Lakemont Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°28′18″N 78°23′44″W / 40.4717632°N 78.3954871°W / 40.4717632; -78.3954871
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{{Short description|Amusement park in Altoona, Pennsylvania}}
{{Infobox amusement park
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Lakemont Park
| name = Lakemont Park
| logo = Lakemont Park logo.png
| logo = Lakemont Park logo.png
| image = [[File:Skyliner01.jpg|200px]]
| image = [[File:Skyliner01.jpg|200px]]
| caption =Skyliner rollercoaster
| caption = [[Skyliner (roller coaster)|Skyliner]] roller coaster
| location = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]]
| location = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania|Altoona]]
| location2 = Pennsylvania
| location2 = Pennsylvania
| location3 = U.S.
| location3 = U.S.
|coordinates={{Coord|40.4717632|-78.3954871|type:landmark|display=it}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|40.4717632|-78.3954871|type:landmark|display=it}}
| homepage = http://www.lakemontparkfun.com
| homepage = http://www.lakemontparkfun.com
| owner = Cohen family
| owner = Lakemont Park Center, LLC
| opening_date = 1894
| opening_date = 1894
| closing_date =
| closing_date =
| previous_names = Boyertown USA
| previous_names = Boyertown USA
| season = Summer Season: May until Labor Day
| season = May to Labor Day
*Holiday Lights on the Lake: Friday before Thanksgiving until First Sunday in January (unless the first Sunday is the 1st)
| area = {{convert|60|acre|m2}}
| area = {{convert|60|acre|m2}}
| rides = 11
| rides = 8
| coasters = 3
| coasters = 3
| water_rides = 3
| water_rides = 6 – Currently closed
| slogan = Two Great Parks, Twice the Fun
| slogan = Two great Parks, twice the fun!
}}
}}


'''Lakemont Park''', located in [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]], houses the world's oldest-surviving [[roller coaster]], the [[Leap-The-Dips]]. On June 19, 1996, the roller coaster was added to the list of National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Service. The park opened in 1894 as a [[trolley park]] and became an amusement park in the summer of 1899. It is one of only thirteen [[trolley park]]s still operating, and the 8th oldest [[amusement park]] in the [[United States]]. The park was owned by the [[Boyer Candies|Boyer Candy Company]] from May 23, 1986 until July 1, 1988, when it was called '''Boyertown USA'''. The park was closed from 2017-2018, but re-opened in summer 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/after-two-summers-closed-lakemont-park-reopens-with-new-additions/|title=After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions|accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> The park is located next to [[Peoples Natural Gas Field]], home of the [[Altoona Curve]] [[Minor League Baseball]] team.
'''Lakemont Park''' is an amusement park located in [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]. The park opened in 1894 as a [[trolley park]] and became an amusement park in 1899. It is one of only thirteen [[trolley park]]s still operating, and the 8th oldest [[amusement park]] in the [[United States]]. The park was closed from 2017 to 2018, but re-opened in summer 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/after-two-summers-closed-lakemont-park-reopens-with-new-additions/|title=After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions|access-date=July 14, 2019}}</ref> It will be closed for the 2024 season.

Lakemont Park houses the world's oldest surviving [[roller coaster]], [[Leap-The-Dips]]. On June 19, 1996, Leap-the-Dips was added to the list of [[National Historic Landmark|National Historic Landmarks]] by the [[National Park Service]].


