BUSHKILL PARK NEEDS YOUR HELP!
From Peg Batchelder:
I would like to pass along an email I received regarding a small park in need of help. If you would like to help a park in need, or just like to get filthy dirty for no pay, please consider volunteering. Please note, contact Joel Styer (not me) if you decide to help out - see info in the letter below.
Thanks,
Peg
Hi Everyone,
On Saturday, September 18th, Bushkill Park in Easton, PA became severely flooded from the recent heavy rains. The entire park was fully underwater and every ride and building is damaged, some far worse than others. The Pretzel building is completely gone now. The front wall and deck of the gift shop is completely gone. All traces of the miniature golf course have completely vanished. A tree lays across the mini boats. The wooden barrel and the lower floor of the Barl Of Fun are covered with mud and water soaked. A pavilion roof is laying on the ground up against a tree. At many places, the miniature train tracks are washed out. Other structures have just disappeared. And it goes on and on like that throughout the whole park.
But Bushkill Park has no intentions of giving and up and fully expects to be operating next spring. Cleanup will take a long time however. Park employees and volunteers are cleaning up as much as they can but they can still use help. They would welcome the members of enthusiasts groups who would want to volunteer their time to help with the cleanup. The first goal is to get the skating rink operating again, which is a major source of their revenue during the off season. The rest of the park needs to be cleaned. Everything is filled and covered with mud.
If you have an interest in helping, you can go to the park on Saturday (Sept 25th) or Sunday (Sept 26th) after 9AM. There will likely be cleanup going on during the weekdays and the following weekend too. Tell them you are from an enthusiast group and wish to help with the cleanup. You might consider taking a broom or brush with if you can and wear old clothes. Please email me and let me know if you can help and which enthusiast groups you belong to. I will then contact them with the number of people coming. You cannot call the park directly as the phones are out of service.
Directions to Bushkill Park from Route 22: Take the 25th Street/Wilson exit and go West (actually North) on route 248 for a little less than a mile. Turn right onto Park Road, just before the Palmer Park Mall. Go straight for almost a mile and look for the Bushkill sign on the right, along the creek. The park will be on your right, across the creek. When you see the park, turn right and cross the bridge. The parking lot will be on your right just after the bridge. Note that these roads were open on Tuesday when I was there, many other roads in the area were still closed. Also be careful for damaged roads in the area.
Even though Bushkill doesn't have the biggest rides, they have always been kind to enthusiasts who stop by for a visit. It is a unique park, like no other, one of Pennsylvania's family owned places of fun. It is the only place you can go in a Funhouse with a full size, wooden barrel. This is an excellent opportunity to give a little something back to an amusement park, at a time when they really need it.
To see how much work needs to be done, check out the pictures from Tuesday, September 21st at http://www.ridezone.com/parks/pa/bushkill/Flood04/index.htm
Please pass this on to anyone who might be interested in helping. Thank you,
Joel Styer
joelstyer@ridezone.com
ERT ON TSUNAMI AT CLEMENTON LAKE, NJ
(NOTE: THE FOLLOWING POST IS FOR ACE MEMBERS FROM THE NEW ENGLAND, NJ, NY METRO, AND SE PA REGIONS
ONLY. IF YOU ARE
NOT AN ACE MEMBER FROM ONE OF THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED REGIONS,
PLEASE DISREGARD THIS INFORMATION--DON'T EVEN BOTHER READING IT, JUST SKIP TO THE NEXT THING. ARE WE CLEAR? GOOD!)
(NOTE #2: THIS POST HAS BEEN EDITED TO REFLECT A MAJOR CHANGE IN THE ERT SCHEDULE--IF YOU FIRST READ THIS POST ON SUNDAY, PLEASE READ IT AGAIN.)
The following is an email from Dana Schwartz, NJ Regional Rep:
Some MAJOR changes from the original email about the ERT on Tsunami next Saturday, 25 September 2004, at Clementon Amusement Park. PLEASE read the following very carefully and look for the changes in TIME and discounted admission. After you read this very carefully, read it again very carefully. There's still a LOT of information and detailed instructions, I know -- but most of your answers are in here if you pay close attention! :-)
This part stays the same:
Please reply to Dăna Schwartz ONLY. Assistant Rep Joe Krapf is in Florida - if you send him email I won't see it. Please use my Optonline email address, NOT my aceonline.org address and NOT this address: dooley7@ix.netcom.com. Use this address ONLY: danaschwartz@optonline.net .
AT LONG LAST!!! A special ride time for TSUNAMI at Clementon Park, for ACE members only!
You must respond to danaschwartz@optonline.net by NOON, Wednesday, 22 September 2004!
