Every year the daily hampshire gazette would take the carriers there for a free day at mountain park, usually the middle of july!! Those were fun times and my sister was once stuck on the roller coaster during a thunder storm!! Lots of memories of that park, fireworks and live bands! Thanks for brining back the good times there, jay!
Watched this w/ tears streaming down my face, and laughed a lot too (bumper cars especially)...One of my big regrets in life is that I hadn't been there in years when I was in my 20s, after spending much of my childhood there..then many years after it closed I learned it closed in '88 and I was heartbroken because I hadn't been in so long and missed out on experiencing it again before it closed. I guess I never thought it would close! It had always been there and I thought it always would. I still cannot believe it is gone. Magical place. Magical times.
I just came here from another video on Mountain Park where I left a nearly identical comment to yours!! I didn’t learn that it was closed until 15-20 years after the fact and my first reaction was actually anger that I wasn’t informed by someone, somehow. I guess with a childlike naivety, I had assumed it would exist forever, patiently waiting for me to visit it one steamy summer night. I would’ve travelled from anywhere to go one last time and say goodbye to such a huge part of my childhood, the scene of so many memories. Riverside just didn’t leave the same magical mark on my heart as Mountain Park did, even as a child, I don’t think (admittedly I didn’t visit there nearly as much). Its memory is of an idealized unconditional childhood happiness that can never be replicated and its absence will always be a source of quiet melancholy for me.
@@OneBentMonkey Well said, and I totally agree. Even now I get angry and cannot believe I had no idea of it's closing, but tbh in 1987 I was dating my soon-to-be husband so I guess I had other things on my mind. Truth is, adulting got in the way, in your case too it sounds like. So sad! Now at 62 years old, if the park was still there, I'd be spending so many days/evenings there, riding the Dino Den (my favorite), strolling around, looking at the sights, hearing the sounds, smelling the smells. Certain summer days, or the way the sky/clouds look sometimes, remind me of the Park. At least we have the memories...
I loved Mountain Park! That Rollercoaster sure seemed bigger, faster and scarier when I was a little kid. The good old days for sure ❤️ Thanks for the memories!
Funny cause i was watching a documentary on a place in New Jersey called Action Park that reminded me so much of here when i was a kid brought back alot of good memories check out that video
I do indeed. And if anyone else would like to revive even more Mountain Park memories, on August 26 starting at noon at Holyoke's Heritage State Park, the Merry-Go-Round will be celebrating its 25th anniversary there, and I'll also be unveiling my scale model of the park (still in progress) along with memorabilia and photos at the Visitor's Center.
Thank God that you had he mind back in 1987 to take video like this.This stuff you can't buy, and someone who lives 5 mins from where mountain park was and went there as A child.This is amazing
We used to have yearly Stanley Home Products outings there during the 60s. The video took me back there like it was yesterday. I remember the Mountain Park sign at the entrance off Rt. 5
So many great memories at Mt. Park as a kid in the early 1980’s as my buddy and I used to tag along with his older sisters. We were having the time of our lives and didn’t know it. Thank you for posting this; it’s like a trip back in time.
You were ahead of your time making this video!! What great angles and composition! So many memories at Mountain Park! I fractured my wrist on the bumper cars one Friday night, rode the coaster too many time to count....thank you SO much for the memories! ✨💜🎢🎠
Used to go there as a young teen with my parents saw country music stars to goid times loved the rollercoaster notice better days gone by no drama went out enjoyed the day no cell phones memories of another era to bad
Thanks for posting Jay. This has to be one of the best videos of MP on you tube, no offense to your other post. This is so clean and clear, shows the park at its best, a nice clean fun family park. My family gave up on Riverside in the mid 70’s and this became our new place. Even though we are from CT, dad never took us to Lake Compounce. Now it seems Lake Compounce has this feel as MP, since Six Flags took over Riverside. I really wish I was able to share MP with my kids like my dad and mom did with me. My kids love amusement parks, and thanks to your suggestion a few years ago, we took them to Lake Canobie Park in Salem, NH, and we LOVED IT!!! I thought it was real close to the fell of MP. Thank you!!!
@@jayducharme my complements, do you have anymore footage? Do you know why the park closed? I took a walk through there in the summer of 1998. I don't know if anything remains today. Everything was pretty well damaged. I, however found some memorabilia. Great memories, thanks for posting!
@@georgesabol459 The area is completely empty now, though well-manicured. I did find more footage of the park on RUclips: ruclips.net/video/FKPsPldI_hM/видео.html
Such a great video of the Park the way it used to be. I spent a lot of time there during 60s thru 80s. It's a shame all the small, family amusement Parks are gone. Thanks for not adding a music back track.
Wow, the park appears to be in excellent condition. I assumed it was dilapidated and needed a ton of renovations. Boy, was I wrong! This footage is priceless. I hope somebody has multiple copies in multiple formats so that it never ceases to exist. The Mountain Flyer looks like great fun too! What a shame that it closed.