==History==
==History==
⚫
Lakemont Park opened in 1894 as a trolley park, and became an amusement park in 1899. It was donated to Blair County in 1937. It was privatized on May 23, 1986 when it was purchased by the [[Boyer (candy company)|Boyer Candy Company]], at which point it was called Boyertown USA. Although it was sold on July 1, 1988, it remained in continuous operation through 2016. The park was closed for the 2017 season, as many rides and attractions were undergoing maintenance. In 2018, Lakemont Park announced that it would remain closed for the season, with plans to reopen as a "family entertainment location with some amusements" in the summer of 2019. The park sold a lot of its former rides and attractions.<ref name="Lakemont to remain closed this year">{{cite web|url=http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/03/lakemont-to-remain-closed-this-year/|title=Lakemont to remain closed this year|last=Stephens|first=Kay|date=March 7, 2018|publisher=Altoona Mirror|accessdate=March 12, 2018}}</ref> It successfully reopened in the summer of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/after-two-summers-closed-lakemont-park-reopens-with-new-additions/|title=After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions|accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref> The park will not operate during the 2024 season due to a lack of funds for ride maintenance.
{{expand section|date=December 2014}}
⚫
Lakemont Park opened in 1894, was donated to Blair County in 1937, privatized in 1986, and remained in operation through 2016. The park closed at the beginning of the 2017 season, as many rides and attractions were undergoing maintenance. In 2018, Lakemont Park announced that it would remain closed with plans to reopen as a "family entertainment location with some amusements" in the summer of 2019. Lakemont indicated it is planning on selling most of the rides except for Skyliner, Leap the Dips, Antique Cars, Miniature Train, Paddle Boats, Indy Go-Karts, 4x4 Monster Trucks, Lil’ Leaper, and the Waterpark. <ref name="Lakemont to remain closed this year">{{cite web|url=http://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2018/03/lakemont-to-remain-closed-this-year/|title=Lakemont to remain closed this year|last=Stephens|first=Kay|date=March 7, 2018|publisher=Altoona Mirror|accessdate=March 12, 2018}}</ref> The park reopened in the summer of 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/after-two-summers-closed-lakemont-park-reopens-with-new-additions/|title=After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions|accessdate=July 14, 2019}}</ref>


Lakemont Park is also known for its 51-acre drive-through holiday light display, Holiday Lights on the Lake, which operates from November to January.


⚫
==Current rides and attractions==
[[Image:Lakemontparkrides.jpg|thumb|right|200px| The [[w:Sky Diver (ride)|Sky Diver]] in the background, with the German Swings in the front.]]
[[Image:Lakemontparkrides.jpg|thumb|right|200px| The German Swings, with the Sky Diver in the background.]]
Lakemont has numerous rides.
Lakemont Park has numerous outdoor attractions.


===Roller coasters===
===Roller coasters===
Line 42: Line 45:
|[[Leap-The-Dips]]
|[[Leap-The-Dips]]
|align=center|1902
|align=center|1902
|A wooden, figure-eight type ride with three, four-seat trains. Only two figure-eight type roller coasters still survive in the world. Leap-The-Dips features {{convert|1452|ft|m}} of track and is one of the few surviving roller coasters with side friction. The ride was closed for all but two weeks in 2005, because of maintenance. The ride was also closed from 1986 to 1998.{{cn|date=August 2019}}
|A wooden, figure-eight type coaster with three four-seat trains. Only two figure-eight type roller coasters still survive in the world. Leap-The-Dips features {{convert|1452|ft|m}} of track and is one of the few surviving roller coasters with side friction. The ride was closed for all but two weeks in 2005, because of maintenance. The ride was also closed from 1986 to 1998.<ref name="Restoration-Lehman">{{cite web |date=December 21, 2015 |title=Leap the Dips Roller Coaster |url=http://www.lehmanengineers.com/work/leap-the-dips-roller-coaster/ |accessdate=May 5, 2017 |publisher=P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., Consulting Engineers}}</ref>
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Skyliner (roller coaster)|Skyliner]]
|[[Skyliner (roller coaster)|Skyliner]]
|align=center|1987
|align=center|1987
|The Skyliner was relocated from [[Roseland Park]] in [[Canandaigua (city), New York|Canandaigua, New York]], where it was built in 1960. The move was to build up the park for the failed Boyertown USA project. This marks one of the few instances of a moved wooden roller coaster in the 80s. Skyliner today borders the outfield of [[Peoples Natural Gas Field]], home of the [[Altoona Curve]], next door.
|A wooden coaster. Skyliner was relocated from [[Roseland Park]] in [[Canandaigua (city), New York|Canandaigua, New York]], where it was built in 1960. It was moved to build up the park for the failed Boyertown USA project. This marks one of the few instances of a wooden roller coaster being moved.
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Little Leaper]]
|[[Little Leaper]]
|
|
|A standard [[Allan Herschell]] Little Dipper kiddie coaster. The park currently does not allow adult riders on this coaster, or anyone over the age of 12.
|A standard [[Allan Herschell]] Little Dipper kiddie coaster.
|
|
|-
|-
|}
|}


