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Tour the graffiti-covered ruins of Belgium’s dangerous amusement park

In the 1950s, Gaston Deweer, a priest in Dadizele, Belgium, helped open up Dadipark, an amusement park meant to serve children of pilgrims to the Basilica of Our Lady of Dadizele. After complaints about the parks safety and a tragic accident, the park closed down for good in 2002. Now its a graveyard for discarded rides, and covered in graffiti.

Dadipark is Belgiums oldest amusement park, and it still holds what was once Europes longest bridge. Although it was once a popular tourist attraction, it was plagued by dangerous incidents in its later years. In the worst of these incidents, a young boy had to have his arm amputated after riding the parks Jet Boat. Originally, Dadipark was supposed to be reopened after a year, newly renovated, but it remains closed to this day. Developers have eyed the property with the hope of turning it into a modern amusement park, but none of those plans have come to fruition. Now the park attracts a different sort of tourist, those who come to see what the decaying park has become.

Dadipark [Jollypix via reddit]

Activists call for boycott of Lagoon for ‘imprisonment of animals’

FARMINGTON — A local group of animal rights activists is calling for a boycott of Lagoon until the amusement park stops what the group calls the imprisonment of animals.

The group, which organized under the banner name of Lagoonsucks.com, alleges Lagoon has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals that make up the amusement parks Wild Kingdom.

The allegations include providing poor veterinary care, filthy enclosures, inadequately trained employees and too little space, according to Jordan Kasteler. He said the company failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act. He also claims the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited the park numerous times for animal violations.

Lagoon spokesman Dick Andrew categorically denies any abuse is taking place at the amusement park. He said Lagoon has four veterinarians who regularly monitor the animals, has staff that deal with the animals every day of the year and in essence provides a sanctuary of sorts for rescued animals.

Andrew said the last time the park was cited by the USDA for any violation was in 2006 and prior to that it was 2004. He suggests the government would shut down any facility guilty of the kind of abuse the group implies is going on.

Andrew said most of the creatures at the amusement park are what he terms rescued animals who have come to the park, after someone failed to provide adequately for them elsewhere. He said all of the animals in the park were born in captivity, save one, a golden eagle that was hit by a semitrailer and had one wing removed.

There is simply no basis for the statement we are abusing animals, Andrew said.

He said the group will keep up the protests until Lagoon removes the animals to a sanctuary. He wonders what sanctuary will provide better detailed care than the park for its animals.

Kasteler and several other organizers have initiated a petition campaign to try to bring pressure on the park to address the animal issue. They also have chosen to picket during the first few weekends the park has been open this season.

Lagoon calls their Wild Kingdom train ride an attraction. Unfortunately for the animals confined at Lagoon, there is nothing attractive or wild about it, Kasteler said.

The group has also initiated a petition drive. They had a booth at the Davis County Democratic convention Saturday at Farmington Junior High School, where they claim to have gathered more than 70 signatures. They have also taken the petition drive online.

The Wild Kingdom ride at Lagoon features a steam railroad ride pulled by two authentic 19th century locomotives that takes guests on a scenic tour of the amusement park and gives guests the opportunity to view Siberian tigers, Canadian lynx, miniature donkeys, zebras, llamas, elk, camels, deer, ostriches and kangaroos, among other animals.

Amusement Parks Are a Carnival for Investors

Amusement Parks Are a Carnival for Investors

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Amanda Alix

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Local Amusement Park Hosting SPCA Fundraiser

The Monmouth County SPCA will be the beneficiary of a fundraiser hosted by a local amusement park this weekend

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iPlay America,an indoor theme park at 110 Schanck Rd., Freehold, will host the annual Monmouth County SPCA Fur Ball at its Encore Event Center on Saturday, April 21 at 6 pm

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For $150, guests can enjoy fine dining, an open bar, an auction and live music by Brian Kirk and the Jirks.

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Tamsen Fudel of the PIX11 Morning News will serve as host and all of the events proceeds will go directly to the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown.

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The auction will give guests a chance to win four tickets and E Street Lounge passes to a sold out performance of Bruce Springsteens Wrecking Ball Tour at the Prudential Center in Newark on May 2. 

