Midway Begins 109th Season, First As State Park
By LOREN KENT
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5/26/2007 - MAPLE SPRINGS — Described as ''the Midway Park people have always known,'' officials from the New York state office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation gathered with state Council of Parks Chairwoman Lucy Waletzky and local elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of Midway State Park as the newest state park in the Allegany Region.
Initially opened as a trolley park in 1898, Midway is one of the longest continually operating amusement parks in America. Originally offering visitors trolley rides, playing fields, tennis courts, bath houses and a dance hall — the new state park offers a museum, gift shop, a historic carousel, concession stands, arcade games and amusement rides.
A clear sky and warm temperatures greeted hundreds of school children who packed the amusement park for its inaugural celebration. The paddle boats, giant slide, kiddie train and bumper cars were all jam-packed with happy youngsters as a large delegation of dignitaries gathered to offer remarks for the grand opening.
''State Parks offer such diverse recreational opportunities to residents and visitors here in New York,'' Mrs. Waletzky said. ''The addition of Midway Park to the list of impressive properties that the office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages is valuable, adding new dimension to this dynamic system of parks and historic sites.''
Midway State Park also offers several picnic shelters, which can be reserved for family gatherings and picnics. Accessible by the waters of Chautauqua Lake, the park is a place for fishing and free docking is offered for day visitors.
As the newly appointed regional state parks director, Mark W. Thomas, joined Mike Miecznikowski, Midway State Park director, in welcoming dozens of state park officials, local elected officials, park staff members, and other dignitaries to the grand opening ceremony.
The who's who of local elected officials included state Sen. Catherine Young; Assemblyman Bill Parment; Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards; County Clerk Sandra Sopak; County Legislator Richard Babbage; Ellery Town Supervisor Arden Johnson; Ellery Town Clerk Rebecca Haines, and a score of other officials.
''I am truly thrilled that New York state made an investment in Midway Park,'' Sen. Young said. ''There is a real heart and soul to Midway, and an economic value as well since it is an important local tourist destination.''
Sen. Young hailed Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his efforts to maintain Midway as an environmentally sound state park. She thanked everyone who fought to make Midway a state park and to preserve the parks 1,280 feet of shoreline along Chautauqua Lake.
''I can recall coming here for grade school picnics when I was young, and later I came here for shop picnics,'' Parment said. ''Children may out-grow the rides here, but the will always maintain the memories of the park.''
Parment mentioned the historic 1946 Allen Herschell carousel located at the park.
''This park meets all the criterion for becoming part of our state park system,'' Parment said. ''When the state purchased Midway, it already fit the bill as a park, recreation facility and historic site. It is a worthy challenge to keep this type of history alive and operating.''
Friday afternoon the Regional Park Commission held a meeting at Midway. Commission members took action to establish a Friends Group dedicated to the historic preservation of the Herschell carousel and other park assets.
''The state has already invested heavily in the parks electrical system and infrastructure. In the future we will look to renovate the park further, taking care of such things as the carousel roof,'' said Thomas, a former Chautauqua County executive. ''Today we are open and safe. Midway State Park is the Midway people have always known.''
For additional information about New York's 178 state parks, 35 state historic sites, and 19 heritage areas, visit www.nysparks.com.
Initially opened as a trolley park in 1898, Midway is one of the longest continually operating amusement parks in America. Originally offering visitors trolley rides, playing fields, tennis courts, bath houses and a dance hall — the new state park offers a museum, gift shop, a historic carousel, concession stands, arcade games and amusement rides.
A clear sky and warm temperatures greeted hundreds of school children who packed the amusement park for its inaugural celebration. The paddle boats, giant slide, kiddie train and bumper cars were all jam-packed with happy youngsters as a large delegation of dignitaries gathered to offer remarks for the grand opening.
''State Parks offer such diverse recreational opportunities to residents and visitors here in New York,'' Mrs. Waletzky said. ''The addition of Midway Park to the list of impressive properties that the office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages is valuable, adding new dimension to this dynamic system of parks and historic sites.''
Midway State Park also offers several picnic shelters, which can be reserved for family gatherings and picnics. Accessible by the waters of Chautauqua Lake, the park is a place for fishing and free docking is offered for day visitors.
As the newly appointed regional state parks director, Mark W. Thomas, joined Mike Miecznikowski, Midway State Park director, in welcoming dozens of state park officials, local elected officials, park staff members, and other dignitaries to the grand opening ceremony.
The who's who of local elected officials included state Sen. Catherine Young; Assemblyman Bill Parment; Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards; County Clerk Sandra Sopak; County Legislator Richard Babbage; Ellery Town Supervisor Arden Johnson; Ellery Town Clerk Rebecca Haines, and a score of other officials.
''I am truly thrilled that New York state made an investment in Midway Park,'' Sen. Young said. ''There is a real heart and soul to Midway, and an economic value as well since it is an important local tourist destination.''
Sen. Young hailed Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his efforts to maintain Midway as an environmentally sound state park. She thanked everyone who fought to make Midway a state park and to preserve the parks 1,280 feet of shoreline along Chautauqua Lake.
''I can recall coming here for grade school picnics when I was young, and later I came here for shop picnics,'' Parment said. ''Children may out-grow the rides here, but the will always maintain the memories of the park.''
Parment mentioned the historic 1946 Allen Herschell carousel located at the park.
''This park meets all the criterion for becoming part of our state park system,'' Parment said. ''When the state purchased Midway, it already fit the bill as a park, recreation facility and historic site. It is a worthy challenge to keep this type of history alive and operating.''
Friday afternoon the Regional Park Commission held a meeting at Midway. Commission members took action to establish a Friends Group dedicated to the historic preservation of the Herschell carousel and other park assets.
''The state has already invested heavily in the parks electrical system and infrastructure. In the future we will look to renovate the park further, taking care of such things as the carousel roof,'' said Thomas, a former Chautauqua County executive. ''Today we are open and safe. Midway State Park is the Midway people have always known.''
For additional information about New York's 178 state parks, 35 state historic sites, and 19 heritage areas, visit www.nysparks.com.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Real Estate & Living Visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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