Fond Memories

Summer Nights at Palisades Park

What a wonderful site! While I was visiting the site, I actually cried. Remembering the times I spent there in my youth are some of the best memories of my life.

I lived in Jersey City, NJ and my father used to take us there at least once a year, more if he did not get laid off from work. I remember the airplane glider. You steered it by the sail that was attached. I used to get so frightened when it went over the water. Of course the fun house was the most fun I had ever had. The tilted floors, and the way the floor collapsed if you did not go down the slide. But my most favorite was the Lake Placid Bobsled ride. The caterpillar ride used to scare the wits out of me when the cover would come over the ride.

It was a place that can never be copied. I remember doing ballroom dancing with my father there. How grown up I felt dancing with all of the adults. My grandmother used to go there quite often before she became ill. She used to like the gambling tables. She won my very first doll house there, as well as stuffed toys, food, beautiful dolls etc.

As a teenager, spent many summer nights at Palisades Park. You could go there every day and never get bored. I feel bad that only one of my 3 children got to experience what is was like to go to Palisades Park. I was able to bring my son on the last day that they were opened. I feel sorry for my grandchildren that they will never experience such a wonderful place. The amusement parks of today can in no way compare with the atmosphere of Palisades Park. The food, the rides, the music and a salt water pool that actually had waves. The Clay Cole show for teenagers was magical.

Oh, if only we could go back to that time and stay forever.

Thank you for having this site. I am sure it brings back wonderful memories for soooooo many. I have tears, yes, but they are tears for a wonderful time in my life that I wish I could share with my children and grand children

Thanks for the memories....

Laura Grosskopf Ayala