===Thrill/Family rides===
===Other family rides and attractions===
* Paddle Boats<ref name="lakemontparkfun">{{cite web|url=http://www.lakemontparkfun.com |title=Lakemont Park and The Island Water Park |publisher=Lakemontparkfun.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-25}}</ref>
* Paddle Boats<ref name="lakemontparkfun">{{cite web|url=http://www.lakemontparkfun.com |title=Lakemont Park and The Island Water Park |publisher=Lakemontparkfun.com |date= |accessdate=2013-03-25}}</ref>
* Tin Lizzy (Antique Car ride)<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
* Tin Lizzy Antique Cars
* Motorway [[Go-Karts]]<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
* C.P. Huntington Train
* Monster Motorway [[Go-Karts]]<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
⚫
* 4 Batting cages
* Lakemont Park Railroad<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
* 18 Hole Keystone Falls Mini Golf
* 18 Hole Rabbit Hole Mini Golf
⚫
* 4 Basketball courts
⚫
* 2 Volleyball courts
* Corn hole boards
* Horseshoe pits
⚫
* Walking paths


===Kiddie rides===
===Kiddie rides and attractions===
* Pony Carts<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
* 4X4<ref name="lakemontparkfun" /> Monster Trucks
* C.P. Huntington Train
* Kiddie Wheel<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
* Lil' Leaper
* 4X4<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
⚫
* Playground
* Kid's Mini Indy<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />


===Water park===
===Water park===
The water park closed in 2020 and has not opened since.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:79%"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:79%"
|-
|-
!style="width:13%"|Ride
! style="width:13%" |Ride
!style="width:8%"|Opened
! style="width:8%" |Opened
! style="width:8%" |Closed
!Description
!Description
!style="width:5%"|Ref(s)
! style="width:5%" |Ref(s)
|-
|-
⚫
|Pool
⚫
|Three Water Slides
|
|
|2020
|Must be 42 inches to ride.
|3 foot deep pool
|<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
|<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
|-
|-
⚫
|Three water slides
⚫
|Pool
|
|
|2020
|
|
|<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
|<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
Line 90: Line 104:
|Pirate's Cove
|Pirate's Cove
|
|
|2017
|Small Pirate Ship with Water Cannons and Palm Trees
|Small pirate ship with water cannons and palm trees
|<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
|<ref name="lakemontparkfun" />
|-
|-
|Treehouse Activity Pool
|2019
|2020
|Treehouse-themed pool with fountains
|
|}
|}


⚫
==Former roller coasters==
===Other attractions===
⚫
Like any amusement park that has been open for many years, some of Lakemont Park's roller coasters have been removed over the years for various reasons.
* Two mini-golf courses; one for younger children and one for older children
⚫
* Batting cages
⚫
* Basketball courts
⚫
* Volleyball courts
⚫
* Playground
⚫
* Walking paths


⚫
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
==Former attractions==
{{expand list|date=December 2014}}
⚫
Like any amusement park that has been open for many years, rides are removed for various reasons. Below is a list of some of these rides.

