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Good morning...or afternoon to you late sleepers! When you put it like this I agree, I love nature. ("I love the outdoors, whenever i'm not indoors that's where you'll find me." - Frank Burns) The problem I have nowadays is no matter how much I like seeing exotic animals, I can't get it out of the back of my head how much happier most of them would be out in the wild. But that would make you old...too! Today’s photo set is a slightly different...because it’s not quite in the park. 1974 I have some fond memories of the trams...it seemed so magical to wait and board them and be taken to the park. (Although now that I am older I can’t imagine wasting my time waiting for one when I could just walk and be at the entrance faster. ) The two things that caught my attention in this photo are: A. The boy in his tube socks...oh what a time period...the boys of today don’t know what they missed having those “cool” fashion accessories. (The only downside of having the striped socks is that you had to find a matching pair...nowadays I just grab any two white socks in my drawer.) B. The lady on the back of the tram looking up...it’s like she’s just thinking “I wonder if it’s gonna rain today”. 2011 Where would I rather be today...1974 or 2011? Well if I base it solely on these two photos I would say that I would go for 2011 because I think the trams are a waste of gas...BUT I would choose 1974 if I could reach into the picture and grab me one of those old Scooby Doo parking signs! Thanks for all of the comments!

I was a major part of getting historic looking signs and poles added to my historic neighborhood but (lock-n-load JD), some of the landscaping in those 74 shots would be so gaudy today. Times change. I'm not so sure I agree with the "gaudy" statement. The original intent of this type of landscaping was to bring Europe to Ohio...to see something you wouldn't see anywhere else. If I were to visit Europe today, a main draw would be to the landscapes that are somewhat unfamiliar in the states - namely their centuries old gardens. Sure times change, but there will always exist a subconscious common ground that effects guests senses in either a positive or negative way. The Coney Mall in 74 says "beauty and guest experience first" as a means to draw you back for another visit. I know for most its about the rollercoasters and none of this matters, but for some that's not all that matters when they visit. I just worry how much more vegetation will suffer in order to serve the almighty dollar in years to come. In any case, you can see this kind of landscaping (or lack thereof) just about anywhere...boring I would have loved to see the sculpted ginkgo trees return to this part of the park during this last seasons revamp, but more-so I hope the landscaping will be highly regarded in the future!

This reminds me of when my mom dragged us to Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs when I was a kid. My mom was crazy about the landscaping, my sister and I not so much. Of course, Cypress Gardens had the ski show and Silver Springs had the glass bottom boats that we could look forward to.

I would love if Ohio had a park that looked like Busch Gardens Europe. (Never been to Tampa) Busch Gardens is by far my favorite park.

What went wrong? The park has been acquired by companies that have cared far more about upcharge attractions, 3-point challenges, and price increases than about the overall guest experience.

Can't you just imagine this in the Museum of KI History - JD's photo's as mounted 11x14 prints side by side, with Hendricks fades playing underneath on a tv screen - all surrounding a scale model of the park from the early 70's. In the next room, various signs/ride vehicles/images from rides gone by, followed by ... Sorry, here I go dreaming again - although I still say it would be an awesome attraction.