Bushkill Park facts for kids
The Barl of Fun funhouse. 115th Anniversary of Bushkill Park
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| Location | Easton, Pennsylvania, United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°42′07″N 75°15′04″W / 40.702°N 75.251°W |
| Opened | July 3, 1902 |
| Operating season | Year-Round for Skating Rink; starting in 2018, Summer for Rides |
| Area | 13 acres (0.053 km2) |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 7 (in 2019) |
Bushkill Park is a small amusement park located in Easton, Pennsylvania. It's mostly designed for younger visitors. The park first opened way back in 1902 and stayed open almost continuously until 2004.
After a few years of being closed, its roller skating rink reopened in January 2017. The park has a long history with different owners. Thomas Long bought it in 1939 and ran it with his wife, Mabel "Mom" Long. Today, Sammy Baurkot is the sole owner.
Bushkill Park was once famous for its old-fashioned rides. These included bumper cars, "The Whip", and "The Bar'l of Fun." It's also home to the oldest funhouse in the United States, called "The Bar'l of Fun."
As of 2017, the park's skating rink, indoor arcade, and party area are open. You can go roller skating on certain nights and afternoons. The park also hosts birthday parties and picnics. There are plans to bring back seven or eight rides and the funhouse for future seasons.
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The Bar'l of Fun: A Historic Funhouse
The Bar'l of Fun is one of the oldest funhouses in the United States. It was built before 1935. This funhouse is special because it has lots of original Folk art painted on its walls.
Inside, you'll find a spinning barrel, which is how the funhouse got its name. There's also a dark maze with mirrors. In the past, a flashing strobe light added to the fun. You can also find a wobbly staircase and a "sit-and-spin" ride.
Upstairs, there's a Hall of Mirrors and a moving walkway. This walkway offers views of the park. Finally, an old wooden slide takes you from the second floor back down to the first. The Bar'l of Fun was even shown on the Discovery Channel in 1997.
Park's History with Carousels
Bushkill Park has had two important old carousels. The first was a 1907 carousel made by the Dentzel Carousel Company. It was sold in 1966 to another park in Toronto, Canada.
Later, in 1993, the park bought a 1915 carousel from another old park. This carousel was made by the Allan Herschell Company. Sadly, the building that housed this carousel collapsed in 2014 due to heavy snow.
Challenges: Floods and Repairs
In 2004, a big flood from Hurricane Ivan hit the park. This flood caused a lot of damage. It destroyed some rides and hurt others, like the bumper cars. The park is located near the Bushkill Creek, which makes it prone to flooding.
The park was also affected by floods in 2005 and 2006. After these events, the park needed a lot of cleaning and repairs. In 2010, the park was even featured on the TV show American Pickers. The hosts bought some old circus banners from the park. They were impressed by the efforts to fix up the park.
Celebrating 115 Years
On July 9, 2017, Bushkill Park celebrated its 115th birthday. The park opened for a special fundraiser. Visitors enjoyed inflatable rides, face painting, and food. The Bar'l of Fun was also open for the day.
Guests could walk around and see some newly fixed rides, like a clown ride and a swan ride. These are small swing rides for kids. A new park mascot, Do*more the duck, was also introduced.
The park's entrance sign and skating rink were repainted for the event. Old ride cars, including those from the bumper cars, were on display. People could sit in them and take pictures. Souvenirs like glass blocks from the old carousel building were sold. The money raised helped the park with its repairs. Nearly three thousand people came to the celebration!
- Bushkill Park at the Roller Coaster DataBase