⚫
===Former roller coasters===

⚫
{| class=wikitable
|-
|-
!style="width:13%"|Ride
! style="width:13%" |Ride
!style="width:12%"|Manufacturer
! style="width:12%" |Manufacturer
!style="width:5%"|Opened
! style="width:5%" |Opened
!style="width:5%"|Closed
! style="width:5%" |Closed
!Description
!Description
!style="width:5%"|Ref(s)
! style="width:5%" |Ref(s)
|-
|-
|Gravity Road
|Gravity Road
|align=center|Amandus Sink
| align="center" |Amandus Sink
|align=center|1894
| align="center" |1894
|align=center|1897
| align="center" |1897
|This was a [[Switchback Railway|switchback railroad]]-style roller coaster, owned and operated by Amandus Sink. The ride was torn down in 1897, likely because Sink went broke after losing a hotel business in a large fire.
|A [[Switchback Railway|switchback railroad]]-style roller coaster built by Amandus Sink. The ride was torn down in 1897.
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Lakemont Park Is 25 Years Old Tomorrow. Popular Resort was Formally Opened on July 4, 1893, by Logan Valley Railway. |newspaper=Altoona Tribune |date=July 3, 1918 |page=12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plenty of Work Goes on Now at Lakemont Summer Fun Spot. |newspaper=Altoona Mirror |date=April 14, 1961 |page=16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=July 4 To Mark 60th Birthday Of County's Lakemont Park. |newspaper=Altoona Tribune |date=June 29, 1953 |page=12 }}</ref>
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Lakemont Park Is 25 Years Old Tomorrow. Popular Resort was Formally Opened on July 4, 1893, by Logan Valley Railway. |newspaper=Altoona Tribune |date=July 3, 1918 |page=12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Plenty of Work Goes on Now at Lakemont Summer Fun Spot. |newspaper=Altoona Mirror |date=April 14, 1961 |page=16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=July 4 To Mark 60th Birthday Of County's Lakemont Park. |newspaper=Altoona Tribune |date=June 29, 1953 |page=12 }}</ref>
|-
|-
|Twister
|Twister
|align=center|[[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]]
| align="center" |[[Philadelphia Toboggan Company]]
|align=center|1927
| align="center" |1927
|align=center|1935
| align="center" |1935
|Lakemont was once home to a [[Herbert Paul Schmeck|Schmeck]] wooden roller coaster named "Twister" from 1927-1935. This ride was destroyed in a flood on in March, 1936, before being removed a year later.
|A [[Herbert Paul Schmeck|Herbert Schmeck]] wooden roller coaster named "Twister" from 1927 to 1935. The ride was destroyed in a flood in March of 1936, and was removed a year later.
|
|
|-
|-
|[[Toboggan (Lakemont Park)|Toboggan]]
|[[Toboggan (Lakemont Park)|Toboggan]]
|align=center|[[Chance Rides]]
| align="center" |[[Chance Rides]]
|align=center|1991
| align="center" |1991
|align=center|2016
| align="center" |2016
|A portable Toboggan coaster. The ride features four single cars.
|A portable Toboggan coaster. The ride featured four single cars.
|
|
|-
|-
|Mad Mouse
|Mad Mouse
|align=center|[[Allan Herschell Company]]
| align="center" |[[Allan Herschell Company]]
|align=center|1993
| align="center" |1993
|align=center|2003
| align="center" |2003
|Closed in 2003 due to excessive maintenance.
|A steel spinning coaster. The ride closed in 2003 due to increasing maintenance needs.
|
|
|-
|-
Line 149: Line 158:


== Incidents at Lakemont Park ==
== Incidents at Lakemont Park ==
* On July 23, 1959, a twelve-year-old boy named Frank Vestri drowned in the water park swimming pool, despite a life guard being on duty.
⚫
* On September 2, 1991, a seventeen-year-old ride operator for the Little Leaper Coaster named Chris Whitfield got dragged away by the roller coaster and lost his right leg after it got mangled between the train and its track/chain. The accident was featured on the television series ''[[Rescue 911]]'' on September 29, 1992 on [[CBS]].

⚫
* On September 2, 1991, a seventeen-year-old ride operator named Chris Whitfield was injured by the Little Leaper coaster. He lost his right leg after it was caught between the train and its chain. The accident was featured on the television series ''[[Rescue 911]]'' on [[CBS]] in 1992.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 15:14, 7 February 2024

Lakemont Park
Previously known as Boyertown USA
Skyliner roller coaster
LocationAltoona, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates40°28′18″N 78°23′44″W / 40.4717632°N 78.3954871°W / 40.4717632; -78.3954871
Opened1894
OwnerLakemont Park Center, LLC
SloganTwo great Parks, twice the fun!
Operating seasonMay to Labor Day
Area60 acres (240,000 m2)
Attractions
Total8
Roller coasters3
Water rides6 – Currently closed
Websitehttp://www.lakemontparkfun.com

Lakemont Park is an amusement park located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The park opened in 1894 as a trolley park and became an amusement park in 1899. It is one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating, and the 8th oldest amusement park in the United States. The park was closed from 2017 to 2018, but re-opened in summer 2019.[1] It will be closed for the 2024 season.

Lakemont Park houses the world's oldest surviving roller coaster, Leap-The-Dips. On June 19, 1996, Leap-the-Dips was added to the list of National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Service.