In the late 1950s, when I was a young boy, my family rented an apartment in our house (across from Wistariahurst) to the man who was managing (?) at the time, Mt. Park. He would give my sister and I free day passes for all the kids at our birthday parties at the Park on our birthdays. Many fond childhood memories. We often went to the fireworks there on 4th of July.
my aunt took me there many times as a kid i can remember alot of good times there was an awesome mirror house at 1x and a fun house w cars cor 2 that would end up on the 2nd floor and come outside briefly even remember trash cans w clowns heads atop that had a suction force to make it all more fun wow my aunt is now 93 and leaving soon but those memorys are still w me thanks for sharing those times
Mark Smith That mirror maze was indeed awesome. The mirror and glass panels could slide out and be rearranged from time to time to keep the maze unpredictable. There’s a nice photo of it here: www.karenandjay.com/mtpark/mphotos/fifties/fifties.html
Jay Ducharme i really appreciate that i will have to take a look when i get home from work it was amazing to watch the videos on something that i think of often but thought it was long forgotten so glad theres others who remember thank you !
John, Mt. Park is now just a found memory of a great past time when the admission to enter Mt.Park was by the car load. All of the rides shown in the video have moved on to other amusement parks through out the world.. The Only ride that still nearby the park is the Carosel which is in down town Holyoke Massachusetts
Went here so many times as a youth. This was before cell phones, internet, social media, and all the BS going on today. Maybe the world was just as crazy, but we def didn’t hear about it all the time. A day at Mt Park was an escape and I loved it. Wish we had something like that around here now. No thanks Six Flags, you can keep your huge crowds and ridiculous prices.
Never been to this place but have been in 50s-60s-70s to similar. Your film brought back so many memories of those wonderful parks. They were glorious and full of wonder to us kids. Very well done sir.
My idea of heaven when I was a kid, it was magical. We went there in the late 60's ~ traveled from W.Chesterfield NH and then visited family who lived in Holyoke. Thanks for the post.
Thank you Mr Ducharme! Love your Mt. Park stuff! I went every year during those Stan Home outings when my grandfather worked. I was 12 when the park shut down. Would go visit every so often while it decayed. Thank god the land is being used for enjoyment again!
A man after my own heart. A true roller coaster lover. I would be taping the coaster just as much as you!!! Thanks for GREAT POV on the Mountain Flyer!!! It is the best out there...
This was the only amusement park my parents would take me to as a small child. Riverside(now Six Flags New England) was considered "too far away", and they hated the Big E. My mother always told me the park closed down because some kid fell off a ride and was killed, but after reading up on the history of this place, I know that the last serious accident happened 16 whole years before the park closed. Must've been some kind of urban legend, even though the real reason is plain old recession and competition with the Ingleside Mall.
Actually, the real reason for the park closing was simpler and more poignant: Roger Fortin (seen riding in the back of the train at the beginning of the video) announced his retirement to Jay Collins, the owner, at the end of the 1987 season. They were good friends, and Jay didn't want to continue running the park without Roger.
@@jayducharme What a shame they couldn't pass the torch to a family member and continue the legacy. So much land and opportunity up there. I'm talking to my brother about doing something up there
Oct 26,2017 Mt. Park has been closed now for 30 years.. I used to in ride operation there working in kiddie land and my dad worked on the Pirate den. My dad passed away in 1996. Maybe its time to have other Reunion
Hay jay ... I think i saw myself in this video on the little whip i was sitting down while the ride was running ... Over all great video .. But now video of dinosaur den or Pirate's Den. Do you know if there is any?
Great video. Thank you so much. I don't know why I didn't see this earlier. I worked there for two seasons. I got my start in about 1974 operating all of the Kiddieland rides (I think it was called that). I operated the Merry-go-round for some time (I have lots of stories about that). Also, the Dodgems (more stories). If I recall correctly, I operated the Flying sail thing (with the tree everyone liked to buzz past), the Whip, the Skyride (bor-ing to operate), Pirates Den (also boring), and a few others, briefly. My last summer I drove around the area, sometimes hours away, with an elderly gentleman whose name I cannot remember, and I helped him to bring flyers and coupons to the grocery stores. I preferred being on the rides outside in the fresh air, interacting with the patrons. Thank you again!
You’re welcome, and thanks to Bill Trescott. I wonder if that elderly man was George Dean. If you’d like to see more about the park, check out www.karenandjay.com
Fantastic Video. Brought back so many memories! I remember riding that roller coaster many times! I wonder if anyone has video or a filmed record of the funhouses DINOSAUR'S DEN, PIRATE'S DEN and my favorite OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I wish I had a video camera back then. I would have done walk-thrus of each one. You can read about those fun houses here: laffinthedark.com/articles/mp/mountainpark.htm
Ah Yes!! Infamous bumper cars!! My first broken nose & bloody fat lip!! 🤕 Lucky I didn't injure my teeth. The only fondness I feel for this place was the carousel 💜🎠💜 That was a treasure to be cherished 💖 Sadly I don't remember much else of good, unsafe nostalgia of such times. I remember the water slides & a wave pool too? I think they should have kept the amazing carousel up there on the mountain in its own glorified rebuilt enclosure, and made the area a beautiful recreational area of nature & trails & a little museum of Mount Tom's past & history. As i watch this, a lot of the rides look so flimsy & honky tonk!!!! No money put in & this could only be gotten away with during the 80's. I could swear my dad's behind this, he recorded everything with his state of art camcorder toy & we drove here in the car that's doors went upward ☺ Thanks for sharing, I vaguely recall this place. Now it's not just a cloudy memory.
