By Karla Sullivan
As the summer season begins to wind down, vacationers are still enjoying the warm weather at more than 400 amusement parks and attractions in the United States. The U.S. amusement park industry generates over 12 billion in revenue and provides jobs to over 500,000 seasonal employees.
Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States that was built in 1846.
In 1943, Lake Compounce purchased a miniature steam railroad designed and built by British actor William Gillette, portrayed as Sherlock Holmes. This enchanting train made its inaugural run the following year when more than 100,000 passengers rode on more than 35 tons of 17 gauge steel track that completely encircled the lake.
The second oldest park still in existence is Cedar Point in Ohio, which started as a beer garden in 1870 and has grown into one of the largest amusement parks. One of the oldest structures is the Cedar Point Lighthouse. It also has the second highest number of roller coasters in one park Called the Switchback Railway; it opened in 1892 as a predecessor to today’s roller coaster and gave passengers their first taste of what was to come.
Idlewild Park in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, is about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh and was founded in 1878 as a campground along a railroad line, with picnicking, dancing and fishing. The 1930’s decade brought thousands of planted trees and the park added a circle swing, a Whip, a miniature railroad, and in 1938, the Philadelphia Toboggan Company Rollo Coaster. World War II and the resulting rationing forced the park to close in 1943. Upon reopening in 1946, the park added the Caterpillar and a small showboat that sailed in Lake Bouquet.
Olde Idlewild is still in existence centered on the park’s Philadelphia Toboggan Company Carousel. Two band organs provide the Carousel’s music: an Artizan Style D and a Wurlitzer Caliola. The music of these two organs, which are played on a regularly alternating basis, can be heard throughout Olde Idlewild and the lower parking areas. Olde Idlewild contains many of the park’s traditional amusement rides. On the parking lot side of the Merry-Go-Round is the wooden Roller Coaster, built with lumber from the park using a sawmill built nearby specifically for the project.
Olde Idlewild contained a Caterpillar ride until 2013.
Built in 1947, Idlewild’s model was one of three similar rides still in operation in North America, one of two featuring a working canopy that covers the riders, and the only one that still utilized an undercarriage fan. The ride is being refurbished.
According to the National Safety Council in 2012, about 300 million people visited approximately 373 sites and a total of 1,347 injuries were reported.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 54 percent of the injuries occurred on family and adult rides, a decrease of 13 percent from 2011. Roller coaster injuries, which are counted separately, accounted for 38.2percent of all injuries, up 27.2 percent from the previous year. The remaining eight percent of injuries occurred on children’s rides, down 41 percent from a year earlier.
Recent reports have shown that this summer has not been the best year for major theme parks due to accidents.
No one federal agency has jurisdiction over safety standards for fixing amusement park rides nor do they investigate serious accidents or require parks to correct problems that may lead to rider injuries.
However, a membership in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), a trade organization, promotes amusement park safety and lobbies for industry interests at both state and federal levels.
IAAPA is the industry voice for safe operations and offers many safety resources for amusement parks, water parks and other attractions. They encourage members to follow safety training procedures and recommended maintenance for all amusement park rides.
IAAPA created a list of amusement ride safety tips for guest use:
· Obey listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions.
· Observe all posted ride safety rules.
· Keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times.
· Remain seated in the ride until it comes to a complete stop and you are instructed to exit.
· Follow all verbal instructions given by ride operators or provided by recorded announcements.
· Always use safety equipment provided and never attempt to wriggle free or loosen restraints or other safety devices.
· Parents with young children should make sure that their children understand safe and appropriate ride behavior.
· Never force anyone, especially children, to ride attractions they don’t want to ride.
· If you see any unsafe behavior or condition on a ride, report it to a supervisor or manager immediately.
