Conneaut Lake Park 2021 (with Commentary)

This time we walk through the shambles of Conneaut Lake Park from the lakefront back to the main gate. And this one features my always polarizing commentary, so if you don't like me talking, feel free to mute the sound!

[@markargenas4367]

So sad what the park has become. I have so many wonderful memories there.

[@jeffstull2534]

Our family started going there back in the early 50's and spent alot of time there up thru the 60's. Last time I was there was for our High School graduation party in '72. Sad to see the end of the park. My Aunt worked in the log cabin restaurant and her man friend, Kenny, ran the Blue Streak and gave me lots of free rides on it. And now, the Blue Streak has burnt to the ground. All gone now.

[@solfly6]

The Tumble Bug could have been saved. This is infuriating. If this new "owner" didn't want to deal with it, he could have sold it to a park like Quassy in Connecticut. This was one of only two remaining Tumble Bug rides. Thanks for posting this but this is really depressing....

[@rhiannonb6714]

I wish I would’ve known that 2019 would be the last time I went with my family 😭I would’ve enjoyed it more. CLP is a huge tradition for my entire family

[@thom-mark6443]

My parent's owned a cottage there in the 50's. Every year my father would drop me, my older brother, one friend each and my mother off at the start of summer vacation and pick us up when vacation was over, driving up from Cleveland every weekend. Lots of good memories there.

[@dianecelento4974]

Do you know if the cottage is still there?

[@thom-mark6443]

@@dianecelento4974 wow, surprised I'd ever get a reply. Not sure if the cottage is still standing, that was a LONG time ago and things change (I do remember there was a water tower close to our back yard). I have always thought it would be cool to bring my family (with the grand kids) to show them where the old man spent his summers as a kid. I figured we'd stay at the old hotel by the board walk, but I heard the the amusement park was closed. Now that it's back in operation (I believe) maybe I'll make plans. Thanks for bringing back some new old memories :)

[@dianecelento4974]

@@thom-mark6443 I used to go there as a kid as well. And I also have fond memories. I've taken my kids there as well. From what I've heard the new owner never wanted to preserve the park as he agreed to. The Blue Streak is gone. He claims to have burned it down by accident. The classic Tumble Bug is gone he sold it. the list goes on and on. He wants to build condos. Our park that we remember is almost 100% gone. Sad.

[@thom-mark6443]

@@dianecelento4974 Your right, that's sad. I think my family would have enjoyed it.

[@stormgirl09]

My goodness! If depression was an amusement park....😬

[@kennethslodowski8824]

I worked there way awhile ago and wow! This park looks terrible now. Devils Den and the Carrosel is awesome to see as I watched your video. Yes log cabin was a restaurant. I actually installed the credit card terminal in there! Plus worked as a parking lot attendant and also security. Oh yes worked as a ride a rama band person for midway ticket booth that was near the Devils Den Great video but man what a chsnge!

[@jeffstull2534]

Kenny, my Aunt Leona worked in the Restaurant for many years.

[@heatherb9676]

This is just so sad. So much history.

[@carebeam1269]

The more I watch the more my heart breaks damn I grew up in Cleveland and was always at cedar point, or geauga lake, for Kings Island, but more than twice a year we would come to conneaut lake Park and it was just a sweet quiet get away, and it was almost like my secret little world this breaks my heart

[@RayPVideos]

I believe Conneaut Lake was one of my first ever amusement parks my parents took me to, so I understand the heartbreak. The place had a lot of good memories for me. And yes, losing Geauga Lake and Conneaut both within a 15 year span really sucks. For now, Waldameer is my favorite “local small park”. They seem to be doing well so I hope they last for many years to come! Thanks for watching…

[@tjohnson2323]

I would always make it down a couple times a years with my own kids and or scouts troop…what joesph did to the tumble bug I knew the entire park was done. I couldn’t and wouldn’t let myself give the new owner a single dime.

[@amusementnow4416]

I enjoyed your take on this, even though it's pretty sad. At least I have some fond memories. The way Conneaut survived from 2009-19 is such an amazing story, and it's such a shame that it might not have a happy ending.

[@urbex_coasters]

Agreed. I went in 2017, I'm so glad I got some rides on Blue Streak and Tumble Bug (I also got a ride on Devil's Den but that's it, the park was packed). I'd go as far as to say Todd Joseph is to Conneaut Lake as Fred Trump was to Steeplechase Park at Coney Island, just a scummy developer looking to squeeze quick profit by gutting and selling the park and then developing the land with zero care about what it means for people.