Used to go here in the 50’s. Fondest of find memories. I think I still have a couple records of my dad and brother and me made in some recording booth in the penny arcade. Oh that arcade. Thanks so much for posting. By the way are you related to a (I think) Ducharme who used to take the Holyoke High School year book pictures?
If this represents a typical day at the park, it's not hard to understand why they closed. The rides had only one or 2 people on them. It really looks primitive compared to the parks of today
Scariest part of the roller coaster was coming around the turn at the far end then going down a big drop into a small one. Thought for sure you'd derail every time.
This makes me sad cause as a society we really gave up fun in a sense . All this looked like a mini six flags and I love that and wish it was still around .
Artizan band organ converted to Wurlitzer 150 rolls, playing #13141 4:41 "The Girlfriend" 5:09 "That Haunting Waltz" 6:45 "Lucky Day!" 7:26 "It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry" 8:13 "Here Comes Fatima"
Is that an Artizan style D band organ? I remember the Charles ID Looff merry go round I grew up riding at Playland at the Beach in San Francisco had one operating on it. Also had 2 Wurlitzer 153's and 1 Wurlitzer 165 operating on it. A wonderful 4 abreast row merry go round with 68 animals and 2 chariots on it!!!!!!!!! The amusement park was demolished for condos in 1972. So sad to see so many great old amusement parks close down thru the decade's.
The train is currently running at Sandspit Amusement Park on Prince Edward Island. The park grounds were completely bulldozed and are now unrecognizable.
does any body remember what year the two rte 5 entrances were closed and they starting using the one with mt tom? and did the two on rte 5 lead to the access rd or the parking lot? great memories I am 62 now and miss the day. is there any way to get more info on this subject thank you.
Thank you I bought your book 91 makes sense although there is not an exit near the park so did the rte 5 entrance bring you to the parking lot? Thanks nick
@@22julip Originally, the old Route 5 entrance brought you up to what is now the Whiting Reservoir access road at the southwest edge of the parking lot. Strangely, the entrance road was on the Northampton side and the exit was on the Holyoke side. Each was a one-lane road, and when they joined partway up the hill, the combined road wasn't much bigger. When I-91 went in, a bridge was constructed across the highway and the new access road had a 3-way split on the north side. On the left was the reservoir access road, straight ahead was the Mountain Park parking lot, and on the right was the access road to the ski area.
@@jayducharme thank you for all the info. the reason I have allways wanted to walk up the old road under the old clowns head to see where it will come out some years ago I walked around the remains of the park to the parking lot and I thought I would see the remains of the old road but I did not that's what got me curious on where the road came out. and I never drove to the park when it was open just remember seeing the clowns head when we drove by. again thank you so much iam hoping to learn more from your book!!!!!!!! nick
Jay Ducharme one last thing I enjoyed the book is the picture looking south on rte 5 withe the lantern the north bound ramp under the clowns head? also we’re the north and south bound an entrance and exit? Or either one could be used? is there any were else I can get pictures and info about the park? Thanks again nick
The trade name is Flying Skooters and they’re still being made by Larson International. At Mt. Park they were called the Flying Jets, but it seems everyone had their own name for it.
Hey Jay, I'm working on organizing the NAPHA Archives and there are some great images of Mountain Park I'd like to share with you. Is there a way I can send them your way?
@Jay Ducharme I Saw This Video On My Sister Birthday On The Holyoke Merry Go Round And That A Same Ride Were On In 2017 4:52 But Horses Colors Were Different ?
After the park closed in 1987, Dominic Spadola repainted the horses in iridescent colors. Before the carousel reopened at Heritage Park, John Hickey repainted the horses in more muted colors. Over the past several years, the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round has been sending out horses to the Bristol Carousel Museum to be professionally restored.
Heres a copy/paste from another commenter: Artizan band organ converted to Wurlitzer 150 rolls, playing #13141 4:41 "The Girlfriend" 5:09 "That Haunting Waltz" 6:45 "Lucky Day!" 7:26 "It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry" 8:13 "Here Comes Fatima"
Oh my - that long! Shame; I have fond memories of it from my youth. Also fond memories of the Laff In The Dark ride..... I think that was the name of it - it had an upper level and made a sharp U-turn which overhung the people below. I think that was the ride where someone dressed up in a gorilla costume jumped onto the back of my car and tapped the back of my neck as we were coming down that incline from the upper level. Just about crapped my pants on that one, Jay! Gosh, the fun times we had as kids.... Wonderful times.