****************************************************************************************************
This part has changed...
As you are aware from last month's mailing, I have been working with Larry Baker, the owner of Clementon Amusement Park, on a special ride time on Tsunami for nearby ACE members. Unfortunately, the coaster wasn't ready in mid-August and the special ride time had to be postponed. You may have heard that Tsunami finally opened on
11-12 September, but the park was closed to the public -- only the people attending buy-out picnics were able to ride it. The park opened briefly on Saturday, 18 September, and some enthusiasts were there to ride Tsunami. Then the remnants of Hurricane Ivan forced the park to close for the rest of the day. Today, Sunday, 19 September was gorgeous weather-wise and additional enthusiasts, including my husband and me, visited the park to ride Tsunami.
The coaster is truly terrific. Extremely intense for a woodie (aggressive, is their term!), but I'm certain that you will enjoy it. Tsunami kicks butt. :-) Larry Baker is so delighted that he finally has a THRILL ride and cannot wait to see how all of you react to his dream coaster. I think your reaction to riding it will make him extremely happy! :-)
As you know, Mr. Baker originally offered local ACE members exclusive ride time next Saturday morning. After he and I and the park's General Manager met today, we all agreed that EVENING ERT, after the park closes to the public, would be even more outrageous!!!
YES -- ERT on Tsunami will be from ~ 7 - 9 PM next Saturday, 25 September 2004 - after the general public has left the park and the sun goes down! Are you even happier???
As before, there will be no charge to ACE members for the evening ERT. Admission to the park for ACE members on the official list who wish to visit during the day when the park is open to the general public (I'll send the park a final list of names on Friday) will be discounted 50% from the regular price -- only $11.00 per person. The park opens for the day on 25 September at 11 AM. For those who wish to be on the list for the ERT ONLY, there will be NO charge to enter the park. But... either way, YOU MUST BE ON THE LIST I submit to the park, must be a current ACE member, and abide by the other ground rules listed below. A "pecking order", in the event participation has to be limited due to overwhelming response, will still apply. I think it’s doubtful that attendance will need to be limited, but I have no idea how many responses I’ll receive by Wednesday at noon.
Detailed instructions about where to park, which gate to enter, when to arrive if you are only attending the ERT in the evening, where to assemble if you’re already in the park, etc., will be sent to those who COMMIT to participate and whose names are on the official list. Your ACE membership card will be your "ticket" for the discount for admission to the park earlier in the day and for ERT at no cost in the evening – but, again I stress that you must be on the list I submit. Park staff will handle the check in during the day. I won't be there until around 6 PM, so it's imperative that you follow the final instructions to a "T" that I send in the confirmation email to those who are on the list to attend the event.
Here are the ground rules (pretty much the same):
1. The invitation from the park is for ACE members ONLY. New Jersey members get first priority if we need to limit the number for some reason. I'm sorry -- no guests who are not current ACE members. I'm asking for names and ID numbers and plan to prepare a check-in list of people who COMMIT to attend -- in anticipation of a large response from people who'd like to be there, we MUST have a firm commitment that you will show up! This is short notice and an even shorter turnaround time. Your cooperation is appreciated.
2. ACE members from the NY Metro, SE Pennsylvania and New England regions are second on the list of invitees. Requests will be granted based on the order we receive email replies, by "pecking order": NJ ACE members followed by NY Metro, SE PA and New England members.
3. All New Jersey state regulations and the ACE Code of Conduct will be enforced. Yeah, I gotta tell you that. NO MATTER what the procedures are for loading and checking the restraints on Tsunami during the ERT or when visiting the park that day with the public, while we are *guests* of the park everyone must abide by their rules and not make too big a deal about the process. After last year's incident at Holiday World, park owners are extremely wary of enthusiasts and their behavior on roller coasters. I've assured (and reassured) Mr. Baker that ACE members understand the rules and always behave themselves. OK. Lecture over. :-)
What I need from you by NOON on Wednesday, 22 September 2004 (NOTE: Even if you responded to the earlier email to say you would attend the morning ERT, I MUST hear from you again for the official list. I know I'm a pain in the you-know-what, but I'm a stickler for details. :-) Thanks for your cooperation!):
Name, ACE member number (I'll check against our membership roster), phone number and email address. If you know an ACE member who has no access to email who meets the criteria and who will COMMIT to attend, feel free to let them know about this and include their info with yours. As mentioned in the last snail-mail regional newsletter, I cannot call everyone without email addresses or who cannot access the regional web site (the info will be posted on the web site as well). This information is required so that a master list of attendees can be prepared for check-in for the park staff! No "walk-ins" will be accepted for the Tsunami ERT -- you must be a current ACE member and on the list I send them!