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Guests can enjoy iPlay Americas rides, boardwalk-style games laser tag, bumper cars, bowling, a 4D motion theater and go karts. 

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“We’re very excited to be hosting the SPCA’s Fur Ball,” said iPlay America President and CEO Robert McDaid. “Our management and staff have a strong affinity to dogs and cats and this is going to be a fun event for all involved.

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There will be great food, an open bar, live music and dancing, McDaid continued. Its a chance for people to experience the excitement and fun of iPlay America and its a great way to come out and support the animals at the Monmouth County SPCA.

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Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Amusement Musings: Discovering neutral ground at Six Flags

EDITORS NOTE: Welcome to the first of many guest columns highlighting theme park memories. This column started out as Retro Orlando by Audrey Brown, but weve renamed it and expanded it to include theme park and attraction memories outside the Orlando area. This first Amusement Musings is by Audreys sister and her experiences with little Audrey (pictured above, at right) at Six Flags St. Louis in 1987.

By Heather Cichos

In a family of six, there are bound to be conflicts. Featuring three teenage girls and a baby sister, ours was no exception. Being nine years senior to the little one and in a near constant state of teen angst, she and I clashed often. Our other two sisters were much more patient (and less emotionally volatile) than I in getting along despite the age difference.

When the time finally came for us to get up with the sun and pile into the old Vista Cruiser (Yes just like in That 70s Show) for a family vacation, my temper often rose with the temperature. Long car trips were rough. Three teens in the back seat, and a 5-year-old sandwiched between mom and dad in the front. (All perfectly legal and considered safe at the time. I know, right?) I was at the height of hormone induced suffering as little Audrey deliberately pestered me. I know this because she fessed up to it as an adult. At our better moments, the whole lot of us serenaded our long suffering parents with songs about the evil Mr. Ed and Midol, which wed learned from local radio personalities Bob and Tom.

More often than not, our destination was Kings Island. It was in Ohio, just one state over from our Indiana home. And when we finally arrived, all our differences vaporized in the Midwest heat. Despite its association with Paramount Pictures, I dont recall there being any movie themed rides in the 80s. All the licensed stuff was reserved for the little kiddies. (Youll see this evidenced in a 1973 episode of The Brady Bunch, where Jans Yogi Bear poster caused one heck of a zany mix up!) In Hanna-Barbera land, Scooby Doo and Captain Caveman ruled supreme.

To uphold the “family vacation” ideal, we were all subjected to the Smurfs Enchanted Voyage, trapped together in a boat as it wound its way slowly through the Smurf village, high-pitched “la la la la la las” ringing in our ears and a narrow escape from the evil Gargamel. Oh! The horror! (It was a horror I think we all secretly liked, as it was an enclosed, air-conditioned ride. Return visits later in the day support this theory.) The voyage ended with a blast of hot air as we exited into the hot sun once again. But, we endured the togetherness with minimal complaint if memory serves. Our parents may be disinclined to agree.

Midday, mom and dad would take off to procure us a room for the night. That was when the real fun began. Given leave from our parents, we were free to roam the park at our leisure. Leisure, of course, meaning at full speed and focused on the most daring rides available.

Picture it: Six Flags, 1987 Wed made it to the time when we were sans parental units, but this time we were left with a kindergartener in our charge. Typical selfish teens, we didnt want to be held back by Audreys tender age, so we decided it was time to introduce her to her first scary ride. I (briefly) questioned our judgment. Would she tell mom and dad the terrible thing wed done to her to further our own quest for fun? Had it been just me, Id have chickened out, but I didnt think shed narc on my other two sisters. They were nice to her!

The ride wed chosen to break her in resembled a street car, and the whole thing rose and fell in a circular motion, dropping your stomach into your shoes with each rotation. I sat nervously beside her, waiting for her to freak out and start screaming, thus ending our good time. And yes, the screaming did ensue. But it wasnt because she was scared. They were screams of laughter! The poor naive little thing couldnt imagine any harm could come to her in the charge of her trusted big sisters. We couldnt believe our good fortune. The kid was fearless when it came to amusement park rides!