Now imagine if six flags were to take over this plot in 87. Flashy, DC, WB stuff plastered all over... Especially removing some classics. Oh god.... Former Six Flags CEO: Since that park is closing, I wonder what should we do with it... Oh, I know, how about we make Six Flags over Pennsylvania! GP: GENIUS! Few years later... Six Flags to Open Batman: The Ride Six Flags to Open Superman: Ride of Steel Six Flags to move family rides to Looney Tunes Seaport You know? I just hated the idea of having a Six Flags park ruin the idea of a traditional family amusement park and plaster advertisements all over it. Eat my shorts, SF!
@@jayducharme Thanks for the link, I found out the insurance company was taking all their money. I think the number of people going to the park decreased too.
@@AnthonyRufo-rc1zm The final year the park was open saw the biggest opening day in decades, with over 3000 people in the park. So it was still doing okay.
The funhouse. I remember being there where I was a kid. I brought my younger brother 1986 87 ? I remember him crying when it was time to leave. He had such a memorable & fun time. It's a memory that will stay with me forever. What happened & why? Holyoke is nothing but a drug wasteland now. Boy have times changed!!
What memories of that place remember going there as a kid life was a lot easier then.
Sure was!! When hard times came , Mountain Park made up for it.
Every year the daily hampshire gazette would take the carriers there for a free day at mountain park, usually the middle of july!! Those were fun times and my sister was once stuck on the roller coaster during a thunder storm!! Lots of memories of that park, fireworks and live bands! Thanks for brining back the good times there, jay!
Watched this w/ tears streaming down my face, and laughed a lot too (bumper cars especially)...One of my big regrets in life is that I hadn't been there in years when I was in my 20s, after spending much of my childhood there..then many years after it closed I learned it closed in '88 and I was heartbroken because I hadn't been in so long and missed out on experiencing it again before it closed. I guess I never thought it would close! It had always been there and I thought it always would. I still cannot believe it is gone. Magical place. Magical times.
I just came here from another video on Mountain Park where I left a nearly identical comment to yours!! I didn’t learn that it was closed until 15-20 years after the fact and my first reaction was actually anger that I wasn’t informed by someone, somehow. I guess with a childlike naivety, I had assumed it would exist forever, patiently waiting for me to visit it one steamy summer night. I would’ve travelled from anywhere to go one last time and say goodbye to such a huge part of my childhood, the scene of so many memories. Riverside just didn’t leave the same magical mark on my heart as Mountain Park did, even as a child, I don’t think (admittedly I didn’t visit there nearly as much).
Its memory is of an idealized unconditional childhood happiness that can never be replicated and its absence will always be a source of quiet melancholy for me.
@@OneBentMonkey Well said, and I totally agree. Even now I get angry and cannot believe I had no idea of it's closing, but tbh in 1987 I was dating my soon-to-be husband so I guess I had other things on my mind. Truth is, adulting got in the way, in your case too it sounds like. So sad! Now at 62 years old, if the park was still there, I'd be spending so many days/evenings there, riding the Dino Den (my favorite), strolling around, looking at the sights, hearing the sounds, smelling the smells. Certain summer days, or the way the sky/clouds look sometimes, remind me of the Park. At least we have the memories...
@@requinremembers So true on all counts…sigh 😋
I loved Mountain Park! That Rollercoaster sure seemed bigger, faster and scarier when I was a little kid. The good old days for sure ❤️ Thanks for the memories!
Funny cause i was watching a documentary on a place in New Jersey called Action Park that reminded me so much of here when i was a kid brought back alot of good memories check out that video
Man! This takes me back to my youth. Always loved Mountain Park as a kid.
I do indeed. And if anyone else would like to revive even more Mountain Park memories, on August 26 starting at noon at Holyoke's Heritage State Park, the Merry-Go-Round will be celebrating its 25th anniversary there, and I'll also be unveiling my scale model of the park (still in progress) along with memorabilia and photos at the Visitor's Center.
Went there several times as a teenager in the mid 1970s. My love of wooden coasters stems from riding the coaster here many times.
I wish I got to experience that amusement park I went there in 2015 and it was just a giant hill with an amended ski resort up top.
Those were the days when you could visit a amusement part and not spend $100 too $200 bucks a person for a great time ! Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank God that you had he mind back in 1987 to take video like this.This stuff you can't buy, and someone who lives 5 mins from where mountain park was and went there as A child.This is amazing
We used to have yearly Stanley Home Products outings there during the 60s. The video took me back there like it was yesterday. I remember the Mountain Park sign at the entrance off Rt. 5
This is Gold.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I used to go here with my family when I was a kid.
Great memories.
So many great memories at Mt. Park as a kid in the early 1980’s as my buddy and I used to tag along with his older sisters. We were having the time of our lives and didn’t know it. Thank you for posting this; it’s like a trip back in time.
Many fond memories! I have been on literally EVERY CONCEIVABLE ride here countless times! Very sad it’s gone 😞!!!
Excellent video of the park
I grew up in Easthampton, on the opposite side of the mountain. They had dances on Saturday night. I met my husband there in 1969. We loved this park.
