old and I rode it many times that day.  I also remember riding the Whip Tumblebug, Ferris Wheel, and the race cars.  They were unique because they were on a single lane with guard rails (or maybe it was hay bales) on either side.  There was no central guide rail like on most antique/race cars I was used to at the time, and it was like really driving a car for me.  I also remember a fun house with a rolling barrel and, of course, the carousel which has already been auctioned, sadly. 

I haven't been to Whalom Park in about eighteen years, although I live only thirty minutes away.  To me it always had an image of being run-down and struggling.  I moved on from my first rollercoaster rides at Whalom to "bigger and better things" with trips to most of the great theme parks in the east.  However, as I read the Boston Globe article I remembered my times at Whalom Park and the family friend, who died this past year, who took my sister and I there.  I read the article and whished that somehow they could save the park and restore those great old rides. 

I am left with pleasant memories, but I also have a feeling of sadness because I am part of the problem.  I don't want to see the park close permanently, but I haven't been a supporter of it for a long time, and I am probably a customer of whatever big box store will be built on that property. 

-gardener14

I hope for the best. Hopefully they can put the power struggles aside and keep the park there. It's the investor's greed that got it closed.
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Buckeye Lake's coming back! :)
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
WoodenCoaster.com

This is really sad news.  I was planning on getting up to Massachusetts and New Hampshire next summer to visit Canobie Lake and SFNE, with a scheduled stop at Whalom.  This just goes to show you... take advantage of what you have, because tomorrow, it may be gone.  I had more than ten years of "coaster enthusiast" years to make the 1/2 day drive to Whalom and never did it, shame on me.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for both Whalom and Americana this year, as the summer of 2002 seems like a "do or die" summer for both of these struggling traditional parks.

Balance old stuff with society's needs? Give me a break. The LAST thing society needs is another Wal-Mart. Raze an important and integral part of the community to put up yet another contribution to the faceless "nowhereville" USA.

Lack of developable land? Poor babies. What do they expect? The earth to expand?

Time and time again, the things we enjoy and places we have a connection to are destroyed and lost and for no good reason at all. Why do we do this? Rip apart the most cherished parts of our communities only to replace them with something that nobody likes except for the priveleged few who go laughing all the way to the bank.

People are nostalgic for the picture book Norman Rockwell Main street but I doubt anybody will ever be nostalgic for a suburban commercial highway strip.

The whole thing disgusts me.

"It's a small price to pay to insure the American Way. It could be a national crisis if some land's un-subdivided. We all love urban sprawl so we gotta use it all. Use it all, Use it all. Fill it up with McDonald's and strip malls. Won't remember what we've lost if we use it all." Sally Shuffield - Use it all.

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everything's better with a banjo *** This post was edited by millrace on 12/3/2001. ***

Millrace: The answer to all of your questions is money. I'm not saying that's a good reality, but nevertheless it is the reality we live in. I share your frustration.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Is the Flyer Comet a good roller coaster?

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Paramount Carowinds: Forgotten but not Gone

I know it's better then no roller coaster :)

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everything's better with a banjo

Regarding Whalom Park, I have to say that I agree perfectly with Millrace's comments. Well said, and may the park be able to re-open and be successful.

I hate to hear this stuff....Jeff? is there a way we could possibly set up a pay-pal account to help the park out? Even if we all gave a buck it would help a bit.

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 or post here.  The auction was rescheduled to 2/15.