originally posted on 8/21/2020 10:52:01 AM
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Now 118 years old, Leap The Dips likely wouldn't still be around today were it not for ACE. Until 1985, Lakemont Park and Leap The Dips were operated by Blair County (Pennsylvania). While the county still retains ownership of the land, the operation of the park became a private endeavor. After a failed attempt by the local Boyer Candy Company to create a theme park to compete with Hersheypark, the park fell into the hands of local businessmen in 1988, who continued to maintain it in a modest manner for the community to enjoy. The status of Leap The Dips sadly became "standing but not operating" in 1986. It may have been forgotten about had then-ACE Treasurer Ray Ueberroth not made numerous attempts (and trips to Altoona) to meet with local officials to impress upon them the historical significance of the ride.
These photos by Chuck Davis were taken in 1981, showing operation of Leap The Dips before its standing-but-not-operating status. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The National Parks Service agreed that it was historic. In 1995, after years of research and compiling accurate information, ACE Preservation Director Tom Halterman submitted paperwork [ npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset?assetID=5ebb5d6c-39ac-430e-b9c6-ba21392a19ea] that led to Leap The Dips being placed on the National Register of Historic Places and thus becoming what is commonly known as a National Historic Landmark, in 1996.
Photos: Elaine Linkenheimer. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Thanks to the perseverance of Ueberroth (ACE president 1990-1994), a local organization, Leap The Dips Preservation Foundation, was formed in 1994 with the intent of restoring and operating the coaster. Both inspired and encouraged by Ueberroth, this author joined that organization's board of directors in 1997 and made at least one four-hour roundtrip a month from Pittsburgh to Altoona for meetings and other events over the course of five years. Much fundraising was done, grants sought and a business plan prepared that resulted in a sizable bank loan to restore the coaster. None of that would have been possible were it not for ACE’s fundraising and donations that raised well over $100,000 for the effort. Without ACE’s support and financial assistance, the loan and eventual restoration wouldn't have happened. After 14 years of dormancy, the ride reopened in 1999, and in 2002 Leap The Dips celebrated its centennial. ACE was proudly on hand for both events, and, as well, Lakemont played cohost to ACE's "Ultimate Preservation Conference" in 1999.
During its nonoperating years, foliage actually grew up within the structure.
ACE Archives Photo. View full-sized image.
Leap The Dips is seen here undergoing restoration in 1998.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Leap The Dips was celebrated at the Ultimate Preservation Conference in 1999.
Photo: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
Eventually, Leap The Dips Preservation Foundation, having accomplished its mission, turned management of the coaster entirely over to the park in 2005, which was already handling the maintenance and day-to-day operation. With a second generation at the helm, in 2016, the park owners announced a unique vision for the park. Lakemont would sell off most of the flat rides and add batting cages, volleyball courts, basketball courts and a second miniature golf course, turning it into a community park that was a hybrid of a recreation facility, family entertainment center and amusement park.
What was supposed to be a one-year closure for the park turned into two. And when the park finally opened with its new format in 2019, Leap The Dips wasn’t ready. The other rides that remained include Skyliner (a John Allen coaster moved there from Roseland in 1985), go karts, antique cars, a miniature railroad, a Herschell kiddie coaster, paddle boats and a large 4x4 kiddie ride. The small waterpark also remain. As unusual as this combination of activities seemed to be, they came together well and the park looked good. Skyliner opened in mid-summer of 2019, but Leap The Dips never did, and many enthusiasts understandably cast doubt on the future of the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. ACE’s sources, both within the park and externally, were all confident that it would reopen and that it was just a matter of time, so many remained optimistic.
Although some parks in western Pennsylvania chose to remain closed for the unusual 2020 season, Lakemont opened in early June (opening in phases) and, lo and behold, after a three-year hiatus and amid a global pandemic, Leap The Dips reopened somewhat unceremoniously on Friday, July 3. Lots of work was done to the structure and track. The station, structure and cars have all been painted. A gift shop that was added to the left side of the station house in 1999 has thankfully been removed. The retail revenue back then was nice, but the station is now opened up as it was intended to be.
Leap The Dips reopened in 2020.
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
Photo: Joel Brewton-Riling. View full-sized image.
Leap The Dips continues to operate in its classic manner, with wood skid brakes controlled by a wooden brake handle by an operator sitting on a fixed wooden chair. The cars get pushed out of the station by hand. The transfer track and process of changing cars is all powered by human strength. The button that turns the lift chain on and off is the only electronic device that is part of the ride. Sitting in a Leap The Dips car remains akin to sitting on a comfortable love seat.
Andrea Cohen, a member of the ownership family, serves as president of the park and seems to have an excellent understanding of the historical significance of Leap The Dips. She made it clear to ACE that it was important that the coaster received the attention it needed to finally open this year, and she is committed to keeping it going, even though it’s not necessarily a money maker. Given such commitment, along with financial challenges that a shortened 2020 season brought with it, it’s fitting that ACE’s Executive Committee awarded a $10,000 gift from the ACE Preservation Fund for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the ride.
A simple 28-second video [ www.facebook.com/AmericanCoasterEnthusiasts/videos/3145786978848643/] of the ride’s transfer track in action was shared on ACE's Facebook in early July, and to the surprise of ACE’s social media team, it has been seen by over 27,000 people. Who would have thought a video without a coaster in action (point of view, simulations, etc.) would attract so much attention!?
What’s better than watching a video of the coaster is taking a ride, which is literally a throwback to 1902, as the ride experience is remarkably exactly the same. Enjoy this special experience for yourself. The coaster is currently operating Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 8 p.m. For information, visit www.lakemontparkfun.com.
— Bill Linkenheimer, ACE Western Pennsylvania Regional Representative
Photo: Bill Linkenheimer III. View full-sized image.
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