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Originally Posted by comoneymaker
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Thanks for sharing. I have an obsession with amusement parks, so videos like this are really cool to see. My understanding is that the old Elitchs was hundreds of times better than the current bland "corporate" Elitchs.
It's a shame really.... so many classic rides and old trees were lost. Mister Twister was ranked as the best wooden coaster in the world for many years, IIRC.
I also think it's a damn shame that Lakeside amusement park isn't better maintained. That place is a gem...
You walk into Lakeside at night and your jaw simply drops. This traditional amusement park is a stunning visual triumph of art deco architecture and lighting. The amount of design detail in every ride, sign, ticket booth and building is simply amazing.... A single building at Lakeside - the College Inn, for example, would be a signature attraction at any other park. At Lakeside, it's just another building. The marble and pewter counter inside the refreshments building takes awhile to be noticed because of all the other little details inside the building. The cupolas on either side of the Hurricane are exquisite! And forget about Hersheypark's Lightning Racer, the Cyclone station has no equal when it comes to beauty. No other park can match the look of this place at night. The amount of neon and flourescent lighting, complimented by all that gorgeous art deco architecture, creates what is easily one of the most beautiful nighttime theme parks I've ever seen.
And yet Lakeside does not engender any sort of civic pride or support from our city. The history and beauty of this park seems to go unnoticed or unappreciated, as evidenced by some of the disparaging comments I heard from people during my visit last year. It's a shame as the park is so friendly and the rides are decently maintained. The architecture alone unquestionably deserves national amusement park historic status.
"Lakeside is Ghetto." "The rides are unsafe." "Too many Mexicans." (seriously heard someone say that)
And yet I can understand why the people of our city don't like coming here. As pretty as the park is at night, it is equally depressing during the day. In fact this park is clearly struggling to survive. Its wonderful art deco buildings are desperately in need of tender loving care. A coat of paint would do wonders but the budget for any serious repairs would be astronomical.
Fortunately nighttime brings out only the best of this park. In the dark you cannot see the deteriorating buildings, you only see the magnificent architecture. In the dark you cannot see the trash and debris scattered all around the park's perimeter. In the dark you cannot see the Rivieria dance hall and other attractions that have long since been abandoned and uncared for. You don't focus on what you cannot see, you only focus on what's illuminated by the light. And what's illuminated is a dazzling array of art deco shapes whose deteriorating structures are camouflaged by brilliant neon and flourescent. Even the individual ticket booths that have gone unoccupied for years look alive and well. They only look unoccupied at the moment, as if someone were on break and will be back in five.