From that day forward, theme parks became our neutral ground. I strutted along proudly, showing off how brave my little sister was. Together, we laughed at the panic stricken youngsters that were not cut from the same cloth as she was. She strutted along with me, the coolest kid ever, hanging with the big girls that were so impressed with her daring. Our only limitations were the dreaded “You must be this tall to ride.” signs, which we conquered with each passing year as she grew beyond the height requirements and her sisters alike.

I will always be grateful we had the opportunity to find that neutral ground together. Little Audrey is all grown up now, settled in sunny Florida and making a living both filming in and writing about theme parks. I like to think her big sisters may have had an influence on her career choice, with a not-so-subtle push in the right direction.

o Heather Cichos is a theme park enthusiast and proud mother of two recently discovered fearless roller-coaster riders. (Well, recently about the coaster thing, not the mother part. She figured that out ages ago.) She has persevered though the multiple melt-downs that always partner a long day of fun, only a few of which were her own.
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Toronto Islands amusement park up for grabs: City of Toronto

TORONTO – The lease between the City of Toronto and Centreville Amusement Park operator Beasley Amusements is up and this could mean the end of the line for rides at the Toronto Islands.

Instead of simply renewing, as they have for nearly half a century, the City is taking a different approach this time by putting the call out for anyone to bid on the contract to operate Centreville.

“Each period of time we refresh, we renew and perhaps even give opportunities for other people who have other ideas,” said Toronto City Councilor Pam McConnell.

The lease will come to an end later this year and even though it is business as usual for now, the park operator worries the open call could be disastrous.

“There are not a lot of people who do what we do and weve got tens of millions tied up in capital over there,” said Bill Beasley of Beasley Amusements.

With this uncertainty now hanging over the amusement parks head, the operator says they’re holding back on investments and improvements to the rides.

While its believed the current operator has a good chance of winning a new deal with the City, there are no guarantees.

City prepared to forfeit some amusement taxes for Wrigley renovation: sources

Updated: April 4, 2012 1:01PM

As the Cubs ready for their home opener Thursday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his administration are in the final stages of negotiating a deal to pave the way for the renovation of 98-year-old Wrigley Field.

If there is an agreement, sources said it’s likely to include a variation of the financing scheme that Emanuel once called a “non-starter”: the city forfeiting 35 years’ worth of amusement-tax growth from the Cubs.

But there’s a new wrinkle: The Cubs have agreed to a minimum guaranteed payment to the city that would increase every year — an attractive proposition after amusement-tax revenues plunged in 2011 along with attendance at Cubs games.

And if amusement-tax growth exceeds the amount needed to retire stadium bonds, the city would get a share of that money.

“That protects against the downside,” a source familiar with the plan said. “The city and county will be able to budget for at least that amount, regardless of what happens to attendance.”

On Tuesday, Emanuel refused to say whether he had found a way to help subsidize renovation of the iconic ballpark without forfeiting amusement tax growth.

For the first time, he demanded the Cubs invest their own money in the stadium instead of the team pumping $200 million into the construction of the so-called “triangle building” adjacent to Wrigley.

“Whatever we do to enhance the value of Wrigley Field, it will be to make sure the private owners enhance the value at Wrigley Field,” the mayor said at an unrelated event on the Far South Side.

“I will not put my money in their field so they can take their money and invest around the field and get greater economic value.”

The Cubs did not respond directly to the mayor’s demand. Team spokesman Julian Green said the team was working “hard to reach a concensus” in ongoing talks with the city, county, state and “our Wrigleyville neighbors.”

Cubs’ owner Tom Ricketts has been trying for nearly two years — and the Tribune Co. was trying for years before that — to convince the city to forfeit 35 years’ worth of amusement tax growth to bankroll Wrigley renovation. That would allow the Cubs to invest in the triangle building, which would include an upscale restaurant, stores specializing in Cubs’ merchandise, team offices, batting cages and a rooftop garden.

As a mayoral candidate, Emanuel was once dead-set against giving up the amusement tax growth. But as mayor, he is determined to get the deal done.

“We’ve had good conversations. We’re kind of in the final stages of that,” the mayor said. “But, my job is to represent the people of Chicago and to represent the taxpayers so, whatever we do, we get good value as stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”

Pressed on whether he would sacrifice amusement tax growth, he said, “Every piece fits together. I’ll let you know the whole piece when I’m ready. All the pieces have to work together.”

