AkronNewsNow.com

MULTIMEDIA Demolition Begins At Former Amusement Park
4/3/2009 10:04:46 AM | Ryan Haidet

It used to bring the sounds of excitement as guests rode the rides at Chippewa Lake Park. Now, the area is filled with the sounds of bulldozers.

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Work has begun to remove some of the overgrown trees and brush to make room for a planned resort, which will include a hotel, music center, health spa and an Akron General health and wellness center.

Richard Duecker, who is curator for the property, says dozens of people go there every day to see what's left of the park, which brought them so many memories. He said a man was there yesterday to take pictures of the former park for his father who is currently in Germany in the military. The park, which sits alongside the largest natural inland lake in the state, has significant memories for the man who proposed to his wife there.

LISTEN to Duecker discuss the park and its history on the WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show

The park had been open for 100 years -- between 1878 and 1978 -- before closing. The land was left abandoned. Even though nobody has been on the Big Dipper roller coaster or experienced the Funhouse in more than 30 years, remnants of the park's popular rides can still be seen. The Ferris Wheel, a roller coaster and several other structures still pierce the Medina County sky.

The following video highlights the park in its days of operation and shows some of what's left:

Duecker has watched the park change over the years. "It's not like it was," Duecker says. "It was a spotless, painted, well-maintained place when it was in operation. What it's now is just a bunch of debris -- but it still has the memories."

With rides, music and good food, Duecker says Chippewa Lake Park used to be a big deal. "At one time, Chippewa Lake Park was the premiere park because we had the trolly line and the B&L Railroad come through here," Duecker says. "We were the big deal. Cedar Point was just another park up on the lake."

He blames the park's demise on a combination of things including television and the expansion of other local amusement parks like Cedar Point, Kings Island and the now-closed Geauga Lake.

With the twisted trees taking over and winding through the rides, a group of people found it to be the perfect setting for a horror movie. Last summer, some filmmakers used the property for six weeks to shoot "Closed for the Season," which is currently in the editing stage. On IMDB.com, the film's plot is described as a young girl who finds herself "terrorized by the living memories of the park." The movie follows her as she tries to break free from the park's grasp. No release date has been set.

But there are many people who don't want to forget the memories they formed at the amusement park. "Chippewa Lake was a place where people came to have fun," Duecker says. "And that's what it was all about -- fun."

This video showcases some of the remains of the park:

CLICK HERE to read a blog about the abandoned amusement park by Scott Wynn.

LISTEN to Scott's audio blog about Chippewa Lake Park

For more spooky stories, check out AkronScreams.com!

WATCH a YouTube video that showcases one of the abandoned rides:

If you have a memory of Chippewa Lake Park, leave us a comment below to tell us about your experiences there.

Previous coverage:

10/7/08: AUDIO Chippewa Lake Park's Transformation

9/9/08: AGMC Involved In Chippewa Landing Development

3/27/08: VIDEO New Life For Dead Amusement Park Property

Comments
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posted at 4/3/2009 7:42:40 PM (7547)
basketlady said:

Oh the memories!!!

posted at 4/4/2009 12:36:51 AM (7551)
just saying said:

curator is not the proper term. Caretaker maybe. Curators preserve things. I agree w/ basketlady; I grew up near there and we would watch the fireworks from our front yard. We swam in the lake on the Westfield township side. WHLO days and concerts in the 70s. The ferris wheel was once one of the fastest around. I loved the rockets that swung out over the lake

posted at 4/4/2009 4:40:38 PM (7562)
Bart said:

Anyone of you remember that the first ever Lawrence Welk show was performed at Chippewa Lake Park???

For $1.00 I went into a portable jail with a childhood friend and they gave you a fake whisky bottle (pretend you were toasted) there was an animated gorilla in there with you. I was 16 years old. Still have the photo in perfect condition. The old Saalfield Publishing Company had their annual picnic at Chippewa Lake Park for over 25 years.

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