Conneaut Lake Park- Survival and Settlement Plans

Conneaut Lake Park's Survival and Settlement Plans! 

 Well, finally some good news in regards to Conneaut Lake Park! While the park has had endless problems, mostly due to the board of trustees and mismanagement, allowing the park to fall into trouble both with maintenance and money,  there is some light at the end of this tunnel!

 The Court of Common Pleas in Crawford County, Pennsylvania has approved a settlement between Conneaut Lake Park and PA's Attorney General.  In this new deal the board of trustees which is responsible for this problem has been sacked, with a new board put into place to take care of managing the park. Included in this is a clean-up effort for the park, such things as fixes old fences, uprooting stray trees and a long term development plan.

 In addition the park will work with Pennsylvania's "Economic Progress Alliance" to keep the park moving forward and get them out of the heavy debt.

 Now, this new board is still not completely in the clear- They must come up with an action plan to pay back the nearly $900,000 in back taxes which the park owes to the state and county. Right now, they seem positive and appear to already be working on a game plan to keep the park open and operating-

Conneaut :Lake Park- Only Paying Taxes Will Save Park..

 County States "Only Paying Back-taxes Will Save Conneaut Lake Park".

 In a not very surprising move Crawford County has stated that the only thing to spot the sale of Conneaut Lake Park is for them to establish.. and actually PAY their back taxes.

 The not-very-trustworthy board of trustees has been hunting for a way out of their un-paid back taxes for a while and in the process, maybe save the park which is deeded to the public. The park, which owes more the $900,000 in public and school taxes to the county has been quietly not paying the last several years, making the sum astronomical.  The counties 'Economic Progress Alliance" has worked out and submitted a way out for the worthless trustees, provided they establish a new board to oversee the amusement park and make sure these overdue taxes get re-paid over the next five years.  This new group would consist of three people for the current board and three members of the Alliance, to make sure things get done correctly.

 Judging by how bad things have gotten under the over-site of the current board of trustees, I'm not very faithful that this plan will be enacted. While I hope they will move in the right direction to save the park, I'd still suggest every visit this season after they open on May 23rd.

 ...it may likely be your last chance.


Information from: The Meadville Tribune

Update on Conneaut Lake Park

Update on the Status of Conneaut Lake Park.

 Conneaut Lake Park's fate has been under the axe the last few years due to poor management by the parks board of trustees. It was announced that the park's land and attractions will be sold by sheriff's sale in September of 2014 to cover a massive debt of unpaid taxes.

 The only shining light here is that I have finally confirmed, via email with the park, that they will open for the 2014 season.  The dates haven't been announced yet but it's likely to be middle or late May.

 This will be your final and last chance to visit the park. You last possible chance to ride "Blue Streak" which is a classic wooden coaster, currently 76 years old. It will also be the last chance to visit the new "haunted house" the park just opened last season called "Hostile Hostel".

 So start making you plans now if you wish to get in on the parks final season. Let's try to give this old friend a fond, if heart-breaking, farewell.

Bad News for Conneaut Lake Park

 Bad News for Conneaut Lake Park

 Not happy news today- Conneaut Lake Park will be sold.

 This news comes after their lackluster board of trustees failed to pay the state of Pennsylvania nearly $900,000 in back-taxes, late payments and interest on the properties. The sale will come in September at a County Tax Claims Sale. Currently none of the trustees are facing charges in regards to where the money from Conneaut Lake Park's taxes have gone.

 It is unknown at this time if Conneaut Lake Park will open for the 2014 season or what will happen to the parks collection of historic rides and attractions. The Blue Streak roller coaster alone is over 75 years old and is considered a Roller Coaster Landmark.

 We will continue to report on the fate of Conneaut Lake Park as information becomes available.

Conneaut Lake- Investigation into the Park Trustees

 News Today from Conneaut Lake. 


 The amusements parks trustees committee has been ordered by the Pennsylvania Attorney General to turn over a all financial documents as well as all meeting minutes, insurance documents and profit/loss statements dating back to 2007.

 This is the second time that the small amusement park's trustees committee has been under investigation by the State of Pennsylvania.  The committee oversees the trust fund which keeps the park operating year after year and they where last investigated in 2006 for possible misuse of funds and insurance issues.

 The board is under investigation for failing to take advance of advertisement and business opportunities which would raise park review,  failing to insure park properties like the fire razed Dreamland Ballroom and driving business away from Hotel Conneaut.  According to the count petition, they failed to insure the Dreamland Ballroom and the Beach Club against structural loss as well as failing to uphold the parks best interests.

 This all comes as a result of the Crawford County Board of Commissioners threatening to put the park up for sale due to unpaid property taxes, taxes the trustees committee is suppose to be handling.

 What is the future of Conneaut Lake? We're not sure but in sixty days some action will happen. Stay turned until then!


Read More- The Meadville Tribune

Roadside America- Conneaut Lake Park

Continuing our crazy trip across America to the smaller amusement parks often forgotten for the Industry giants. So forget let's forget about them, we're looking at all those little parks with all the forgotten gems of amusement history!

Today we're looking at Conneaut Lake Park located in Conneaut Lake, PA. Which is about 40 miles south of Erie, PA and 2 hours north of Pittsburgh, PA.

Conneaut Lake opened like many other parks, it was a pinic area for folks and had summer cottages located around the lake for those who could afford. It opened originally under the name of Exposition Park in 1892, it's first "ride" was a carousel added several  years later with other ride being added over the years. It wasn't until the 1920's the name "Conneaut Lake" came into use as the park tried to reflect it's new "amusement park" status.
The park boasts a famous "Woodie" (Wooden Roller Coaster) called 'Blue Streak' which was built in  1937 and holds the title of the 6th oldest wooden roller coaster in the US. 

Sadly, Conneaut Lake isn't doing very well. Due to the hard times during the 1990's the park fell onto hard times and closed for a year. It was later purchased then closed again when it's owner was sent to jail for tax evasion.  A giant mess ensued and the park has yet to fully recover from the chaos the former owner created for this tiny gem. It is currently in the hard of a trustee group who shows little interest in this historic park other then as a held property.  Right now the park only operates Thursday-Sunday, with a penchant for being randomly closed at odd times.

Hopefully this little jewel of a park won't fall completely, we've lot enough history parks as it is! So if your close by, call and stop by, the Blue Streak always deserves a ride!

Conneaut Lake Park