originally posted on 9/10/2021
Photo: Sarah Windisch. View full-sized image.
Over the summer, concerns have been mounting about what has transpired at Conneaut Lake Park under its new ownership. Information from those in the area have reported the owner is unapproachable and makes decisions on a moment’s notice. He has had various salvage and demolition companies visit, which is of gravest concerns. He has been termed “secretive.” His responses to any discussion on the park have often been met with silence or abusive language.
Photo: Mark Rosenzweig. View full-sized image.
Photo: Howard Gillooly. View full-sized image.
The tracks for the miniature train have recently been removed. The Tumble Bug, which some felt could be operable once again, was not saved after all. The motors and track were scrapped. Pete Owens of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives made attempts to obtain a car for preservation, but the vehicles had been randomly sold.
As the news became more dire, ACE put out a press release on September 2 to help raise awareness of the situation:
IMMINENT DESTRUCTION OF CONNEAUT LAKE’S BLUE STREAK ROLLER COASTER FEARED
American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world's largest amusement enthusiast organization, joins the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) in being deeply concerned regarding the future of historic Conneaut Lake Park and its 83-year-old Blue Streak roller coaster. The manner in which the park has conducted business this summer, including the removal of many longtime rides and structures and no transparent communication, has been most troubling to the park's supporters.
Blue Streak is an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance. While there are well over 4,000 roller coasters in the world, only 45 have been designated as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark. It is among the 20 oldest existing roller coasters in North America and only one of two remaining designed by world-renowned designer Edward Vettel Sr. Additionally, Blue Streak is just one of 30 roller coasters in the world that qualify as an ACE Coaster Classic, an award reserved for rides that provide a truly pure, traditional roller coaster experience.
Photo: Lee Wollenberg. View full-sized image.
Conneaut Lake Park has a long history of overcoming obstacles, with each being met and overcome with a collaborative approach backed by a desire to keep Conneaut Lake Park as a community asset and one of the premier family destinations in Northwest Pennsylvania. Conneaut Lake Park is one of just a few remaining elite historic lakeside amusement parks in the country. Two of its counterparts, Arnolds Park (Arnolds Park, Iowa) and Indiana Beach (Monticello, Indiana), that share many similarities with Conneaut Lake Park — such as a quaint lakeside setting, a long history and classic wooden roller coasters — now thrive as the key business generators in their communities, after being threatened with closure in the not-so-distant past.
Conneaut Lake Park supporters have invested handsomely in the facility over the years. Individuals from the regional community and afar, as well as local businesses, corporations and nonprofit organizations such as ACE and PHMC, have continually made contributions to keep the park viable. ACE alone has donated over $30,000 to the restoration of Blue Streak and was instrumental in obtaining a $50,000 grant from Pepsi. Despite dealing with ongoing tax obligations of owners from decades ago, in recent years, nonprofit entities — despite limited budgets — have successfully operated the park and proved that a functioning, historic amusement park can serve as a true beacon for attracting visitors to the area.
ACE implores the ownership of Conneaut Lake Park to reconsider the historic nature of the park and Blue Streak and how both can fit into various models for the future of the property. Likewise, ACE strongly urges PHMC to hold the park's ownership accountable for complying with any and all covenants and restrictions to which it is legally obligated. Lastly, ACE and its 6,000+ members from around the world encourage the residents of Crawford County to demand that the community asset that is Conneaut Lake Park be restored to the greatest extent possible.
Photos: Ken Riling-Brewton. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Following the release, the matter became more known through social media channels and was picked up by local television. Petitions have been started that concerned individuals can sign.
— Compiled from contributions by Elizabeth Ringas, Richard Munch, Jimmy Titko and Bill Linkenheimer III
Photo: Richard Koppelman. View full-sized image.
@#$%&!
#ACENews