What is CLP?

CLP - A Valuable Asset

That Indescribable Feeling

Location, Location, Location

WE the Owners? Who owns CLP?

3.6 Acres of CLP Lakefront Property

Fences, Gates, Admission Fees and Carousel Horses...Oh my!

A Future?

If they can do it, why can't we? If they can do it, so can we!

Historical Timeline

Some CLP Links

Perhaps the real questions should be "Can Conneaut Lake Park survive solely as an amusement park?" The short answer is "Probably not."

Although operations in recent years have shown that the park's rides, in their current state, have made money, it will be increasingly difficult for CLP to survive as just an amusement park. Unfortunately, insurance costs will continue to rise and similar amusement facilities will continue to compete fiercely with the latest thrills and technology.

As outlined in the CLP - An Asset page, CLP offers much more than just amusement rides. On the What is CLP page, we continue to explain that CLP cannot be defined as solely an amusement park.

Harry Henninger, whose family owns Kennywood Park in Pittburgh, advised the previous CLP Board of Trustees in 2004 that the key to CLP's success lies not in amusement rides but in special events and festivals.

While many communities offer unique festival-like events once a year, CLP can, because of its location (in a resort area) and its facilities (buildings, grounds AND rides) host many events that could operate during the summer while families are vacationing.

For seventeen years, our small town of Conneaut Lake has built, nurtured, and expanded the Fall Pumpkin Fest. What initially began with one tent in downtown Conneaut Lake has grown into a three day event at CLP with over 100 vendors and craftors, a parade, varied entertainers, and an annual attendance in excess 20,000 visitors. It is also interesting to note that during the Fall Pumpkin Fest, nine of the fifteen adult rides, and all the Kiddieland rides are in operation.

In the 1960s CLP was operating on a competitive level with the major amusement parks across the country, adding the latest thrill rides of the time. CLP's momentum was later broken, as outlined on the Fences, Gates, Admission Fees and Carousel Horses...Oh my! page. Again because of CLP's assets it has a different competitive advantage above other amusement parks.

Can Conneaut Lake Park have a future?

Statistical analysis of the attendance figures and the revenue generated from Special Events point out that "events with rides" bring more guests and create a larger per capita expenditure.