We had live bands at the dances.Saw Eric Burton and the Animals , the Young Rascals, and many more. Great memories of my youth. Thanks, Jay.
You were ahead of your time making this video!! What great angles and composition! So many memories at Mountain Park! I fractured my wrist on the bumper cars one Friday night, rode the coaster too many time to count....thank you SO much for the memories! ✨💜🎢🎠
You can thank William Trescott. He’s the one who had the foresight to record the park in its final year.
Used to go there as a young teen with my parents saw country music stars to goid times loved the rollercoaster notice better days gone by no drama went out enjoyed the day no cell phones memories of another era to bad
And the coaster appears to have been “ideal” for that park. Big enough for a thrill, small enough for a family
The relics of my greatest times... Thanks.
Thanks for posting Jay. This has to be one of the best videos of MP on you tube, no offense to your other post. This is so clean and clear, shows the park at its best, a nice clean fun family park. My family gave up on Riverside in the mid 70’s and this became our new place. Even though we are from CT, dad never took us to Lake Compounce. Now it seems Lake Compounce has this feel as MP, since Six Flags took over Riverside. I really wish I was able to share MP with my kids like my dad and mom did with me. My kids love amusement parks, and thanks to your suggestion a few years ago, we took them to Lake Canobie Park in Salem, NH, and we LOVED IT!!! I thought it was real close to the fell of MP. Thank you!!!
Mike 201 You’re welcome! I’m glad you liked Canobie.
@@jayducharme my complements, do you have anymore footage? Do you know why the park closed?
I took a walk through there in the summer of 1998. I don't know if anything remains today. Everything was pretty well damaged. I, however found some memorabilia.
Great memories, thanks for posting!
@@georgesabol459 The area is completely empty now, though well-manicured. I did find more footage of the park on RUclips: ruclips.net/video/FKPsPldI_hM/видео.html
There is something grounding in the traditional amusement parks. It makes you feel happy not overstimulated.
Such a great video of the Park the way it used to be. I spent a lot of time there during 60s thru 80s. It's a shame all the small, family amusement Parks are gone. Thanks for not adding a music back track.
We loved this park back in the day. Great times...
So many memories if this place as a kid in Holyoke, always liked Larry Cheski.
Wow, the park appears to be in excellent condition. I assumed it was dilapidated and needed a ton of renovations. Boy, was I wrong! This footage is priceless. I hope somebody has multiple copies in multiple formats so that it never ceases to exist. The Mountain Flyer looks like great fun too! What a shame that it closed.
I visited Mountain Park many times from the early 1960's to mid-1970's.
my parents took us there as kids, great times.
In the late 1950s, when I was a young boy, my family rented an apartment in our house (across from Wistariahurst) to the man who was managing (?) at the time, Mt. Park. He would give my sister and I free day passes for all the kids at our birthday parties at the Park on our birthdays. Many fond childhood memories. We often went to the fireworks there on 4th of July.
practicalman45 Wow! That must have been Jay Collins!
Brought back some great memories. Nothing but an empty lot now right? Sad.
My favorite memories of this place I wish it was still there
my aunt took me there many times as a kid i can remember alot of good times there was an awesome mirror house at 1x and a fun house w cars cor 2 that would end up on the 2nd floor and come outside briefly even remember trash cans w clowns heads atop that had a suction force to make it all more fun wow my aunt is now 93 and leaving soon but those memorys are still w me thanks for sharing those times
Mark Smith That mirror maze was indeed awesome. The mirror and glass panels could slide out and be rearranged from time to time to keep the maze unpredictable. There’s a nice photo of it here: www.karenandjay.com/mtpark/mphotos/fifties/fifties.html
Jay Ducharme i really appreciate that i will have to take a look when i get home from work it was amazing to watch the videos on something that i think of often but thought it was long forgotten so glad theres others who remember thank you !
It's so hard to believe the kids in this video have little ones of their own now!
Little? Goodness no… with adult kids of their own. Some have grandkids.
Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof - KT If they started early enough then yeah I guess?
John, Mt. Park is now just a found memory of a great past time when the admission to enter Mt.Park was by the car load. All of the rides shown in the video have moved on to other amusement parks through out the world.. The Only ride that still nearby the park is the Carosel which is in down town Holyoke Massachusetts
I've watched this about 50 times! ♥
Me too! :-)
Me too! :-)
i was 3 on my first time, best amusement park of all time, o think they were the original amusement park in the world
Went here so many times as a youth. This was before cell phones, internet, social media, and all the BS going on today. Maybe the world was just as crazy, but we def didn’t hear about it all the time. A day at Mt Park was an escape and I loved it. Wish we had something like that around here now. No thanks Six Flags, you can keep your huge crowds and ridiculous prices.
Park was in a beautiful setting. Its unfortunate that mountain park and Mt. Tom ski resort closed. They both provided so much joy to the area.
I grew up out in Cheshire, MA in the 60s and 70s. As kids in the 60s, we'd go to Mt. Park about twice a year. It was always a summer highlight.