History

Lakemont Park opened in 1894 as a trolley park, and became an amusement park in 1899. It was donated to Blair County in 1937. It was privatized on May 23, 1986 when it was purchased by the Boyer Candy Company, at which point it was called Boyertown USA. Although it was sold on July 1, 1988, it remained in continuous operation through 2016. The park was closed for the 2017 season, as many rides and attractions were undergoing maintenance. In 2018, Lakemont Park announced that it would remain closed for the season, with plans to reopen as a "family entertainment location with some amusements" in the summer of 2019. The park sold a lot of its former rides and attractions.[2] It successfully reopened in the summer of 2019.[3] The park will not operate during the 2024 season due to a lack of funds for ride maintenance.

Lakemont Park is also known for its 51-acre drive-through holiday light display, Holiday Lights on the Lake, which operates from November to January.

Current rides and attractions

The German Swings, with the Sky Diver in the background.

Lakemont Park has numerous outdoor attractions.

Roller coasters

Ride Opened Description Ref(s)
Leap-The-Dips 1902 A wooden, figure-eight type coaster with three four-seat trains. Only two figure-eight type roller coasters still survive in the world. Leap-The-Dips features 1,452 feet (443 m) of track and is one of the few surviving roller coasters with side friction. The ride was closed for all but two weeks in 2005, because of maintenance. The ride was also closed from 1986 to 1998.[4]
Skyliner 1987 A wooden coaster. Skyliner was relocated from Roseland Park in Canandaigua, New York, where it was built in 1960. It was moved to build up the park for the failed Boyertown USA project. This marks one of the few instances of a wooden roller coaster being moved.
Little Leaper A standard Allan Herschell Little Dipper kiddie coaster.

Other family rides and attractions

  • Paddle Boats[5]
  • Tin Lizzy Antique Cars
  • Motorway Go-Karts[5]
  • C.P. Huntington Train
  • 4 Batting cages
  • 18 Hole Keystone Falls Mini Golf
  • 18 Hole Rabbit Hole Mini Golf
  • 4 Basketball courts
  • 2 Volleyball courts
  • Corn hole boards
  • Horseshoe pits
  • Walking paths

Kiddie rides and attractions

  • 4X4[5] Monster Trucks
  • C.P. Huntington Train
  • Lil' Leaper
  • Playground

Water park

The water park closed in 2020 and has not opened since.

Ride Opened Closed Description Ref(s)
Pool 2020 3 foot deep pool [5]
Three water slides 2020 [5]
Pirate's Cove 2017 Small pirate ship with water cannons and palm trees [5]
Treehouse Activity Pool 2019 2020 Treehouse-themed pool with fountains

Former roller coasters

Like any amusement park that has been open for many years, some of Lakemont Park's roller coasters have been removed over the years for various reasons.

Ride Manufacturer Opened Closed Description Ref(s)
Gravity Road Amandus Sink 1894 1897 A switchback railroad-style roller coaster built by Amandus Sink. The ride was torn down in 1897. [6][7][8]
Twister Philadelphia Toboggan Company 1927 1935 A Herbert Schmeck wooden roller coaster named "Twister" from 1927 to 1935. The ride was destroyed in a flood in March of 1936, and was removed a year later.
Toboggan Chance Rides 1991 2016 A portable Toboggan coaster. The ride featured four single cars.
Mad Mouse Allan Herschell Company 1993 2003 A steel spinning coaster. The ride closed in 2003 due to increasing maintenance needs.

Incidents at Lakemont Park

  • On July 23, 1959, a twelve-year-old boy named Frank Vestri drowned in the water park swimming pool, despite a life guard being on duty.
  • On September 2, 1991, a seventeen-year-old ride operator named Chris Whitfield was injured by the Little Leaper coaster. He lost his right leg after it was caught between the train and its chain. The accident was featured on the television series Rescue 911 on CBS in 1992.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Stephens, Kay (March 7, 2018). "Lakemont to remain closed this year". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  3. ^ "After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions". Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Leap the Dips Roller Coaster". P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., Consulting Engineers. December 21, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Lakemont Park and The Island Water Park". Lakemontparkfun.com. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  6. ^ "Lakemont Park Is 25 Years Old Tomorrow. Popular Resort was Formally Opened on July 4, 1893, by Logan Valley Railway". Altoona Tribune. July 3, 1918. p. 12.
  7. ^ "Plenty of Work Goes on Now at Lakemont Summer Fun Spot". Altoona Mirror. April 14, 1961. p. 16.
  8. ^ "July 4 To Mark 60th Birthday Of County's Lakemont Park". Altoona Tribune. June 29, 1953. p. 12.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lakemont Park.
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