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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
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Conneaut Lake Park - A Valuable Asset
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While many new developments across the United States try to create from scratch or re-create an atmosphere of places long gone, Conneaut Lake Park is an existing facility, that with proper direction and financing could possibly be the basis or foundation of a unique new development. It really is the real thing.
It may be said that CLP's vitality could quite possibly be the result of its many assets working together. In 1892, the founders of CLP, then known as Exposition Park, knew that a mixed-use facility would contribute to its stability and popularity. Through the evolution of CLP in its 115 years it continued to offer the same basic and key factors.
While other similar, summer resorts or amusement parks folded years ago, CLP has "bucked the trend", largely in part because of its varied package of assets.
The following are a list of CLP's assets and how they help to create one unique valuable asset that is Conneaut Lake Park.
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A Cultural Asset
CLP is a unique piece of America's cultural landscape. At one time amusement parks were so common, that over 2,000 were operating in the United States. With shrinking hometown populations, rising insurance costs, fires, and the formation of the "Theme Park", good old hometown, often family owned amusement parks have become a rarity. People are forgetting about the charming, carefully aged hometown parks in their search for the latest thrills and technology.
A Recreational Asset
CLP is a place that is a hub of recreational activities that include ,but are not limited to boating, fishing, sunbathing, golfing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, riding amusement rides, enjoying entertainment, night clubbing, visiting museums, dancing, partying, picnicing, camping,
A Natural History Asset
CLP's location on Pennsylvania's largest natural lake, makes it a Natural History Asset. This location is not typical for an amusement park.
Conneaut Lake was created by the ice-age glaciers, that carved the region nearly a thousand years ago. Because the deep cold waters Conneaut Lake have preserved nearly anything that sank to its bottom, the lake can safely be called "Mother Natures Refridgerator." Conneaut Lake's waters preserved extinct creatures such as five whooly mammoth remains and a woodland elk - all of which have been pulled from the lake's almost freezing cold depths. How many treasures are yet to be found in the bottom of Conneaut Lake?
Nearly a thousand years ago, Conneaut Lake and the nearby wetlands were a magnet for local indian hunters. Today, thousand year old spearpoints can still be found in around the area and CLP.
An Economic Asset
While nearby Meadville can boast manufacturing facilities, the economy of the Conneaut Lake resort area has been driven by visitors and tourists. As early as the 1870s hunters and fisherman were brought to the area by railroad. What was then known as Lynce's Landing was the humble beginnings of what was the predecessor of Exposition Park and later, Conneaut Lake Park which was the true beginnings of tourism as an economic force in the area.
The early railroad saw the economic impact of tourism and constructed Exposition Park at the end of a newly constructed railroad spur that was built for the sole purpose of increasing ridership on their railroad. Investors in this early resort also saw the potential for making a good return on their investment.
The new resort flourished as more and more people from the Pittsburgh area realized the value offered, coupled with the opportunity to escape the busy and smoky metropolitan areas in search of a rural retreat.
The increased number of visitors created a diversity of employment opportunities and greater demand for local good production and services. The adjunct businesses that sprang up because of the park in its early formative stages are still in existance in some form and comprise the Conneaut Lake resort area. The number of small, independantly owned businesses that still exist are a result of the early Park.
According to Juanita Hampton, director of the Crawford County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCCVB), CLP has a $17 million impact on the county's economy. She continues that for every dollar spent by tourists, another $7 is spent on in "spin-off" money.
The CCCVB also states that tourists who visit the region don't stay in one place; they go to other places like Meadville, Cambridge Springs, Titusville and Pymatuning.
An Historical Asset
As the slogan states "Take a Ride Back In Time", CLP really is a step into yesteryear. Many assets within the CLP property, one of a kind rides and buildings, make it an historical gem.
Amusement Rides
• Antique Mueller Carousel, 1910 (and 1925 Artizan Band Organ that is one of two known surviving in the world)
• Tumble Bug, 1925 (one of two surviving in the world)
• Flying Scooter, 1940s
• Blue Streak wooden roller coaster, 1938 (still uses its original cars and braking system
• Kiddieland rides, 1940s-1950s.
• Devil's Den, 1967
Buildings
• Hotel Conneaut, 1903 (Victorian, lakeside hotel)
• Dreamland Ballroom, 1909 (Victorian dance pavilion that hosted the big bands, known for its maple floor)
• Old Bowling Alley, 1909 (housed various attractions in its history including the bowling alley, the Fun House, and most recently, the Ultimate Trip (Scrambler ride)
• McClure Farmhouse, 1850s-1860s (original farmhouse that was constructed long before the amusement park/resort)
• Superintendant's Office, 1890s (now a privately owned cottage)
• Carousel Building, 1910
• Old Post Office Building, 1910 (now the main office)
• Fire House, 1910s (now a storage building)
• Beach Club, 1936 (Lakefront night club where Doris Day got her start)
• Miscellaneous Park-Owned Cottages, 1900s-1920s (most are unused and in a need-for-restoration condition)
Miscellaneous
• Lakeland Museum - A heritage center
• Liberty the Second - North America's oldest hydroplane speedboat that is housed in the Lakeland Museum
Conneaut Lake Park is one of three surviving amusement park/summer resorts with a living community within its boundaries. The Park property consists of over 100 residences, most of which are summer cottages that date to the turn of the century.
In the entire package that is Conneaut Lake Park are all these historical assets that make CLP a unique asset that could be utilized in future development.
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