Kiddie Park

Most amusement parks added or built up their kiddielands after World War II to give servicemen and women a place to take the Baby-boomer generation for a day of fun. One year before he came to Chester and managed Rock Springs Park, C.C. Macdonald, 20 years ahead of his time, created a kids-only amusement park in San Antonio Texas. According to his son, R.Z., C.C. invested in the Kiddie Park to give out-of-work buddies a place for employment. “Kiddie Park” is still in operation today and is “America's Oldest and Original Kids Amusement Park” having been around for kids since 1925. (Click here to see their website)

So, what Kiddie Rides were in Rocks Springs over the years? Let’s take a look!

The Turnpike Cars
Kiddie Cars
Kiddie Trolley
Kiddie Train (Courtesy of Sherry Emery)
Kiddie Whirlo
Kiddie Ferris Wheel
Kiddie Boats
Boats and Airplanes
Kiddie Airplanes
Rock Springs Kiddie Park Rides 1970

(Unless otherwise indicated, all images courtesy of Rich Brookes from the Clarence O. Durbin Collection)

Homemade Rides

Richard Bowker, the gentleman who shared his collection of seven photo albums of Rock Springs Park postcards and pictures for my book, referred to some of the rides in Rock Springs Park as being “homemade.” He meant, generally, that many of the rides which remained in the upper park during the late 1960s and 1970 were made using everyday construction materials and not factory parts. Specifically, he mentioned the trolley ride (as seen below) which appears to be hand welded with plywood sides and seats.



In the background of the Kiddie Trolley picture one can see the red Kiddie Cars. A closer examination of the image below reveals that the cars are actually store-bought pedal cars that have been set into a permanent “wheelie” so that Junior is not able to steer off the circular base. Like a lot of amusement park Kiddie Rides, the steering wheel is for fun but not function.



The homemade aspect of the rides was not limited to the Kiddie rides. While the Aeroplanes would most likely have been originally manufactured by an amusement ride company, by the time visitors to the park rode them in 1970, they were more replacement part than original, judging from the photographic evidence.



I am not suggesting that homemade rides were any less fun or thrilling than those from the factory. On the contrary, the faces of the children on these rides say it all. In addition, I have listened to plenty of testimonials of those who rode them in later years; many were forbidden to ride the Aeroplanes or the Cyclone, which would have added a heightened sense of danger and thrill overall.

If the video below is to be believed, homemade rides can be a lot of fun. In it, a guy named John Ivers fed up with waiting in long lines at amusement parks, decided to build a roller coaster in his back yard called “The Blue Flash”. This ride features a full 360 degree loop, (but with no overhead restraint), and a 20ft lift hill with custom made motorized chain.