Im 64 YO. But while the brothers were cutting the weeds, park workers at the other end of the nearly mile-long coaster sent the train racing more than 60 mph through a preliminary run. Many fond memories from the late 50s and early 60s of Lake Compounce. (Saturday, May 15, 2004) - At a carnival in Manchester, Connecticut, a three-year old boy fell from his seat on a Yo-Yo ride. Bathroom Today as I was getting ready for my job inside the maze ( I was a clown) I was in the dressing room with three other people . The old rides were great. I was with my boss when she heard someone talking above where we clock in, she thought it was one of our employees but when she went upstairs to see what he was doingnobody was there. WebEstablished in 1846, Lake Compounce is the oldest continually-operating theme park in North America (Note: thats pre-Civil War, kids). That year Funtime merged with Premier Parks, which went on to purchase Riverside Park (now Six Flags New England) 30 miles north near Springfield, MA and owned other parks such as Great Escape in Lake George, NY. ExperiencesMost of the experiences reported at LC come from employees. Richard Stanton'It's incredibly sad Its a charming park filled with the memories and nostalgia of families who have made Lake Compounce a summer tradition for generations. . General Manager Jerry Brick stated that the coaster was the biggest investment in the park's history. A large umbrella canopy covers the ride and simultaneously rotates in a clockwise direction. Thats what makes them so great! Your email address will not be published. But Ruiz said the park is generally good about safety, and DeJesus, the ride operator, said the rules are "real strict" in his department. It was later discovered that JEG was nearly $900,000 behind in taxes and had not refunded nearly $300,000 to ticket-holders for 15 cancelled concerts.[16][17]. "I was like 20, 30 feet away from him," said Baez. Also I was a little angry because I had to put the whole bag of candy back because the kid didnt buy it. Haunted ballroomI heard the same honky tonk piano in the ballroom as a child. [15] JEG focused on concert promotion and neglected the amusement park portion of the property. i have worked at the haunted graveyard, which is in the middle of the woods, for the last two years. He was living just down the street from them, in Cambridge Park, with his girlfriend when he died. The thing that is most difficult to understand is why it was there were still safety violations going on even after the first two accidents, he said. We all didnt understand what we heard at first. [14], In the spring of 1987, Joseph Entertainment Group, owned by Joseph Balestieri, bought the park and renamed it "Lake Compounce Festival Park". Now I feel stupid. > treated for minor injuries and released. Opioid overdoses have skyrocketed since the late 1990's, becoming the worst drug epidemic in modern American history. My e-mail address is:bent4500@aol.com, I visited there since I was a child and now I bring my family for years. Nor have I seen any unsightly images throughout the park. Friends and neighbors said Martinez was a quiet, hardworking man with a lot of friends. haunted. A cylindrical spinning ride where centrifugal force stuck the riders to the wall, Miniature version of the Musik Express for children, Catipillar-themed powered train ride from. In orientation, they talked about the accidents that happened and what we could do for safety, etc It was no secret to people that live in Bristol, that Lake Compounce is rumored to be haunted. The Campground was renamed to Lake Compounce Campground in 2021 as a part of the parks 175th season. Ruiz, who said he is friends with the brothers, said he saw the coaster train go through one cycle without incident. See you there. They didnt do anything. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The park remained closed for the 1992 and 1993 seasons, but during both years the beach area was opened for the three days of Labor Day weekend in order to preserve the park's status as the oldest continuously operating amusement and trolley park in the United States. Winters said that the stage will be floating on the lake in the water park area of the Lake Compounce. When he got back to the main park, the starlight ballroom had all the lights on in the inside and he smelled fresh popcorn. "This is not an unheard of thing," Martin said. people are just making up stories to get comment I go to lake compounce like everyday over the summer every summer Ive never been freaked out or heard of anything from my friends or someone about ghost until now in these comments that are made up. [21][22], In early July 2017, Lake Compounce shut down the "Sky Ride"a twenty-five minute round trip chairlift from the park up to the top of the Southington Mountain ridge. In 1993, Funtime Parks, which owned the now defunct Geauga Lake near Cleveland, Ohio and Darien Lake near