The current state of Conneaut Lake Park [CLP]

Conneaut Lake Park as we remember is no more.

I recently took a stroll down memory lane and found that what is left of the park is essentially just rotting away.

A once vibrant park has been reduced to parking lots and empty fields. The entire front half of the park has been wiped out, including the Blue Streak, Paratroopers, the train, the water park and even the park’s main entrance gates.

Todd Joseph, the park’s current owner, has made it very clear that he doesn’t plan to keep the park alive. What remains has been sitting with very little upkeep. Fortunately, the core intersection of the park still exists. The two remaining stars of this park are The 1905 D.C. Müller/T.M. Harton Carousel and the incredibly rare, 1968 Pretzel Dark Ride known as The Devil’s Den.

For those unfamiliar with Conneaut, the park dates back to 1892 and was once a popular destination for families and roller coaster enthusiasts alike. The Blue Streak was something truly special. This 1938 woodie was designed by Ed Vettel and offered a “balls-to-the-wall” experience that you can’t replicate with modern rides. Without a proper send off, the coaster was burnt to the ground by the current owner, being completely erased from the park.

It seems that Todd has recently ripped out the remaining children’s rides with the exception of the Allan Hershel kiddie coaster, which seems to be too far gone to save at this point.

The Bumper Cars, Octopus and Tilt-a-Whirl are the last flat rides standing. Recent loses include the Tumble Bug, (which was one of the last two remaining in the world) along with their entire Water Park and a lengthy list of vintage flat rides.

It was a bit surreal seeing CLP is this condition. Once full of tall oak trees, flower beds and fountains, what’s left now sits in an ugly field full of gravel and mud.

While this may be a bit of a bleak post….not all of the changes have been bad. The historic Hotel Conneaut has received a MUCH needed refurbishment. The shoreline has also been cleaned up and improvements have been made to the beach.

I couldn’t tell you how long Devil’s Den and the rest of the park has left….but if they do open this year, I strongly recommend stopping by. The Devil’s Den is an absolute Gem and deserves a bright future. CLP is never going to be the same, thanks Todd.