Thursday, August 8, 2013

ROSELAND PARK, CANANDAIGUA, NY - A MEMORY NOW

Roseland Park was opened in 1925 and was closed on September 2, 1985.  It's slogan was: "Playground of the Finger Lakes".  When it was originally opened it was called "Lakeside Park" but was changed in 1928 to Roseland Park after the Roseland Ballroom in New York City.  What started out as a dance hall and a few rides expanded, over the years, to 21 rides.  Also there was minature golf, a restaurant, stands to buy food at by the water, tourist shop and more.  There were also games like skeet, automatic bingo, dart shooting  and more.

I remember Roseland back from when I was a kid until it closed.  My parents use to take us there to ride the Carousel, the Train and my brother loved the Skyliner.  As I got older and could drive, my friends and I would go over to Kershaw Park (bottom picture) right next to Roseland and swim. Kershaw Park is still there.  Then we would go to Roseland.  We would ride the rides, play some games, then come home.  Even after we started working it was a place to spend the day on a weekend.  Roseland still brings back some great memories.

I was there the year they closed in 1985.  At the time, I was living in Florida, but drove back to see Roseland one last time.  Went through with a couple of my friends remembering the good times we had there and having one last fling before she closed.  We road all the old rides we liked and played our favorite games. Ate at the restaurant and just had a good time.

It's kind of sad now as I look back.  Every Spring, I wish it could open again, but there are houses, now, where Roseland use to be.  The Skyliner that was at Roseland is at Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pa.  The Carousel is at Carousel Center Mall in Syracuse, New York.  All the other items were sold at auction.

All I have now are memories and postcards.

I COLLECT POSTCARDS ON CERTAIN THINGS, ROSELAND PARK BEING ONE OF THEM.  IF ANYONE SHOULD HAVE ROSELAND PARK POSTCARDS AND WOULD LIKE TO SELL THEM, I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BUYING THEM.  I KNOW THEY ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT POSTCARDS ON ROSELAND THAT I DON'T HAVE. MY E-MAIL IS:
lincolnlady1121@yahoo.com


17 comments:

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Everyone,
I hope you enjoy my Roseland Park post. I miss Roseland and wish it were still here, but like time, it passes on and is only a memory now.

Marilyn

http://thankfullga447 said...

I miss places like that,the huge amusement parks are so expensive today.

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning ga447,

The huge amusement parks are expensive today. It's terrible. I miss the old amusement parks, too.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hi Marilyn, Growing up I lived in the Syracuse area and my parents took us to Roseland a few times. It wasn't that far away, it was a beautiful area and we had so much fun! It is sad to see the so called "Mom+Pop" enterprises go by the wayside and huge commercial entities take their place. It seems to me they're out there only to make as much money as they possibly can at the expense of us little people(every pun intended); not to bring forth good wholesome fun-always pushing the envelope for some more "dangerous+exciting thrill". At least we have our memories+no one can take that away, right? Have a great day! Blessings, Carol

Vickie said...

Thanks for sharing Marilyn. We are headed to the State Fair today. =)

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,

It is sad to see all the "Mom and POP" enterprises go like that. I know Roseland Park wasn't the only to go, there were many of them. North Pole, NY almost went under once, but the previous owner foreclosed and saved it. I agree with you completely. Yes, we have our memories. There is a place in Canandaigua called Roseland Waterway now. They are not as big as Roseland was. The funny part is that the business is owned by one group but the land it sits on is owned by the grandson of the man that owned Roseland Park-and he won't sell the land.

God Bless You and Yours,
Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Vickie,
Enjoy the State Fair. I haven't been to ours since I was a little kid and went with my parents. Have a great time.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...
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SueAnn said...

If I did'nt know better, I would think I was looking at our Coney Island(yes, in Ohio we had one too!) It was the same type park, rides, sky lift over the lake, Moonlight Gardens, where all the big bands would come on the weekends and we'd go dance under the stars, by the lake....got sold......in the late 70's. kept a small part of it, there is still a few rides but it is WAY smaller now....we went back a few years ago....not quite the same, but the memories, oh! the memories! I am glad you had one there too, Marilyn....

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Sue Ann,
Thank you for telling us about Coney Island. So many of them are gone now, but the memories live on.

Marilyn

canyonridescom said...

A beautiful park, every family should visit and enjoy.

Grand Canyon Trail Rides

Ami said...

I grew up in Geneva and remember going to Roseland when I was little. It closed when I was 8 and Skyliner was my first big roller coaster. I can still remember what I was wearing, the feeling of my heart pounding in the chest and how I wanted to ride it over and over when it was all over.

Unknown said...
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Anonymous said...

Was from Bath NY went to Roseland a few times in my youth, great memories.

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Anonymous,

Roseland brings great memories. What is sad is the young people today will never know it or what we are talking about.

Marilyn

Unknown said...

Hi Marilyn,

Loved the memories of Roseland Park. Went there as a child and remember good family times. Where did you get the pictures you posted? I know some are postcards but some look like real photos? Just curious....

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Val,
There was a fellow who took pictures of Roseland Park when it was closing. He was selling them afterward. I don't know where he went because I wanted to order a couple sets for friends and I can't find him anymore. The phone number I have isn't his anymore. I've looked in the phone book and on here and I don't know what happened to him.

Marilyn