Never been to this place but have been in 50s-60s-70s to similar. Your film brought back so many memories of those wonderful parks. They were glorious and full of wonder to us kids. Very well done sir.
Remember $2 nights? Pack everyone in the car and go! I rode every ride there thousands of times over the years
After really watching this video. We're so lucky to have survived some of those rides!..lol Loved Mountain Park!
I loved this place. Wish it was still there. Good ole days.
My idea of heaven when I was a kid, it was magical. We went there in the late 60's ~ traveled from W.Chesterfield NH and then visited family who lived in Holyoke. Thanks for the post.
Thank you Mr Ducharme! Love your Mt. Park stuff! I went every year during those Stan Home outings when my grandfather worked. I was 12 when the park shut down. Would go visit every so often while it decayed. Thank god the land is being used for enjoyment again!
You’re welcome!
I loved this it brought back my favorite memories from being there. I miss this park so much. Thank you.
A man after my own heart. A true roller coaster lover. I would be taping the coaster just as much as you!!! Thanks for GREAT POV on the Mountain Flyer!!! It is the best out there...
I remember getting on that rollercoaster with my sister!! 14:39
Thank you for this!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful video. I wonder if anyone filmed the inside of the fun houses. The dinosaur one was my favorite!
rachiekin I took still pictures but I haven't yet found a video. That would be awesome!
Thank you SO much for this quality film.
Thank William Trescott!
My grandparents brought me there many times great memories
Thanks Jay' my 6 brothers and 2 sisters would be taken by our Parents 4 times a summer , from 1965 to 1971, and a few times be for closed down .
This was the only amusement park my parents would take me to as a small child. Riverside(now Six Flags New England) was considered "too far away", and they hated the Big E. My mother always told me the park closed down because some kid fell off a ride and was killed, but after reading up on the history of this place, I know that the last serious accident happened 16 whole years before the park closed. Must've been some kind of urban legend, even though the real reason is plain old recession and competition with the Ingleside Mall.
Actually, the real reason for the park closing was simpler and more poignant: Roger Fortin (seen riding in the back of the train at the beginning of the video) announced his retirement to Jay Collins, the owner, at the end of the 1987 season. They were good friends, and Jay didn't want to continue running the park without Roger.
@@jayducharme What a shame they couldn't pass the torch to a family member and continue the legacy. So much land and opportunity up there. I'm talking to my brother about doing something up there
@@justincarter6320 I wish you well with that. It’s sad that such a beautiful piece of property is now virtually abandoned.
This video is Fantastic ! Thank you
Oct 26,2017
Mt. Park has been closed now for 30 years.. I used to in ride operation there working in kiddie land and my dad worked on the Pirate den. My dad passed away in 1996. Maybe its time to have other Reunion
Steven Provost
I’m hoping to organize a reunion with the Merry-Go-Round board for next year. There aren’t many of us left.
Hay jay ...
I think i saw myself in this video on the little whip i was sitting down while the ride was running ... Over all great video .. But now video of dinosaur den or Pirate's Den. Do you know if there is any?
Used to go here when I was a kid late 70's to the early 80's for what it was it wasn't bad
Great video. Thank you so much. I don't know why I didn't see this earlier. I worked there for two seasons. I got my start in about 1974 operating all of the Kiddieland rides (I think it was called that). I operated the Merry-go-round for some time (I have lots of stories about that). Also, the Dodgems (more stories). If I recall correctly, I operated the Flying sail thing (with the tree everyone liked to buzz past), the Whip, the Skyride (bor-ing to operate), Pirates Den (also boring), and a few others, briefly. My last summer I drove around the area, sometimes hours away, with an elderly gentleman whose name I cannot remember, and I helped him to bring flyers and coupons to the grocery stores. I preferred being on the rides outside in the fresh air, interacting with the patrons. Thank you again!
You’re welcome, and thanks to Bill Trescott. I wonder if that elderly man was George Dean. If you’d like to see more about the park, check out
www.karenandjay.com
@@jayducharme YES! George Dean, for sure. Thanks for remembering him for me.
Fantastic Video. Brought back so many memories! I remember riding that roller coaster many times! I wonder if anyone has video or a filmed record of the funhouses DINOSAUR'S DEN, PIRATE'S DEN and my favorite OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I wish I had a video camera back then. I would have done walk-thrus of each one. You can read about those fun houses here: laffinthedark.com/articles/mp/mountainpark.htm
As close to the real deal as it gets circa 1987.
A great place to go and a great place to work.
Ah Yes!! Infamous bumper cars!! My first broken nose & bloody fat lip!! 🤕 Lucky I didn't injure my teeth. The only fondness I feel for this place was the carousel 💜🎠💜 That was a treasure to be cherished 💖 Sadly I don't remember much else of good, unsafe nostalgia of such times. I remember the water slides & a wave pool too? I think they should have kept the amazing carousel up there on the mountain in its own glorified rebuilt enclosure, and made the area a beautiful recreational area of nature & trails & a little museum of Mount Tom's past & history. As i watch this, a lot of the rides look so flimsy & honky tonk!!!! No money put in & this could only be gotten away with during the 80's. I could swear my dad's behind this, he recorded everything with his state of art camcorder toy & we drove here in the car that's doors went upward ☺ Thanks for sharing, I vaguely recall this place. Now it's not just a cloudy memory.
