The giant “Fun Slide” has been a long-time favorite for visitors and is one of 19 different attractions that can be found at Midway Park. (Photo Courtesy of Midway Park)

 For more than a century, Midway Park Amusement Park has provided quality family entertainment for generations of residents and visitors. Located on the shores of northern Chautauqua Lake, the amusement park is a county treasure with its beginnings going all the way back to 1898, when it first opened as a trolley park.  A lot of things have changed since then, but the original charm and hospitality remains at the oldest continually operating amusement park in the nation.

 The first owners of the park constructed playing fields, tennis courts, bath houses and a dance hall to entice customers to ride the trolley on weekends. In 1915, a new building was constructed with a kitchen, a large dining room and space for dancing and roller-skating. Today, this building is home to a museum, gift shop, concession stands and other facilities. “You can find everything from artifacts dating to the beginning of the century to old photographs,” explains Andrew Hillman, who’s served as the park’s manager since 2006. “You can also learn about rides that used to be here like the jackrabbit and water toboggan. The museum is currently part of the gift shop, but the master plan calls for that to have its own, separate area.”

 Hillman says a group of individuals have helped to develop a master plan for the park over the past year and it’s expected to be completed in the next couple of months. “It’s to set the long-term goals and short-term goals that’s going to help us move forward,” he says. “It’s a vision for the park, it’s going to help address some of the ongoing issues as far as parking, pedestrian and vehicular traffic and address future building placement and other renovations.  And it will also attract funding because there will be a definite plan in place.”

 With the initial draft of the plan complete, it will now be submitted to an executive staff in Albany. “We’re hoping they’ll approve it in the next week or so, and then we’ll hold a public meeting for community feedback, probably in the first half of June, before it is finalized. It’s a big accomplishment to have this nearly in place because it will ensure the projects that need to get done will get done and are addressed properly.”

Visitors can take a trip down memory lane with the museum display, located in Midway Park gift shop. (Photo by Jason Sample)

 Hillman also says that there is no plan to expand the park, although they may look to add some other historical pieces to add to the nostalgic feel. “We have 19 rides and attractions, an arcade with redemption games, ski ball, a dock for boaters, six picnic pavilions, a gift shop and museum, and food and beverages,” he says. Many long-time visitors of Midway also remember the roller rink, which won’t be open for the 2009 season, but could see a return as soon as 2010 if the renovation schedule can be met.

 Midway Park isn’t just for kids. Hillman says just about anyone who comes to the park leaves with a smile on their face, regardless of age. Plus, it’s affordable. “We understand it’s a tough time economically for many families so there have not been price increases for this year. Our prices are competitive. You get the same value compared to other amusement parks and it’s close to home.”

 The park has a year-round staff of four individuals, but from Memorial Day to Labor Day, it hires an additional 60 employees, not including food concession, which is contracted through 3C’s Catering of Falconer. “We have a definite impact on the area by employing many people, from high school students to seniors.”

 Midway Park officially opened on May 21, but the rides are only open on the weekends until the end of June, when the rides are in operation five days a week (Wednesday through Sunday). Also throughout June, the Park stays busy with various school picnics from districts in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties, as well as from Pennsylvania. And the Annual Plywood Boat Regatta’s (see Community News for more details) are also scheduled for the final weekend in June.

 For more information on Midway Park or to book a family reunion, picnic, or other gathering, call 386-3165.  Information can also be found online at www.nysparks.com.