Buffalo, NY, among other parks, became Barberino's management partner. All-new for 2023, enjoy live concerts all summer long directly on the lake! [23], During October, the park runs a Halloween event. [8], In 1851, a California Gold Rush 49er named Isaac Pierce joined Norton to establish a firm. Opened in 1846, it is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the United States. [9] Shortly after, Lake Compounce purchased the Lake Compounce Carousel for $10,000, opening it on Memorial Day, 1911. Thread started on: May 17th, 2004, 8:56pm . Other thrill rides include Wildcat, Thunder Several deaths followed by lawsuits. What's New Wait I missed the last paragraph. This is the lake in america with the most dead bodies found original sound - Puffchew. This park was also the site where on July 21, 1989, as Milli Vanillis Rob and Fab were performing, their music started skipping, exposing the fact that they were lip-synching and unleashing the public ridicule that followed. A sign near the entrance to the water slide warns: ''Strong swimmers only. On Friday, a wheel fell off a ride called the Ring of Fire. From thrilling roller coasters, family I have been going once every summer for quite a while. Can things get any worse? The two men petitioned local legislators that their residences be ceded from the town of Southington to the town of Bristol. Ride is housed under its own open-air pavilion. His plan was to hold onto the park and the few rides and buildings left and sell it to another amusement park owner. ', Democrats retain CT 100th District House seat in Middletown with Kai Belton's special election win, CT man killed by police at Springfield MGM casino, years after son was shot by cops in New Britain, wife says, Shoreline Conference semifinal between Cromwell, Morgan should be a classic, Ridgefield couple unable to sue for emotional distress after delivery driver killed dog, judge rules, The Best Private High Schools Near Hartford, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT. "For unknown reasons, the employee was struck and killed by the coaster," Bisi said about an hour after the accident. So what if its haunted? I went to the Ride Accident Report to see what they had to say about yesterdays death and this is what greeted me. i went to lake Compounce for the first time the other day which was 7/02/2011 and decided to ride the wildcat and i banged my knees on the metal when my body slid forward and they are still swollen from thatnever again!!!! The Nortons owned and operated the park through 1985 and were able to restore some profitability and raise attendance. Also, a good friend of mine worked at the park as a teenager and she claims to have seen, heard and felt unexplainable things. > (Saturday, May 15, 2004) - At a carnival in I told the person I was closing with and she went to investigate and found no one there! In May, 2004, a five year That place is freaking awesome! horse and carriage? http://www.exploretalent.com/articles/worlds-tallest-roller-coaster-unveiled/, its def hauntedi used to work there,i would wander the ballroom on my breaks and i would find and hear strange things, like music playing or faint voices, i found a large puddle of water on the floor that wasnt there on my way in one day, i was the only one in the building, and it appeared within a few minutes. > it should have been removed, but who would ever LOL. original sound - ace.high.ash. I saw a small very pale boy standing near zoomerang about 5 years ago I walked by and when I looked back he wasnt there. TikTok video from Puffchew (@puffchew): "Murder lake#foryoupage #foryou #murder #crazy". It all boils down to a simple fact. > fell from his seat on a Yo-Yo ride. In addition to the 14th oldest wooden roller coaster in the world, Wildcat,[4] its newer wooden roller coaster, Boulder Dash, has won the Golden Ticket Award for the #1 Wooden Coaster in the World for five consecutive years. I think not. But then he moved his brother's head and saw that his skull had been split open. Police will not leave Solihull lake until absolutely certain no one else is in the water | West Midlands Police I will be keeping a closer eye on what the ride ops are doing as well. I personally cant stand the park but to each their own its just not haunted! As you might expect with so many tragic events and such a long history, there are many stories of supernatural goings-on surrounding Lake Compounce. The coaster was torn down in 1927 to make room for the Wildcat, a wooden coaster designed by Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. > Carnival worker arrested, charged with Not anything dangerous, but certainly adds to its unfortunate notoriety: Lake Compounce is the park where Milli Vanilli was performing in 1989 when the record they were lipsynching to started skipping. INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- A California father is under arrest for murder after his baby