[@amusementnow4416]

@@urbex_coasters Great comparison

[@urbex_coasters]

@@amusementnow4416 It's just on my mind being that I was just at Coney Island and was looking at the Parachute Jump wishing I could ride it, and the concept of the flagship ride at Steeplechase Park (a coaster with 7 or so tracks and a single horse as the vehicle with the ride attendant treating it like a real horse race) sounds so cool as well.

[@hankv.1139]

Thank you for the enlightening but very sad vid. I have vivid memories of the park going back to the fifties. I last was back in Pa in 2011. Your excellent video and commentary talents are appreciated. Thank you. Hank

[@kellyflatley4618]

This is hearbreaking… I worked at the park in 89 and 90. 💔

[@RanHam]

Thanks for sharing. I'm with you with the disappointment. I guess what hurts is the fact that they claimed they were selling it to a guy who wanted to keep it a park. But it turns out they sold it to a guy who's never been to the park. I have a feeling that he's doing this to act like he wants to keep it as a park. And when it "fails". He'll redevelop it.

[@robrozek9265]

Agreed land grab

[@garyfogle4600]

RIP Hello condo s he builds and sells condo that was he does..it the perfect spot for condos...sad day for the park.

[@darcymel7]

All the memories.. :(

[@amusementnow4416]

Also I want to thank you for putting out such high quality videos of this park through its ups and downs of the last decade!

[@VerucaSalt70]

This breaks my heart...my cousins and I used to go here every year at family reunion time. It's been many many years since I've been there. I remember an indoor scrambler ride with black lights and strobe lights (and a figure smoking a doobie atop the center beams??)...I think it was called The Ultimate Trip?? At any rate...we always had a great time!!!

[@bts4ever452]

So sad to see one man destroy this once beautiful amusement park where at one time there were hundreds of people who came there on any given day 70's - 80's. RIP Conneaut lake Park.

[@emsedits5692]

I’ve been here once this year and it honestly just makes me sad. I used to go here all the time as a young child and I’ve made so many memories here that it’s hard to see all these changes they’ve made. It hurts 💔🤕

[@sirrides-a-lot7153]

So Todd Joseph just put a bunch of the ride up for sale, and is apparently planning to turn the CLP property into a trailer park..m

[@sirrides-a-lot7153]

Damn.....that's just sad 😭 at least the Trabant might be put back together. Looks like they repainted the ride. It is cool that they got some "new" stuff, especially the Octopus, but what good will any of it do if it's closed

[@carebeam1269]

My ❤️ is broken 💔

[@joshuajacobsen8959]

I hope this new owner know what he is doing park is almost gone WOW it is a shame!

[@jacksonpriestap3685]

Devil’s Den used to be on RCDB as well as Hawnted House at Camden Park, but they have since been removed. However, the website’s page for both parks has a message saying “Depending on how you define a roller coaster, Conneaut Lake has a 1968 Pretzel Dark Ride called Devil's Den (AKA Dr. Moriarity's Wild Ride 1993 to 2001) which may be of interest.” And “Depending on how you define a roller coaster, Camden Park has a 1960s Pretzel Dark Ride called Hawnted House which may be of interest.” So it really depends on your opinion. I consider both a credit, because they feature chain lifts and they have drops.

[@kennywoodjoe]

In the Conneaut Facebook groups they're saying the Blue Streak first hill suffered significant damage from a tree falling through the structure during recent storms. If you make a return trip soon, please try to get some pictures of the damage. You may be able to see it from the fence in Kiddieland.

[@RayPVideos]

Wow, that’s sad to hear. If that did happen, I hate to say it, but that’s probably it for the Blue Streak. If the new owner was complaining about the cost of repairing the train, this isn’t going to help. I didn’t plan on going back since I left feeling really depressed, but I tend to change my mind often, so we’ll see. Thanks for the info though.

[@sarahwpghpa7252]

it was not major, it was a branch, nothing significant

[@InsaneCoasterJunkie]

I'll be going for the first time since 2019 on Saturday and quite honestly I'm not ready. The videos I have planned are gonna be hard to film and even harder to edit. It's honestly depressing what has happened and I agree, I don't think this park has much time left :(

[@jordan_j_roy]

My god what have they done to this place…

[@jupitermenace9920]

A few things : I wonder if there's a way to save Devil's Den if this is CLP's last season? Wishful thinking on my part, I assume. Plus, what was the park like in the 70s? Lived in NE Ohio all my life but never got there until around 10 years ago.