Plans for check-in for the ERT on Tsunami, Saturday, 25 September 2004:
As mentioned above, ERT will take place from 7- 9 PM. Those who are on the list to visit the park during regular hours and attend the ERT session (or, ONLY attend the ERT session) will receive a confirmation email and weather updates through Friday, 24 September, and pertinent updates will be posted to the web site (e.g. a cancellation due to weather). To facilitate check-in for ERT only, please arrive at Clementon by 6:30 PM at the latest, Saturday, 25 September -- that is, once you have received the "green light" email that you are on the list. You will receive exact instructions where to report for check-in in the confirmation email that goes out to participants only. Those who will attend and are already in the park will be given instructions where to assemble for the ERT while the park is being cleared. I've received one response from a kind soul who will take a few candid shots during the event of participants hanging around, riding Tsunami, perhaps a group photo at the beginning of ERT during check-in, for our regional newsletter. Digital preferred. Remember: it will get dark fast, so any shots will probably need to be taken early on before it's pitch black out! Of course, if you are in the park earlier in the day when it's light out and catch some enthusiasts gathering around Tsunami, take their picture and send it to me. Like I said, Joe Krapf won't be there to snap photos, so I really appreciate your help!
Please... Do not post this information on other Internet roller coaster forums such as rec.roller-coaster (RRC), UltimateRollerCoaster (URC), CoasterBuzz, etc. Wider dissemination of this information is not a good idea -- Mr. Baker has graciously extended this invitation to LOCAL ACE members and, although I've allowed for ACE members from out of state who live in nearby states/ACE regions, I am trying to abide by his wishes to keep the event LOCAL.
Please... I prefer to respond to your questions by email, not by phone. I'm in and out a lot and you'll get a reply more quickly if you write than if you call me. Plus, since Joe ran off to Florida, I'm answering all the emails alone! :-)
Now, go back to the top and read it again before you reply! :-) (And, yes – I deliberately repeated myself on some of the information above so that if you miss it the first time, you’ll catch it the second time! I saw you skimming! )
Dăna Schwartz
Remember!!! Please reply to me using the Optonline email address, NOT the aceonline.org address and NOT dooley7@ix.netcom.com . Use: danaschwartz@optonline.net. Thanks!
BOO-LDER DASH BASH DETAILS:
What: “Boo-lder Dash Bash” registration includes one hour of Exclusive Ride Time on Boulder Dash, PLUS admission to the park AND admission to the Haunted Graveyard, Southern New England’s premier Halloween attraction!
When: Saturday, October 23, 2004. Registration is strictly from 3:00-4:00 pm.
Where: Lake Compounce, off Route 229, Bristol / Southington, CT
Cost will be $20 for members and $25 for non-members.
Schedule of Events:
3:00 - 4:00 pm: Registration at the main entrance. All attendees will receive admission to the park and to the Haunted Graveyard, and a nametag that must be worn during ERT in order to participate. NO event tickets will be sold once registration has closed. Sorry, no meals are included with registration; however, “Midway Moola,” which can be used to purchase food and merchandise, will be available at a 10% discount during registration only (“Midway Moola” can also be used next season).
*** ALL payments must be made on-site ***
*** CASH will be accepted from all. PERSONAL CHECKS will be accepted from ACE members ONLY. CREDIT CARDS will NOT be accepted. ***
4:00 - 5:00 pm: Exclusive Ride Time on Boulder Dash.
5:00 pm - closing: Lake Compounce and the Haunted Graveyard open and available to the public and you. Rides close at 11 pm; Haunted Graveyard closing time depends upon attendance, but is usually between 11 pm and midnight.
Important Notes:
--The registration time is limited because of the timing of ERT and because of the heavy theming at the park entrance once the park is open to the public. If you CANNOT make the registration time, please try to find a friend to purchase your ticket for you.
--It is not possible to prorate fees for partial attendance (Park or Haunted Graveyard only) or for members with Season Passes.
--Cameras are not permitted on the coasters at any time.
--All scheduled events are subject to change without notice due to inclement weather, equipment problems, or other unforeseen circumstances.
--All attendees are expected to fully comply with park rules, guidelines, and instructions. Failure to do so may result in ejection from the park and/or disciplinary action by ACE, per the Code of Conduct.
--Per current ACE policy, non-members may only attend this event as a guest of an ACE member who consents to take responsibility for the behavior of any and all guests he/she has “sponsored.”
(Note: This item is not listed in the official event flyer. Check with Peg Batchelder at pbatchelder@aceonline.org to verify whether this policy will be enforced.)
