My Facebook visits the past few days have been “barraged” with posts concerning one of our Western Pennsylvania beloved venues. I am referring to Kennywood Park.
These numerous posts (and the innumerable responses they have generated) center upon Kennywood’s decision to eliminate four of its oldest, and much-loved, amusement rides: the Kangaroo, Volcano, Bayern Kurve, and Paratrooper.
To quote the Park’s officials, the decision to eliminate these historic artifacts is…
“While these attractions have created countless special memories for our Guests and Team Members over the years, we have determined the best path forward at this time is to say goodbye.”
The Park’s statement goes-on to say that, although these rides have generated incredible followers and income for several decades, it is now time to say “Goodbye” to them.
WHAT???
Obviously, these four machines have accomplished MUCH more than simply “making money!”
Obviously, what these machines represent and symbolize mean VERY little to some folks.
As I continued reading through the comments on Facebook generated by this decision, I “drifted back” several years to the times I spent demonstrating my Carousel carving at Kennywood…as well as numerous other classic amusement parks all across our great Nation…including our precious Conneaut Lake Park.
BACKWARDS
It was the middle of June, 1995 when, as I opened my issue of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, that I was confronted with an article by one of that paper’s staff writers detailing the devastating effects which the closing of Conneaut Lake Park was expected to have upon the economy and tourism of the entire Region.
Several owners of local establishments provided interviews describing their views of the matter. Having spent the majority the summers of my youth “hanging-out” at the Park, this information was equally emotionally devastating to myself…no more Blue Streak, Log Cabin, Skee Ball, or Park Fries. Worst of all, from my prospective, was the imminent reality of no more Carousel rides.
Being at the early stage of my Life as a carver of Carousel animals, the possibility of this occurring, affected me to such a degree that, even now, I find impossible to describe. I knew what has happened to unused Carousel animals: at worst, they became discarded refuse…at best, they became the objects of memorabilia auctions, usually ending-up in private collections as curios of a bygone era. Never to be ridden…forever languishing in isolation.
It was within this frame of mind, that I wrote the verses listed below.
Being a “incurable Romantic,” I believe, as did the earliest of the great Carousel carvers, that these animals were not merely inanimate wooden creations. Each had a true Life of its own…and, a true consciousness which transcended Time.
As we all know, the Park did close that year…soon to be followed with the announcement that it would be sold. By that time, nearly all the incredible Dentzel Carousel animals had been auctioned-off. Some simply disappeared…faded from view, but not from my memory.
YEARS LATER
Early one afternoon several years ago, a friend and colleague of mine, and I rescued several sections of discarded Blue Streak lumber from destruction. At the invitation of the, then, Chairman of CLP’s Board of Trustees, we witnessed, at a prior date, the current restoration project at the Park’s historic wooden coaster. Our visit to the Park was for the purpose of deciding what items to borrow for an upcoming exhibit and tribute to Conneaut Lake Park I had planned at a Regional Center.
Observing my interest in the pile of discarded coaster lumber, the then Board of Trustees Chairman, Jack, indicated that if I had a use for any of the wood, that I would be welcome to select whatever I would choose. A DREAM COME TRUE!
As I delivered and installed several sections of ancient track cross-pieces in preparation for the exhibit, I took a few moments to pause and examine the sections more closely. Here’s what they revealed to me…
I saw (in them) the handiwork of the nineteenth-century artisans who crafted the original structure of the beams and rails…the bolts , nails, and grain of the century-old rails told the story of proud and hard-working craftsmen and their pride in their work.
I saw every era of care and maintenance by generations of CLP personnel.
I walked the rails with the men whose responsibility it was to grease and inspect the tracks every morning before the Park opened…heard their laughter…breathed with them the stillness and promise of each new day’s dawn.
I saw the team of Amish men as they made repairs to the existing structure.
I spoke again to the incredible team of craftsmen undertaking the current restoration project.
Heard the squeals of delight uttered by innumerable riders…felt the warmth of their excitement embedded in every board and rail.
Finally, I watched as the last car rolled into the distance of a summer’s eve long ago as that curly-headed kid from Millvale hunched closer into the protective shoulder of his smiling Dad.
What stories those pieces of wood have to tell!
WHISPERS
The four, soon to disappear amusement rides at Kennywood Park, are FOREVER, like the wood from the Blue Streak… like the Carousel animals whirling in splendor round-and-round… and, are MUCH more than simple transient rides. They serve as reminders of who we were, and are, as a People, and as a Nation.
Each is a true representation of the Creativity and Spirit of the Dream which is America. To discard them, is to discard our Heritage and our Hope for our Future.
WHAT TO DO?
SO…where do we go from this point? Do we merely accept the elimination of our Past?
The decisions we all face in our Lives are NEVER simple!
Choices ALWAYS seem complicated...whether through the consideration of other individuals along our Journey, or by “situations” we believe that are totally out of our control.
YET...when we hold onto our BELIEF in ourselves, our True Worth and Dignity, and the “reminders” of WHO WE ARE, the choices and decisions we make for ourselves become clearer.
Of course, external influences will always play a “part”... but, with Hope and Faith in ourselves, our Path becomes much, much clearer...and the Results are ones which WE CHOOSE!
Moreover, we will NEVER lose sight of our joined Heritage.
AND…that Vision will guide our EVERY step along the Journey into our Future.
CONNEAUT DAYS
Who can suppose
What dreams they weave
While ceaselessly whirling round
In kaleidoscopic splendor?
Do they somehow sense
That theirs’ is
but another fragile ring
Poised on the edge of our
eternal folly?
What splintered tears do they shed
In dread anticipation
of that day
When all motion ceases…
all laughter wanes
And all the cycles of their magic…are broken?
When that last sweet sigh
of that final summer
Nestles into twilight,
And the last ride ticket
has been spent,
They will remain forever…
Consigned to the circles
of my Life.
G. Nowack: June, 1995
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