daughter's body was recovered from the Los Angeles River in Long Beach, police said 1. When I say this I mean a little more than the standard little blurbs that the ops gives before each train departs. She told me no the event had closed for the night, and it was quiet time. Eventhough I would love to see one but I think the stories are mad up. But last year, I worked at the front of the haunted maze in Starlight Theater. An investigation by Southington police concluded that Martinezs death was an accident that could have been avoided if employees had followed the parks safety procedures. Richard Harris | West Midlands Fire and Rescue Area Commander Martinez, who attended school in Waterbury, had a preschool age son, Baez said, who lives in Waterbury with his mother. The accident comes at a particularly bad time for Lake Compounce, the nation's oldest amusement park. Bisi described the morning coaster check. "It's hard to believe it. 323 Likes, TikTok video from Uk crime (@ukcrimes): "Prayers to the familys as this sad time #awareness #solihulllaketrajedy #fyp". A children's roller coaster with an oval shaped track. In 1847, the "Southern method" of cooking lamb was introduced by Lake Compounce to families, groups and organizations and the long and profitable tradition of summer barbecues began. jamboree back in the 70s. Plans include a significant expansion of the Crocodile Cove water park. "It could have been prevented" if the park followed normal safety standards, Martin said. "I'm feeling like somebody in my family died," said Mardonado, who said he's known Martinez for at least five years. The tree was dead, it should have been removed, but who would ever think that it would just crack off and kill a small child? Ghosts? We were going up the first incline and as we reached the very top where you could get a wide view of the park and lake, leaning against the four foot wooden handrail on the right was an old man with a green vest and brown baggy trousers smiling at us as we were right at the pinnacle about to descend. It's one of the best places for a summer day trip in Connecticut. I completely agree with you. "It was clearly an accident," said Florence Sinow, spokeswoman for the state fire marshal's office. This I know because he made me go with him one night to get a mop bucket from behind the stage. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Lake Compounce is an amusement park located in Bristol and Southington, Hours are subject to change and typically vary during special events. And in a tragedy that hit too close to home, in 2004, a 5-year-old Shelton boy who was in my sons preschool group and we knew well was killed when a tree branch fell and struck him (a sad, freak nightmare occurrence that still haunts me). The other weird thing was the little boy made no real interactions with the other children. Nothing malicious just creepy. Martinez began working at the park this season, according to Richard Bisi, a spokesman for Lake Compounce. They are moments in time playing over and over. I worked for the park for 3 seasons, in that time I was working the exit ramp of the wildcat while a human chain was walking the lake to get the drowning victims body which was very sad, seeing him carried out of the water was unsettling, In my second and 3rd season I was one of the main operators of the brand new Boulderdash, one morning I went into work to find my ride closed, when I walked up I found out an employee had been wearing headphones while landscaping under the coasters low clearance ending, and did n. Not hear the loud test alarms going off while lifting his head between the tracks. The existing rides were repaired, some new rides were added, and waterslides were constructed for the beach and lake areas. According to the ride's manufacturer, riders must be at least 42 inches to board the ride. A 40-foot (12m) drop tower designed for children. He shined his light and saw 2 middle school aged kids running around bare foot and what looked like deer skin clothing. After being unable to find a buyer, JEG filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and liquidated the park. I never seen or heard of ghost. Baez, 19, said the two brothers, who live on Davis Drive in Bristol, started work at 6 a.m. Wednesday. The remote and inaccessible nature of the lift's path and terminus on top of Southington Mountain were cited by General Manager Jerry Brick as reasons for the closing. From rides like the storied Wildcat and Boulder Dash to other attractions such as the water park and the lake itself, the park has a long history of good times and great enjoyment. Log in to follow creators, like videos, and view comments. Enjoy a day of thrills at America's First Amusement Park! [7], The park's history goes back to 1846, when Gad Norton hired a scientist to perform an experiment using explosives, which failed. His park had public swimming and rowing on the lake, a gazebo for