[@peggieh8577]

Devils Den was my favorite along with the Scrambler. I would say that Devils Den could have been classified as a mini roller coaster....I HATED roller coasters but loved Devils Den

[@urbex_coasters]

I definately consider dark rides with gravity drops to be coasters. Devil's Den, Fire in the Hole, and most old school Wacky Shacks count as credits for me (I also count dry drop log flumes such as the one at Seabreeze). It's all opinion though.

[@emilyshiner2588]

No it's a dark ride. . .its own category

[@RayPVideos]

I agree with that, but I also have to say that the ride does feature a chain lift and is powered by gravity and rides a rail the rest of the way… so it could technically be considered a coaster too. If Six Flags considers Larson Loops as coasters, then Devil’s Den could be a coaster too. Arguments could be made for both sides. (I have it counted as a credit… but that’s just me. I don’t count racing coasters as two credits, so maybe it all evens out in the end!). Thanks for watching.

[@RayPVideos]

Silly question Emily, are you the PR rep for Conneaut Lake? If not, my apologies… If so, I know I wasn’t overly positive in my commentary (I tried my best!), but it was difficult for me seeing so many things gone that I was so used to having there. And having gone through the closure of my home park Geauga Lake, I felt sad that the other park I grew up with as a kid might be headed down the same path. I give you a ton of credit for dealing with the comments on FB and understand your position. You have done a lot to promote the park in a positive light and that deserves some recognition. Either way I appreciate you stopping by and watching. 🙂

[@Jesus.Perez_]

I love these rides 😍💕

[@dianecelento4974]

Devil's Den is not a roller coaster.

[@RayPVideos]

It could be though. I mean, it uses a chain lift to drag the cars to the top, then gravity propels the car down the initial drop and then through the mildly descending turns back to the loading area. The ride is not powered at any point. So from a certain point of view, Devil’s Den could be considered a coaster. It’s all a matter of perspective. Cedar Point calls Pipe Scream a coaster. I think Devil’s Den is more of a coaster than Pipe Scream. Again, just my opinion.

[@dianecelento4974]

@@RayPVideos It use to be considered a roller coaster but it got taken off the list. There was a youtube video about it. But I guess there's a chance that video could have been wrong. Idk for sure.

[@johnsweeney4484]

It's partly a roller coaster

[@retrochristmas7329]

What the hell is going on with the blue streak. Also in all fairness the midway was a dump. Half of it was burnt down. Also they have been making repairs to certain rides if they were closing it I doubt they would have invested money into the rides they would have just leveled the property and been done with it.

[@gerarddoyle8131]

Very sad that’s all I can say about this new owner If I say what I really feel I will be banned from commenting

[@RayPVideos]

I won’t ban you from commenting here as I feel the same way! 😁. It is very sad as I thought the park was finally turning a page after the water slide opened back up. Now the park looks like a war zone and I have no desire to go back this year even for “one last time”.

[@gerarddoyle8131]

@@RayPVideos Ok because I expressed my opinion on CLP’s Facebook group and whoever is the Administrator they block negative comments and they’re only allowing positive comments but I have friends and neighbors who work over there and I was told the new owner is in violation of the contract because the previous owner put a clause in the contract that whoever buys the park will not destroy it and do whatever they can to save the historical status and it’s also still considered public land and the new owner is in violation of the agreement and he also didn’t realize how costly the insurance is on the rides and so much more so I see another lawsuit coming It’s just so sad that we can’t find a person/company that cherishes this historical Amusement Park and this man has lied to us from day one I moved here from the Pittsburgh area 7 years ago and I love living here and at first I was optimistic about Keldon Holdings LLC until someone commented on the destroying of the historical buildings and not saving any of the rides and someone from Keldon Holdings LLC said We don’t care about sentiment We care about profit Also I live next to the park on Comstock Street and I’m in a wheelchair and it was convenient for me to use Reed Ave to get to Dollar General and 618 but now Reed Ave is blocked off so if I want to use Reed Ave I have to pay $5 to enter and only when the park is open So now I have to go down Comstock Street past the boat launch and access 618 that way and that’s a very dangerous intersection and I was in a car accident there a few years ago and I get severe anxiety every time I go that way and I expressed that on the CLP Facebook group and all I got was negative comments from everyone and no one from Keldon Holdings LLC commented

[@sirrides-a-lot7153]

@@gerarddoyle8131 your thoughts turned out to be right. A bunch of the rides were put up for sale.