Sports marketing expert Marc Ganis said using amusement taxes to help finance stadium renovation is the “standard around the country.

“In St. Louis, they dedicated seven percent of the ticket tax to ballpark construction. In Los Angeles, the City Council has approved using 100 percent of ticket tax revenue to fund a new football stadium,” Ganis said.

Noting that Wrigley desperately needs to be rebuilt, Ganis said, “If the restoration doesn’t get done, it’s likely that fewer fans will go to Wrigley and revenue streams will start to go down. In 2011, the numbers went down dramatically. The city needs to protect against Wrigley become less of an economic engine.”

Sources said Wrigley Field’s renovation will likely be accomplished during several off-seasons, and the team would not be required to find another place to play during the rehab, sources said.

The renovation would also require relaxing the ballpark’s landmark status.

The City Council landmarked “historic elements” of Wrigley in 2004 as part of an agreement that paved the way for 12 more night games. The designation covered the exterior and marquee sign at Clark and Addison, the quaint center field scoreboard and ivy-covered brick walls and the uninterrupted sweep of the bleachers and grandstand.

After winning the election, Emanuel sent the Cubs back to the drawing board in search of financing alternatives.

Chief Financial Officer Lois Scott has since met repeatedly with the Cubs to discuss a short list of options that might include reviving the failed plan to have the state buy and renovate Wrigley.

Other possibilities include: creating a tax-increment financing district around Wrigley; using historic preservation tax credits or broadening the boundaries of a one percent tax on downtown restaurant meals used to finance McCormick Place. That tax currently extends as far north as Diversey.

Another, more controversial idea is the sale of personal seat licenses similar to the Soldier Field PSLs that the Bears used to contribute to their taxpayer-supported stadium.

Emanuel’s edict that the Cubs invest in the stadium first is not expected to kill the triangle building, just modify it. That’s okay with local Ald. Tom Tunney (44th).

“They’re gonna build something there, but what they’re trying to do is more remote parking and less parking at the triangle building. That would lower the height and make it more of an open plaza and more of a year-round amenity for the community,” the alderman said.

Chinatown business owner accused of running illegal gambling parlor

Police charged a Chinatown business owner at 2337 S. Wentworth with running an illegal gambling parlor after officers seized almost $50,000 in cash and 21 amusement devices. | TOM CRUZE~Sun-Times

Its amusement-park heyday 100 years past, developers now hope to revive …

BURLINGTON CITY When people describe the potential redevelopment of Burlington Island, a few similar phrases keep cropping up.

Developer Karen T. Robbins talks about logistics and moving parts. Burlington City Mayor James Fazzone cites huge hurdles and complicated issues.

This thing has more tentacles than an octopus, is how Board of Island Managers president Jim Cipriano put it.

The metaphors vary, but the sentiment is the same: redeveloping a long-vacant, dredge-laden Delaware River island will be no easy feat.

Yet Robbins, the CEO of Woolman Community Development Corp. of Mount Holly, is pressing forward with a plan to turn the 396-acre island into a recreation and historic tourism destination celebrating the islands Native American and Colonial past.

Dubbed Traders Island, the park would take shape through three phases of construction and ultimately include a 17th-century replica of a Lenni Lenape village, a fort, trading post and amphitheater, and camping, hiking, fishing and other recreational activities.

Located 150 yards off the Burlington City mainland on one side and Bristol, Pa., on the other, the island is so close but so far, Robbins said. Were trying to bring it close to the people who live here.

A COLORFUL PAST,
AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

The island has a colorful history, starting with its settlement in 1624 by French-speaking Belgians called Walloons and its transition to a bustling trading post trafficked by Europeans and Native Americans.

In the early 1900s, paddle wheel boats dropped visitors off every half hour at a turn-of-the-century amusement park that thrilled with rides like the Greyhound, a teeth-rattling wooden roller coaster, before burning down twice.

Its that history that Robbins wants to build on to make the island irresistible again to more than just the odd hiker or kayaker sneaking over from the mainland.

