Lakemont Park

Last updated
Lakemont Park
Previously known as Boyertown USA
Lakemont Park logo.png
Skyliner01.jpg
Skyliner roller coaster
Location Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates 40°28′18″N78°23′44″W / 40.4717632°N 78.3954871°W / 40.4717632; -78.3954871
Opened1894
OwnerLakemont Park Center, LLC
Slogan"Two great parks, twice the fun!"
Operating seasonMay to Labor Day
Area60 acres (240,000 m2)
Attractions
Total8
Roller coasters2
Water rides6 – Currently closed
Website https://www.lakemontparkfun.com

Lakemont Park is an amusement park located in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The park opened in 1894 as a trolley park and became an amusement park in 1899. It is one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating, and the 8th oldest amusement park in the United States. The park was closed from 2017 to 2018, but re-opened in summer 2019. [1] The amusement rides have been out of operation since 2024.

Contents

Lakemont Park houses the world's oldest surviving roller coaster, Leap-The-Dips. On June 19, 1996, Leap-the-Dips was added to the list of National Historic Landmarks by the National Park Service.

History

Lakemont Park opened in 1894 as a trolley park, and became an amusement park in 1899. It was donated to Blair County in 1937. It was privatized on May 23, 1986 when it was purchased by the Boyer Candy Company, at which point it was called Boyertown USA. Although it was sold on July 1, 1988, it remained in continuous operation through 2016. The park was closed for the 2017 season, as many rides and attractions were undergoing maintenance. In 2018, Lakemont Park announced that it would remain closed for the season, with plans to reopen as a "family entertainment location with some amusements" in the summer of 2019. The park sold a lot of its former rides and attractions. [2] It successfully reopened in the summer of 2019. [3] The park indefinitely ceased operations of their amusement rides in 2024 citing a lack of maintenance funds.

Lakemont Park is also known for its 51-acre drive-through holiday light display, Holiday Lights on the Lake, which operates from November to January.

Current rides and attractions

The German Swings, with the Sky Diver in the background. Lakemontparkrides.jpg
The German Swings, with the Sky Diver in the background.

Lakemont Park has numerous outdoor attractions.

Roller coasters

RideOpenedDescriptionRef(s)
Leap-The-Dips 1902A wooden, figure-eight type coaster with three four-seat trains. Only two figure-eight type roller coasters still survive in the world. Leap-The-Dips features 1,452 feet (443 m) of track and is one of the few surviving roller coasters with side friction. The ride was closed for all but two weeks in 2005, because of maintenance. The ride was also closed from 1986 to 1998. [4]
Skyliner 1987A wooden coaster. Skyliner was relocated from Roseland Park in Canandaigua, New York, where it was built in 1960. It was moved to build up the park for the failed Boyertown USA project. This marks one of the few instances of a wooden roller coaster being moved.

Other family rides and attractions

Kiddie rides and attractions

Water park

The water park closed in 2020 and has not opened since.

RideOpenedClosedDescriptionRef(s)
Pool20203 foot deep pool [5]
Three water slides2020 [5]
Pirate's Cove2017Small pirate ship with water cannons and palm trees [5]
Treehouse Activity Pool20192020Treehouse-themed pool with fountains

Former roller coasters

Like any amusement park that has been open for many years, some of Lakemont Park's roller coasters have been removed over the years for various reasons.

RideManufacturerOpenedClosedDescriptionRef(s)
Gravity RoadAmandus Sink18941897A switchback railroad-style roller coaster built by Amandus Sink. The ride was torn down in 1897. [6] [7] [8]
Twister Philadelphia Toboggan Company 19271935A Herbert Schmeck wooden roller coaster. The ride was destroyed in a flood in March of 1935, and was removed a year later.
Toboggan Chance Rides 19912016A portable Toboggan coaster. The ride featured four single cars.
Lil' Leaper/Little Leaper Allan Herschell Company 19932023A standard Little Dipper kiddie coaster.
Mad Mouse Allan Herschell Company 19932003A steel wild mouse coaster. The ride closed in 2003 due to increasing maintenance needs.

Incidents at Lakemont Park

References

  1. ↑ "After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions" . Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  2. ↑ Stephens, Kay (March 7, 2018). "Lakemont to remain closed this year". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  3. ↑ "After two summers closed, Lakemont Park reopens with new additions" . Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Leap the Dips Roller Coaster". P. Joseph Lehman, Inc., Consulting Engineers. December 21, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Lakemont Park and The Island Water Park". Lakemontparkfun.com. Retrieved 2013-03-25.
  6. ↑ "Lakemont Park Is 25 Years Old Tomorrow. Popular Resort was Formally Opened on July 4, 1893, by Logan Valley Railway". Altoona Tribune. July 3, 1918. p. 12.
  7. ↑ "Plenty of Work Goes on Now at Lakemont Summer Fun Spot". Altoona Mirror. April 14, 1961. p. 16.
  8. ↑ "July 4 To Mark 60th Birthday Of County's Lakemont Park". Altoona Tribune. June 29, 1953. p. 12.
  9. ↑ "Rescue 911 - Episode list - Season 4". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
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