Yes the waterslides/wave pool/ski lifts all torn down. The remnants are still there. I hike there occasionally. Remember the alpine slide?
I never went on the Alpine Slide but I remember lots of people coming home with nasty scrapes and bruises after riding that thing.
Used to go here in the 50’s. Fondest of find memories. I think I still have a couple records of my dad and brother and me made in some recording booth in the penny arcade. Oh that arcade.
Thanks so much for posting.
By the way are you related to a (I think) Ducharme who used to take the Holyoke High School year book pictures?
Elliot Rothchild The Ducharme in Holyoke (the Grenier-Ducharme photo company) was no relation. Glad the video brought back some good memories.
If this represents a typical day at the park, it's not hard to understand why they closed. The rides had only one or 2 people on them. It really looks primitive compared to the parks of today
I was thinkingthe same
This rules thank you.
Always thought we would hit the tree on the butterfly ride(1st ride coming into the park ?)So many memories
Everyone thought that they’d hit that tree, though the cabs were about a foot away when they swung out.
Scariest part of the roller coaster was coming around the turn at the far end then going down a big drop into a small one. Thought for sure you'd derail every time.
"The Whip" at 9:35. Now THAT was a fun ride.
You can still find them here and there. Kennywood Park has one, as does Dorney Park.
@@jayducharme Well that's good cause I now live in Pennsylvania 😁 Jay, thank you for all you do to keep the "Mountain Park Memories" alive.
This makes me sad cause as a society we really gave up fun in a sense . All this looked like a mini six flags and I love that and wish it was still around .
I loved this place .. too bad they couldn't keep everything as a tourist site
Can you still go there
yes theres some cool areas to explore
Great video! Wasn't there a fun house ride that briefly rides outside on the second floor?
Yup. The Dinosaur Den in the kiddieland area.
Artizan band organ converted to Wurlitzer 150 rolls, playing #13141
4:41 "The Girlfriend"
5:09 "That Haunting Waltz"
6:45 "Lucky Day!"
7:26 "It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry"
8:13 "Here Comes Fatima"
Is that an Artizan style D band organ? I remember the Charles ID Looff merry go round I grew up riding at Playland at the Beach in San Francisco had one operating on it. Also had 2 Wurlitzer 153's and 1 Wurlitzer 165 operating on it. A wonderful 4 abreast row merry go round with 68 animals and 2 chariots on it!!!!!!!!! The amusement park was demolished for condos in 1972. So sad to see so many great old amusement parks close down thru the decade's.
@@bartonpercival3216 that’s an Artizan C
@@whoisthisguy724 ok thank you for the reply
Any relation to Jacques Ducharme by any chance? Early 20th century writer from Holyoke
Not that I'm aware. But it's possible.
What does the place look like now that it's abandoned?
It's pretty much just empty ground. Eric Suher has been trying to get a summer music venue going there for several years, but it hasn't taken off yet.
The (G16) train is cool, wonder what ever happened to it? What's the park look like today 2019??
The train is currently running at Sandspit Amusement Park on Prince Edward Island. The park grounds were completely bulldozed and are now unrecognizable.
@@jayducharme Thank you for the info! Sad about the park, but glad to hear the G16 lives on.
kmcwhq And BTW, their Ferris wheel, Scrambler and kiddie auto car ride also came from Mt. Park.
@@jayducharme Cool! Great they are all saved
@Jay Ducharme What Type Of Video Camera In 14:59 Mountain Flyer Pov Because Gopro Camera, Cellphones, And iPhone Doesn't Exist In The 80s
That had to have been an old bulky VHS camcorder. The smaller Hi-8 camcorders had only just come out and were over $1000.
does any body remember what year the two rte 5 entrances were closed and they starting using the one with mt tom? and did the two on rte 5 lead to the access rd or the parking lot? great memories I am 62 now and miss the day. is there any way to get more info on this subject thank you.
The old entrances went into disuse after Interstate 91 opened around 1965. The new access road was built concurrently with I-91.
Thank you I bought your book 91 makes sense although there is not an exit near the park so did the rte 5 entrance bring you to the parking lot? Thanks nick
@@22julip Originally, the old Route 5 entrance brought you up to what is now the Whiting Reservoir access road at the southwest edge of the parking lot. Strangely, the entrance road was on the Northampton side and the exit was on the Holyoke side. Each was a one-lane road, and when they joined partway up the hill, the combined road wasn't much bigger. When I-91 went in, a bridge was constructed across the highway and the new access road had a 3-way split on the north side. On the left was the reservoir access road, straight ahead was the Mountain Park parking lot, and on the right was the access road to the ski area.