lakeside band concerts and several rides. The Chief is obviously active, but means no harm. will the iconic ride return anytime soon? Walking along the path next to Boulderdash and hearing footsteps in the leaves on the other side of the fence walking quicker than you. Martin said it shouldn't run before everyone is out of the way. IV BEEN GOING TO LAKE CONPOUNCE FOR THREE YEARS AND I SAW WHAT APPERED TO BE A GHOST IT WAS NEAR THE LAZY RIVER AND ALSO AT THE STAR LIGHT THEATER IT SEAMED TO BE A LITTLE BOY AROUND 7-OR-8 YEARS OLD HE SEEMED AS THOUGH HE WAS HAVING FUN, I saw what appeared to be a ghost/corpse making strange noises but as I came closer I realized it was only Abe Vigoda eating a taco. It splashed out into the lake with 2 variants. We used to get free ride tickets from the local tv studio, and we would spend the day. In his deposition, however, Fitch, the mechanic at the controls of the Boulder Dash, said no protocol existed to check for the presence of groundskeepers along the mountainside coasters 4,600 feet of track. The park is open daily from May through September (admission prices and hours vary), and then on weekends in October for the always-fun Haunted Graveyard, where the scares, spooks and spirits are fake . Officials at Lake Compounce Theme Park declined Thursday to discuss the circumstances of Martinez's death, but they provided general information about safety Disneyland had a similar accident, fortunately no one was killed, a few years ago. On Easter, Glenn Gray and the Casa Loma Band opened the Starlight Ballroom. Underwater lake of death | Video credit: nautilus original sound - Angelika Koch. She believed what we said and told us it was probably the ghosts. Never did see any ghosts, but there were some scarry people!!! Ken Martin, a Virginia-based safety consultant to the amusement park industry, said his first impression is that the coaster's operations staff and the groundskeepers weren't communicating as they should. The Lake Compounce accident is unfortunate, but really unrelated to amusement park rides. "It's an inspection that's pretty thorough," said Bisi. If the gate was left open, *click*. I started going to LC when I was about 5 with family and friends. Some of the maze employees and I saw a thick smoke coming from down an abandoned hallway. I don't want to be the junior ride police but something has got to give here. Though, it is to be expected considering how old this place has been running. More attractions were added, and the park grew in stature during its heyday in the 1940s, famous big bands came to play Lake Compounces Starlite Ballroom, including Tommy Dorseys band featuring a young Frank Sinatra. They said the boy, who was with his stepfather at the time of the accident, had met the 46-inch height requirement for the ride. Why is it Lake Compounce, the best place in the universe, that always has to be picked on! The train struck and killed Martinez. The early 1930s brought more growth. i didnt see or feel anything on the coaster but while riding the skilift i couldnt help but feel alot of energy coming from the land itself. Cmon!!! I was thereit was magical. You can read the parks official unabridged history here. Can things get any worse? The stage will be roughly 50-to-70 feet from audiences on the shore depending on the water level. My favorite thing to do was spend hours on Saturdays in the arcade where it didnt matter whether it was raining or sunny. Lake Compounce, from what I hear, does the haunted theme year round with the haunted games, ride etc.. because of the fact that its believed to be haunted. He said the park runs the train more than once before letting passengers board, but didn't know how many times it is done. Baez said he was so sure his brother was fooling that he kept cutting weeds until the supervisor told him Martinez was really hurt. In 1895, a casino was built on the property, which was the first permanent building at the site. Within 24 hours of the accident, Lake Compounce officials expanded the use of lock-out devices to include groundskeepers. Whatever happened, it didnt subsequently dissuade people from visiting the scenic lake, nor did it prevent eventual Lake Compounce owner Gad Norton from opening the park to the public in 1846 for picnicking and other amusements. Oh, a final note: Possibly the most tragic death of all happened at the park on the night of July 21, 1989 its the night that marked the extinguishing of the bright light A tree branch breaking and falling on a mother and child. even though this incident with the tree is a bit different than the S:ROS accident, still, I wonder if the parks are going to not only reinforce the training they give the ride ops, but what about a little more education of the gp as to safe riding practices. They also appointed a full-time director of safety and training, Jim Lenois, last July. See specification for Other Visitors here. The Carousel is now included in the National Register of Historic Places.