AN old, abandoned amusement park is set to reopen with a new look and purpose. Chippewa Lake Amusement Park , which opened in 1878 and closed in 1978, once featured rides , games , food booths , a hotel , and a ballroom . The park, once a vibrant tourist attraction, has now been abandoned for nearly five decades, but efforts are now underway to transform it into a museum and state park.
Located in Chippewa Lake, Ohio , was once a bustling "pleasure resort," as described by Gayle Foster, the president of the Chippewa Lake Ohio Historical Society. Originally a spot to relax and enjoy natural wonders, it offered activities like swimming and fishing. Over time, the park evolved into a full-theme park with attractions like an old-school roller coaster and picnic areas.
Read More Travel By 1878, the park had become a full-blown amusement destination, providing a century of entertainment before shutting down and being abandoned one hundred years later. The ballroom hosted performances by bandleaders such as Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Lawrence Welk. The park was even a popular destination for company picnics for workers from Firestone, Ohio Edison, Timken, and Rubbermaid.
Notable visitors included Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. FUTURE OF THE PARK But now, the grounds that once held the bustling amusement park will now be turned into a museum, according to a report from The Ohio Newsroom at 91.7 WVXU .
Most read in Travel The museum is a project spearheaded by the Medina County Park District in collaboration with the Chippewa Lake Ohio Historical Society. The museum, according to Foster, will display artifacts from the park in an effort to preserve the history of the area. "The former Chippewa Lake Amusement Park is getting a 'glow up' this season thanks to H2Ohio and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources," the Medina County Parks' Instagram page said when announcing the revitalization efforts.
The post also clarified that the district is working with consultants to revamp the area nearly 50 years after its closure. After the news was announced, one Instagram user shared a memory of their late grandmother renting a cottage at the park and visiting the old ballroom. Another commented on the personal connections and memories the park created, highlighting its priceless impact on the community.
The community's excitement is palpable, with many reminiscing about their experiences at the park. The Medina County Park District and the Chippewa Lake Historical Society have entered a 10-year agreement to bring a museum and new trail entrance to Chippewa Lake Park. The museum will be housed in a former home at 7464 Lake Road in Lafayette Township, where a trailhead will also be established.
The initial phase of construction, set to begin next year, will open public access to the former amusement park, transforming it into a county park. This phase includes parking, trails, restrooms, and picnic shelters on the 95-acre property. While the new park will focus on recreation without amusement rides, the park district plans to preserve the amusement park's Ferris Wheel as a static display.
Foster expressed her enthusiasm about the project, saying, "We are beyond pleased to partner with Medina County Park District in restoring the site on the former farm of Parker Beach, a name synonymous with Chippewa Lake. Read More on The US Sun "Over the past decade, we have collected photos, memorabilia, and oral histories. We are excited to finally have a museum to display and share our finds with the community and beyond," she continued.
Foster believes that the rebirth of the old Chippewa Lake Park as a museum and county park will not only preserve its rich history but also provide a new place for the community to gather and create new memories..