Directions to Lake Compounce:
From within Connecticut:
--Bridgeport: Rt. 8 north to I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs. (40 miles)
--Danbury: I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs. (40 miles)
--Hartford: I-84 west to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs. (18 miles)
--New Haven (28 miles): I-91 north to Rt. 691 west to I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
--New London: I-95 south to Rt. 9 north to Rt. 72 west to I-84 west to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs. (60 miles)
--Stamford: I-95 north to Rt. 8 north (exit 27a) to I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs. (61 miles)
--Waterbury: I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs. (12 miles)
From out of state:
--Upper New England – western MA, VT, and NH: I-91 south to I-84 west to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
--Southern NY and NJ: I-95 north to Rt. 8 (exit 27a) to I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
--Central New York: I-87 south to I-84 to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
--Northern New York: I-90 east to I-91 south to I-84 east to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
--Eastern MA/Boston area: I-90 west to I-84 west to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
--Rhode Island: Route 6 west to Route 101 west to Route 44 west to Route 74 west. Follow Route 74 to I-84 west to exit 31. North on Rt. 229, and follow signs.
The payment of registration fees by, for or on behalf of participants releases and holds harmless the American Coaster Enthusiasts Worldwide, Inc., its Officers, Directors, Executive Committee members and representatives, as well as Kennywood Entertainment Co. and Lake Compounce, from any and all liabilities related to those activities.
For Park information please visit http://www.lakecompounce.com/ or call 860-583-3300.
For Haunted Graveyard information, please visit http://www.hauntedgraveyard.com/.
A portion of the proceeds from The Haunted Graveyard are donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, local schools, and youth associations.
INFORMAL GATHERING AT SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND ANNOUNCED
Once again, Six Flags New England will host an informal gathering of the ACE New England region on closing day, Sunday, October 31...yes, closing day is on Halloween this year. Weather and conditions permitting, ACE New England region members will be treated to the last ride of the year on Superman--Ride of Steel. ACE members from other regions get choice of any remaining seats, with guests of members filling in any spaces that may be left. Other surprises are also under discussion, some of which will be announced here if/when confirmed. Any meeting time(s) for participants will also be posted here if/when determined. As is usual for informal gatherings, there are no discounts, ERTs, meals, etc....just the pleasure of the company of your fellow enthusiasts and, in this case, any small perks (such as the last ride) the park deems fit to grant us
.
Also, the park is extending an invitation to us to help them attempt to break a record and help us to raise money for the ACE Preservation Fund and/or Museum Fund over the next two months. No, we won't be marathoning on a coaster...our park contact explains the situation:
"I am inviting ACE to an opportunity to raise funds for either the Preservation or Museum funds. We here are going to go for the jack-o-lantern guiness record. We will be displaying them in the park's picnic grove. To accomplish the record, we will need 24,000 carved, lit, pumpkins. To help us reach this goal, we are inviting groups in to help carve. Groups will receive $1 per pumpkin carved towards their charity/cause. Basically, you and your team show up to the park and carve as many pumpkins as you can in the picnic grove. Your group will also receive free admission for your effort."
If anyone is interested in forming a group and carving on ACE's behalf, contact Dave Swank at 800-370-7488, ext. 3469.
PIRATES FUN PARK (SALISBURY BEACH, MA) ENDANGERED
On my way home from Funtown Fest Sunday afternoon, I made a stop a Salisbury Beach, MA. Since Pirates Fun Park is a free-admission park, I always take the opportunity to walk around the place and note any changes from my previous visit. This time, the changes were significant. Only the front 1/3 of the park was open--all kiddie rides. The back 2/3 was walled off. What I could see through the lattice work at the top of the wall was the remnants of a spinning ride in the back and lots of construction equipment and machines toward the front. I knowingly asked a ride op, "Didn't there used to be more park back there?" She said, "Yes, the rides back there were sold to some park in Georgia. They're building condos." Me: The park sold that portion to some developer, huh? Ride op: The park IS the developer. Me: So the dark ride was destroyed? Ride op: Yup, it was crushed (I presume she meant bulldozed.) Me: So they're only going to keep this little section as a park from now on? Ride op: We'll know after Labor Day (she didn't come right out and say it, but it was obvious that the implication was that the whole place might no longer exist as an amusement park by next year, instead being redeveloped into housing and such). So this park, which was once home to a Galaxi several years ago (and other, more important coasters many, many years ago) as well as a slightly above average dark ride appears to me to be in danger. If you had any special memories of the place, I recommend getting there to see what's left (and of course, to grab your souvenir ride ticket) before Labor Day.