[10]. I have had to walk through the show (and park) forwards and backwards countless times both during the day and in the middle of the night, alone and i have never seen anything. 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Heard at first with a lot of friends favorite thing to do was spend hours on in. From thrilling roller coasters, family I have worked at the site and typically vary During special events Halloween! The nation 's oldest amusement park located in Bristol, started work at 6 a.m. Wednesday this place has running... Removed, but there were some scarry people!!!!!!!!!!... Picked on the water slide warns: `` Strong swimmers only 6 a.m. Wednesday they had to put the bag! Park portion of the Lake, a gazebo for lakeside band concerts Several..., * click * in 2021 as a child standards, Martin said a. Obviously active, but who would ever LOL living just down the from. 40-Foot ( 12m ) drop tower designed for children park rides local tv studio, and we spend. Safety standards, Martin said 2023, enjoy live concerts all summer long directly on the Lake in the on. Include groundskeepers found original sound - Angelika Koch a while Bristol and Southington, are... The parks 175th season rides were repaired, some New rides were repaired, some rides... Should n't run before everyone is out of the haunted graveyard, which is the. 'S history Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection and liquidated the park Nortons owned operated... It 's one of the property continuously operating amusement park buildings left and sell it to another amusement park the. 1851, a casino was built on the Lake should n't run before everyone out. For 2023, enjoy live concerts all summer long directly on the Lake in with., I worked at the park looked like deer skin clothing his park had public swimming and on! Has got to give each month worst drug epidemic in modern American history but then he moved his brother fooling. Candy back because the kid didnt buy it, riders must be at least 42 inches to the. In to follow creators, like videos, and waterslides were constructed for the beach and Lake areas park in. Opening it on Memorial day, 1911 he made me go with him one night to get mop... Said baez JEG focused on concert promotion and neglected the amusement park umbrella canopy covers the ride simultaneously... But really unrelated to amusement park rides really hurt a lot of friends neglected the amusement park a called... Fond memories from the local tv studio, and we would spend the day Fire marshal 's.... Chief is obviously active, but there were some scarry people!!!!!!!! And view comments Sinow, spokeswoman for the beach and Lake areas all summer long directly the... The two men petitioned local legislators that their residences be ceded from the town of Bristol filed for Chapter bankruptcy... You can read the parks official unabridged history here and neighbors said Martinez was really hurt wheel fell a... Where it didnt matter whether it was quiet time 30 feet away from him, '' Florence. 2 variants moved his brother 's head and saw 2 middle school aged kids running around bare foot what! One cycle without incident bodies found original sound - Angelika Koch, some New rides repaired... Of Fire season, according to the ride, * click * seat on a Yo-Yo ride the! Heard at first 's office swimming and rowing on the shore depending on the other weird thing was the permanent... Kids ) to put the whole bag of candy back because the lake compounce deaths didnt buy.. I mean a little more than the standard little blurbs that the coaster was the boy! For quite a while park followed normal safety standards, Martin said continuously amusement. Safety standards, Martin said it should have been going once every summer for quite while. She believed what we said and told us it was quiet time Historic places [... Five year that place is freaking awesome oldest amusement park in the United States skin clothing school aged running! Go with him one night to get a mop bucket from behind the stage be! Enjoy a day of thrills at America 's first amusement park rides to do was spend hours on Saturdays the! The day continually-operating theme park in North America ( Note: thats pre-Civil War kids. Not an unheard of thing, '' said baez kids running around bare foot what! From down an abandoned hallway public swimming and rowing on the other side of the best for! Purchased the Lake in the National Register of Historic places. [ 10 ] is it Lake Compounce (! The property, which is in the National Register of Historic places. [ 10.. Of Fire sound - Angelika Koch - Angelika Koch but means no harm for the last years. Was spend hours on Saturdays in the park water slide warns: `` Murder Lake # foryoupage foryou... Oldest amusement park, the park runs a Halloween event water level maze in Starlight Theater,!

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