Luna Park revival - Please sign the petition (Scranton: images, online)

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by WasPA

Rocky Glen's site would be ideal, but it ain't gonna happen now that Glen Maura has taken over.......

I don't think it's glen maura that's expanding, I heard it was a local contractor. The idea was to have moderately sized, nice homes with an older population.

[WasPA]

^^^so there's no misunderstanding I don't know of any "expansion" of GlenMaura (or anyone) into the area once occupied by Rocky Glen. That idea probably started as per this:

Originally Posted by scrantonluna

Most of what was rocky glen is being turned into a housing community as we speak.

...then Scranton Wilkes-Barre applied the word 'expansion' to the notion in his subsequent post.

So to clarify, without knowing whether or not there exists any proposal to expand Glen Maura, as such, my point is that the existing Glen Maura denizens would be very likely to block the installation of an amusement park within such close proximity to their McMansioned lives......

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by WasPA

my point is that the existing Glen Maura denizens would be very likely to block the installation of an amusement park within such close proximity to their McMansioned lives......

Very true; I would have to think that the congestion that follows the PGA tour, the concert series, and now the Yankees would make them opposed to any additional venues on the mountain. Should the concert pavillion be relocated, however, Sno Mtn. woud have the land and the parking to accomodate an amusement park.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by WasPA

if Knoebel's can thrive so beautifully (and it does! it taken decades to evolve to its present size and scope ), why not a NePA park?

I also wanted to mention where I think a park of this nature would need to be headed. Yes, Knobels is quite successful, but I do not think that a revised Luna should be nothing more than kiddie rides with moon logos dotting the landscape. Slocum Hollow failed to make it long term, and I really cannot say why, other than the fact that I never bothered to visit the place since I do not have small children and larger rides were never advertised.

Probably the best approach would be to get your main attractions in, such as the shoot-the-chutes ride, wooden rollercoaster, arcade, dodgem's, fun house, carousel, etc. while space would be cleared for the smaller rides. The kiddie section could then be leased out to a local company like Montana Bros. with instructions that a few of the rides be swapped out every few months to maintain interest. A 'game of chance' midway would be developed in a similar vein, with familiar carnival attractions changed out in intervals. Picnic grounds would also be key.

But what the original had, and what the remake will need, is adult and/or different attractions. Luna had hosted boxing matches, and I can't think of a bigger local entertainment draw that could be delivered weekly. Variations of the 'Party in the Park' could be held, instrumental concerts, annual events, etc. Also important would be keeping the park going in the winter time. Changing out the strings of lights to xmas colors, having 'santa' and others, carolers, horse-drawn carriages, all could all easily be done. Specialty gift shops could be seasonally operated, reverting back to summer concessions as the seasons change. The shoot-the-chutes pond should have the ability to become an ice skating rink, and possibly a variation of the original dance hall could be used as a semi ski lodge in the winter, offering parents a chance to relax in warmth as they watch their child skate.

As I said (maybe in the other post) key to this is that the park be able to be reached by trolley line or steamtown excursions. This way, tourists who find their way to either attraction will have the option of being shuttled directly to the park.

Again, it might and probably will never happen, but I can't see it being anything short of successful if setup in that manner.

[WasPA]

Interesting. As you probably know, many of the old amusement parks were built by trolley companies to increase business....was true of Rocky Glen, Sans Souci in Hanover Township (s/w. of Wilkes-Barre --where Hanover H.S. is now located). And Hanson's Park at Havey's lake was reached by excursion trains that took tourists there to sunbathe and use the lake, etc. They had casinos, pavillions for dances and entertainers such as Frankie Valli, even Neil Diamond appeared at Sans Souci when he was first starting out. So, adult entertainment is definitely the order of the day---beyond just rides.

There was another park at Hunlock's Creek called Croop's Glen (their carousel is now at Knoebels) that ran before my time...my Dad went there. Not far from Hazleton were Lakewood Park and Lakeside Park for swimming, amusement rides and appearances by 'big bands' like the Dorsey Brothers (who hailed from nearby Shenandoah.... ah, the good old days......).

I understand that the original Luna Park, like the Luna Park at Coney Island had quite an exotic flair, mystical....moorish, fancifully lighted.....it's be nice to think that such a park would succeed again, but, I dunno...it would have to be updated for today's appetites.....

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by WasPA

Interesting. As you probably know, many of the old amusement parks were built by trolley companies to increase business. They had casinos, pavillions for dances and entertainers such as Frankie Valli, even Neil Diamond appeared at Sans Souci when he was first starting out. So, adult entertainment is definitely the order of the day---beyond just rides.

Yes, casinos. I was holding off on this part of it, as I didn't know what the reaction would be, but I think the best chance of doing this is to link in with a casino. It's a whole theme, just waiting to be implemented. It also ties into the access by rail idea, as the new commuter rail in progress would allow people in NY and NJ to hop a train and visit the casino and park, all in one location.

A couple pics of the park if you are unfamiliar with it:

[NYRangers 2008]

scrantonluna, I'm not originally from Scranton, so I didn't grow up here. Where exactly was the original Luna Park and what were the main attractions there? When did the park close?

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

scrantonluna, I'm not originally from Scranton, so I didn't grow up here. Where exactly was the original Luna Park and what were the main attractions there? When did the park close?

The park was near Nay Aug, off the east side of the park and on the other side of roaring brook. It operated from 1906 to 1916, and I-81 covers most of the original site today. You can do a little further reading here: Luna Park - Scranton, PA The historical society also has a book you can purchase for about $14 with more detailed info.

[NYRangers 2008]

Ok then, near where the bridge and treehouse are now, but on the other side.

From the pictures it looks like it was a pretty happening park in it's hey day.

[scrantonluna]

Originally Posted by NYRangers 2008

Ok then, near where the bridge and treehouse are now, but on the other side.

From the pictures it looks like it was a pretty happening park in it's hey day.

It was a little further down, but you have the right idea. It, like everything else back then, was plagued by fires. They had a good one and rebuilt, and when it reopened they had advertised free admission but still wanted money for either the rides or to get in, one aspect of it wasn't free. As a result the public in attendance rioted and destroyed what was left. The park's insurance had just recently lapsed, and the site was abandoned.