She imagines tent sites, cabins, yurts and cottages for campers, and kayak and canoe rentals for boaters and fishermen on the Delaware River or the island lake.

History buffs could visit archaeological digs that have already yielded thousands of arrowheads, pottery shards and beads, a Native American heritage celebration garden, a boat-building workshop and living history museums showcasing the interactions between European settlers and Lenni Lenapes. A newly built marina, or even an aerial tram, would ferry visitors over.

We want to show the influence each culture had on the other, Robbins said. We really want to take advantage of the unique and rich history thats right here.

The Board of Island Managers, the eight-member nonprofit educational trust that has operated the island since 1682, has been courting developers for years, hoping to revive the islands glory days, revitalize Burlington City into a booming river town and increase the boards revenues, which are donated to the local school district.

We feel that Burlington Island can be a catalyst for the revitalization of Burlington, Cipriano said. We feel strongly that when you have this many people coming into town shopkeepers will be more busy selling their wares, and High Street will come alive with commerce. We look at it as the revitalization of the city.

PILES OF OBSTACLES

In 2009, the board selected Woolmans plan from several redevelopment proposals, and the developer and board continue to negotiate the conditions of a 24-year lease that would turn much of the island over to Woolman Development. The managers have jurisdiction over much of the northern half of the island, and lease the citys southwest portion for $1 per year.

Numerous projects have been dreamt up for the island over the years, from Philadelphia politician Sam Katzs tony golf course to a Biblical theme park, but none have panned out.

Fazzone, who dismissed Robbins concept as just another unrealistic plan, has clippings from 1954 showing his father-in-law, then a city councilman, lamenting the islands stagnation, a complaint repeatedly echoed in the succeeding decades.
While nature trails snake through pristine woods and along a sparkling 97-acre spring-fed lake, another 50 acres on the southern portion of the island have 40-foot high piles of river dredge spoils dumped by the state and US Army Corps of Engineers in the 1970s. More could be deposited on the island in future dredging phases.
Robbins admits there is no shortage of challenges.

The island has no bathrooms. No plumbing. No marina or boat ramp, save a small ledge visitors hoist themselves up on during low tide. Theres no transportation, no infrastructure and no easy way to get emergency vehicles on and off the island, other than by boat or helicopter.

Theres a lot of frustration on the part of the public, Robbins said. They want to see something here. Theres no reason people cant use this lake for fishing or swimming, but everything has to be safe.

Even in the most rural camping areas, theres a park ranger, a truck that can get to you, a car, Fazzone said. Even though it might seem rustic, its just as safe as any other tourism area. All of the safety and security services that need to be provided are provided. Out on the island right now, we provide none of that.

Fazzone and a few island managers remain skeptical that Woolman will be able to secure sufficient financing for such an ambitious project. Robbins would not reveal the total cost, but said she is talking with nonprofits and historical foundations about grant funding possibilities. Finishing the project could take up to seven years, she said.

Fazzone said he has talked with potential investors about projects he considers more feasible, such as a solar installation.

Too many people visit the island with grand ideas, he said, but few with any real skin in the game.

Theyre supposed to come up with redevelopment, Fazzone said of the island managers, but Im not sure organizing camping trips … qualifies as redevelopment.

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8 Sentenced over Amusement Park Accident in S China

Eight people were given jail terms over an amusement park ride accident in south China that killed six people and injured another 10 in June 2010, local authorities said Thursday.

The eight people received jail terms ranging from 18 months to five years after being convicted of violating safety codes that led to the deadly accident in Shenzhen, a boomtown neighboring Hong Kong, according to the ruling of the Peoples Court of Yantian District in Shenzhen.

An investigation found that a screw fracture on the Space Journey ride facility caused a cabin to become dislocated and fall to the ground as it was elevated and spinning at a high speed at the Overseas Chinese Town East Resort (OCT East) on June 29, 2010.

The court found that several safety code violations in the design, construction, installation and maintenance of the ride facilities led to the accident.

The ride simulates the conditions of a rocket launch. It elevates and spins 11 cabins holding four passengers each.

OCT East covers an area of nine square kilometers and is operated by OCT Enterprises Co., a state-owned company involved in real estate and hotel development, tourism and electronics manufacturing.