Celebrate the Park

You can't spend time in the Lakes area without celebrating one of our most historic treasures - the Arnolds Park Amusement Park. And today, some celebrating is due.

This week marks the tenth anniversary of the Save the Park campaign that rescued the Arnolds Park Amusement Park from condo-conversion in 1999.

The park's reign in the Iowa Great Lakes nearly came to an end 10 years ago as other attractions began to syphon the tourism dollars that were once spent at the complex. The park's last private operator, Chuck Long, received an attractive offer in 1999. New developers wanted to convert the property into a condominium complex.

The plans sparked an outcry from local residents and in 1999, area leaders launched a "Save the Park" campaign to buy back the land. A group of enthusiasts raised more than $7.5 million. Following the fund-drive, the park was turned over to the Maritime Museum for continued operation.

Each year, during the first weekend in August, many park patrons pause to remember the effort that saved our historic treasure.

Arnolds Park Amusement Park is now considered the oldest amusement attraction in Iowa. It began its development in 1889 with large slide that plunged into West Lake Okoboji, and quickly grew into a regional tourist attraction and was considered a little "Coney Island" of the Midwest. The amusement park now features more than 30 rides and attractions including a 63-foot Ferris wheel, a log ride and the "Legend," a rare 81-year-old wooden roller coaster.

This weekend, as we celebrate the continuing operation of the amusement park, let's celebrate not only the history that has given it such a special place in so many Iowan's hearts, but also the future that we may help attain.

Anitra Wolf is the managing editor of the Dickinson County News. She may be reached at awolf@dickinsoncountynews.com.