CLPlover

A sad day for the park. This is one of the greatest examples of an old RR park. I had the opportunity to serve on the board of the park in 2003-2005, this park can be saved but needs to get a developer in to help it over come the financial issues. Operating costs to open are about 300,000 per year, the debt is 2.5 Million most of which is tax related and a penn vest loan that needs to be repaid. Bottom line is that the answer to the problems are there...no one wants to admit it though because of the resistance to change that exists in the area. THe main legal issue with the park is the 999 year leases on the cottages that are in the park, the water system and general infrastructure of the park operations also are a mess. The ultimate trip building is not usable (on the other side of the midway from where the DLBR stood.) The Blue Steak, The bug, and carousel are all worth the trouble of saving this park. Kiddy land is also one of the best around. I would say they could sell the water slides and use that money to help pay off some of the debt. There is a large area of undelveloped land that could be used for new rides, etc. The hotel needs major work to get it to code. Finally, the whole public trust issue is what saves the park, but stops it from moving forward. Bottom line is that know really can figure out what can and can't be done with this property. The local judge is trying to make decisions as to what can and can't be done. The county needs to step forward, take the park on back taxes, appoint and authority and develop the park the right way for public use. THey can get grants and loans this way and still be able to save the important historical rides and parts of the park like the hotel, the BS, Carousel and the bug. THe park would then be operated by a company that would lease the operations from the county and give the county more $ than they are getting from the taxes not being paid on the property.