I'm writing this while watching the PBS special on Amusment Parks. I'm still in touch with Lois (Simon) Hector whose parents (Charlie & Nelly) owned the Mechanical Horse & Pony rides.Our mothers were cousins.My family spent most Summer days @ OP while growing up in S. Orange. I still remember the Birch Bear @ The Picnic Grove.I snuck into The Fun House; got scared & ran out crying. "Smiles" brought back lots of memories.Later on, I lived down the street in Stuyvesant Village & shopped @ the Hostess Store where the Chancellor Ave entrance stood.Great Adventure & Palisades Park can't compare to OP in friendliness & warmth.

said Norris1954 2006.01.24 at 23:38:16 PST

As a kid growing up in Newark, the higlight on Sundays would be Olympic Park. The rides, pool, and bumper cars, and wild mouse were the best part of my childhood. Thanks for the great times.

said Terrance41 2005.12.19 at 16:47:26 PST

So many people remembering! I loved the sno-cones and the circus acts. Yeah, the skating rink too! Good to know that it hasn't really disappeared and the pool with a beach! Gosh, it was great! I lived on Sanford Ave. also; 1045. And remember the fireworks on the Fourth of July? They were the best!

said seabrkcall 2005.05.19 at 12:30:56 PDT

Yep! I grew up there also. Just about lived in Olympic Park. I just spent 5 days back in N.J visiting friends I haven't seen in 15-20 years. Heartbreaking to see these photos. I lived above the Notty Pine Tavern on the corner of Sanford and Sprigfield aves. Would love to see more pics before the park closed.

said larry2157 2005.04.23 at 14:11:19 PDT

I used to go to Olympic Park in the early 50's especially in the winter to roller skate. The rink was smaller than Dreamland or Twin City but more convient for me to get to. I lived off 10th street and Springfield Ave and took the 25 Springfield bus. I think at least 3 people were killed by falling off the roller coaster on the first drop down. They were standing up and not holding on. When were these pictures taken? Is there any remains of the park today?

said frankforest100 2004.12.17 at 14:38:15 PST

Thank you for the walk thru. I never thought I would never see it again. My Father worked at Tuscan Dairy 40-77. He would take us back in the fifties with the free ticket that Tuscan give out. (That's when U.S companies were really family) That Time has gone. My old nieghborhood is long gone to the dust heap - Newark - Can never go back there - might not come back. Anyway Thanks for the memories God Bless

said foxbat008 2004.10.01 at 18:13:39 PDT

Ed Thompson. I worked in the park in the fifties. Boat ride, dart stand.Drove the train around the back of the pool. Had some great times with all the cute girls. Really sorry to see it go. Thanks for pictures and the memeries. Ed

said ed324u 2004.09.04 at 11:00:13 PDT

Thank you so much for your album. Like many others, I (and my brother) have only the fondest memories of Olympic Park. It was truly a most special place. That said, I must admit, seeing these pics was a tad bittersweet for me. What was disquieting was the degree to which Nature had reclaimed the park after only two years.

said ssstreaks 2004.06.05 at 11:48:26 PDT

My father used to take me there once a year in the summer for years. it was something special we did together. I seem to remember a "caterpillar& quot; ride where a hood closed over you as the ride progressed and then lifted as it ended. I miss that park and God, I miss my dad. I hadn't thought about that place in years.

said ptrgl 2004.04.23 at 07:39:17 PDT

Jack: I enjoyed these photos and can remember as a child going to visit my grandparents in Irvington and driving down Springfield Ave, always looking down 43rd Street to see the arch!

said justpeachiekaren 2004.01.27 at 15:26:53 PST

I loved the photos of Olympic Park. I lived & grew up in that park! Growing up in hte 50 & 60's my child hood memories include many many happy days & nights at that park

said patbyrne47 2003.07.12 at 10:44:45 PDT

i was one of the "maplewood gang" and i remember going into the park many times before it closed with free passes because we lived right next to the park. i also remember going into the park after it closed with a lot of my friends,some of them "borrowed&qu ot; things from the park.

said 2002.10.06 at 03:57:46 PDT

Jack: It seems like only yesterday.......spending our hard earned allowances in there on the cotton candy and rides along with sunny days at the pool. Glad you had a camera to document some of it.

said 2002.10.05 at 19:26:53 PDT