@@jayducharme thank you for all the info. the reason I have allways wanted to walk up the old road under the old clowns head to see where it will come out some years ago I walked around the remains of the park to the parking lot and I thought I would see the remains of the old road but I did not that's what got me curious on where the road came out. and I never drove to the park when it was open just remember seeing the clowns head when we drove by. again thank you so much iam hoping to learn more from your book!!!!!!!! nick
Jay Ducharme one last thing I enjoyed the book is the picture looking south on rte 5 withe the lantern the north bound ramp under the clowns head? also we’re the north and south bound an entrance and exit? Or either one could be used? is there any were else I can get pictures and info about the park? Thanks again nick
Anyone remember the name of the ride that you could go on that almost kept hitting the tree I thought it was the Jets does anyone know?
The trade name is Flying Skooters and they’re still being made by Larson International. At Mt. Park they were called the Flying Jets, but it seems everyone had their own name for it.
Whatever happened to this park? i like to know about stuff from b4 my time
George Hines It’s a sad but interesting story. I wrote a whole book about it. You can find more info here: www.karenandjay.com/mtpark/mtpark.html
Hey Jay, I'm working on organizing the NAPHA Archives and there are some great images of Mountain Park I'd like to share with you. Is there a way I can send them your way?
That'd be great! Did you want to email them or put them up on something like Google Drive?
A private Google Drive link would be best. Where can I find your email?
@@amusementnow4416 It’s the same as my channel name.
@Jay Ducharme I Saw This Video On My Sister Birthday On The Holyoke Merry Go Round And That A Same Ride Were On In 2017 4:52 But Horses Colors Were Different ?
After the park closed in 1987, Dominic Spadola repainted the horses in iridescent colors. Before the carousel reopened at Heritage Park, John Hickey repainted the horses in more muted colors. Over the past several years, the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round has been sending out horses to the Bristol Carousel Museum to be professionally restored.
@@jayducharme You Heard The John Hickey Pass Away Right ?
@@csxisaiahjonesproductions2290 Long time ago…
Can somebody give me the tunes and roll number?
Heres a copy/paste from another commenter:
Artizan band organ converted to Wurlitzer 150 rolls, playing #13141
4:41 "The Girlfriend"
5:09 "That Haunting Waltz"
6:45 "Lucky Day!"
7:26 "It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry"
8:13 "Here Comes Fatima"
Is the Mt. Tom ski area still there? Many thanks Jay.
The ski area closed two decades ago. Many of the buildings are still standing but badly damaged.
Oh my - that long! Shame; I have fond memories of it from my youth. Also fond memories of the Laff In The Dark ride..... I think that was the name of it - it had an upper level and made a sharp U-turn which overhung the people below. I think that was the ride where someone dressed up in a gorilla costume jumped onto the back of my car and tapped the back of my neck as we were coming down that incline from the upper level. Just about crapped my pants on that one, Jay! Gosh, the fun times we had as kids.... Wonderful times.
@@timemachinefan You’re thinking of the Dinosaur Den. Laff in the Dark was at Riverside Park (and was a terrific ride).
Yes, now I remember Jay! One of the joys of getting older, haha......
@@jayducharme Its a fun place to hike and explore
Is there a way to contact you for reunion
Sure. Send me a message thru RUclips and I'll send my address.
Is this closed now?
Yup.
Great place
Now imagine if six flags were to take over this plot in 87. Flashy, DC, WB stuff plastered all over... Especially removing some classics. Oh god....
Former Six Flags CEO: Since that park is closing, I wonder what should we do with it... Oh, I know, how about we make Six Flags over Pennsylvania!
GP: GENIUS!
Few years later...
Six Flags to Open Batman: The Ride
Six Flags to Open Superman: Ride of Steel
Six Flags to move family rides to Looney Tunes Seaport
You know? I just hated the idea of having a Six Flags park ruin the idea of a traditional family amusement park and plaster advertisements all over it. Eat my shorts, SF!
I just wish SOMEBODY had taken it over!
I agree, this park had a great unique amusement energy than any park in the world
DG Productions s
80th Comment
Hay jay ...
I'm going to post your video of Mt. Park on my website
.. Okay
Check it out
Touringnewengland.org
Let me know if okay with you to post
Steven Provost That’s fine, Steve. Thanks for letting me know.
The electric bills probably put them out of business, ugh !
The actual reason the park closed can be found here: ruclips.net/video/e4QxrkuYaLA/видео.htmlsi=8j8Q-Zyo6hD3KckO
@@jayducharme Thanks for the link, I found out the insurance company was taking all their money. I think the number of people going to the park decreased too.
@@AnthonyRufo-rc1zm The final year the park was open saw the biggest opening day in decades, with over 3000 people in the park. So it was still doing okay.
The funhouse. I remember being there where I was a kid. I brought my younger brother 1986 87 ? I remember him crying when it was time to leave. He had such a memorable & fun time. It's a memory that will stay with me forever. What happened & why?
Holyoke is nothing but a drug wasteland now. Boy have times changed!!
Beautiful carousel & I like the horse & cart kiddie ride 2!!! 🌟🐎💜🐴🌟
Wow this is gold