Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Around 50 attendees throughout the day visited three different parks for the Cleveland Coaster Crawl on June 7. The event served as the Eastern Great Lakes region’s second annual History and Preservation Day, highlighting the history of regional parks.
Attendees checked in to the region’s second annual History and Preservation Day.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jenn Fortney. View full-sized image.
Roller Coaster.
Photo: Jenn Fortney. View full-sized image.
The most elusive credit began the day: Tuscora Park’s Roller Coaster. Working with the stringent restrictions that typically make Roller Coaster a less common credit for those who did not grow up in the area, ACE members and their guests were sent in groups of three for three laps on what would be the first of two Allan Herschell Little Dipper models featured that day.
The 1928 vintage Herschell-Spillman Carousel has been at Tuscora Park since 1941.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
The Ferris Wheel has operated in the park since 1943.
Photo: Dominic Corbin. View full-sized image.
The Tuscora Park Rotary Railroad.
Photo: Jenn Fortney. View full-sized image.
After getting their laps in on Roller Coaster, many took in the charm of this little park out of New Philadelphia, Ohio, on other rides such as the Carousel, Ferris Wheel and Train.
An informal takeover time on the Tilt-a-Whirl produced much hilarity.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
A contribution from ACE’s Preservation Fund will help make it possible for Funtimes Fun Park to restore an Allan Herschell Mite Mouse, which will be called Time Warp.
Photo: Dominic Corbin. View full-sized image.
The second leg of the Coaster Crawl was hosted at Funtimes Fun Park in Alliance, Ohio. Wristbands were activated at noon, unlocking an afternoon of rides both classic and with a new flair. About an hour or so after an informal takeover of the Tilt-a-Whirl, attendees gathered for an announcement from park owners Jason and Dawn Dlugokecki. A banner was unfurled to reveal the name of the soon-to-be restored Allan Herschell Mite Mouse, Time Warp, with a $20,000 grant from ACE’s Preservation Fund making it possible. The hosts expressed a deep appreciation for the partnership with ACE and promised that, once completed, time would be set aside for ACE specifically to enjoy the restoration of the “barn find” before the general public.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Serial Serpent.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
After pictures of the owners and ACE reps with the check and ride announcement banner were taken, the group at large gathered for a picture in front of the park’s Serial Serpent, an E&F Miler Industries family coaster.
Photo: Dominic Corbin. View full-sized image.
Little Dipper.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Along with riding Little Dipper, mini-golf was a popular activity.
Photo: Jennifer Herchek. View full-sized image.
Sluggers & Putters in Canal Fulton, Ohio, was the last park to cap off the day, with the highlight being their 70-year-old Herschell Little Dipper. Attendees were able to enjoy a reserved patio space and the luscious tree canopy over the park, which provided a respite from the heat and sun throughout the day.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
After a sizable group made their way through the queue for Little Dipper, a last picture was taken in front of the coaster. The event as a whole was a perfect way to encapsulate the spirit of history, preservation and ACE’s goal of appreciating coasters and parks both big and small.
Gratitude was extended to all hosting parks — Adam Fulton of Tuscora Park, Jason and Dawn Dlugokecki of Funtimes Fun Park and Tim McCully of Sluggers & Putters — and to all volunteers for making it happen.
— Quincy Hutchinson
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