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Enchanted Forest (Oregon) facts for kids

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Enchanted Forest
Enchanted Forest.JPG
Main entrance
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Location 8462 Enchanted Way SE, Turner, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates 44°49′59″N 123°00′30″W / 44.833085°N 123.008249°W / 44.833085; -123.008249
Opened August 8th, 1971
Owner Roger Tofte
Area 20 acres (8.1 ha)
Attractions
Total 10
Roller coasters 2
Water rides 1
Website enchantedforest.com
Enchanted Forest, Turner, Oregon LCCN2017708939
Main sign in 1987

The Enchanted Forest is a fun theme park located in Turner, Oregon. It's built on a hilly, wooded area right next to Interstate 5, just south of Salem, Oregon. This special park was created and built by hand by one person, Roger Tofte. He worked on it for seven years in the late 1960s.

The park first opened its doors in 1971. It became very popular, which led to many new additions over the years. Roger Tofte continued to build most of these expansions himself. Today, the Tofte family still owns and runs the park. Three generations of the family help with the daily operations. The park covers about 20 acres (8 hectares). Around 100,000 visitors come to the park each year during its six-month season.

Park History: How It Began

The Enchanted Forest has grown a lot since it first opened. One interesting event happened in 2014. The park's original Humpty Dumpty display, which had been there since 1971, was damaged. But don't worry! A new sculpture of Humpty Dumpty was quickly put in its place that same year.

Explore the Park: Fun Attractions

The Enchanted Forest is divided into different themed areas. These areas are called "Attractions" by the Tofte family.

Storybook Lane

When the park first opened in 1971, it only had the Storybook Lane. This area brings classic fairy tales to life. You can walk through scenes from your favorite stories.

Other Exciting Areas

Later on, the park added more areas for visitors to explore. These include the Tofteville Western Town and the Old European Village. Each area offers a unique experience.

Haunted House Fun

For those who like a little scare, the Haunted House attraction opened in 1974. It's a popular spot for visitors looking for a thrilling adventure.

Summer Comedy Theater

The Enchanted Forest also has a "Summer Comedy Theater." Here, you can watch original musical plays. These plays are based on classic fairy tales and are written by Susan Vaslev.

Thrilling Rides at Enchanted Forest

Besides the themed areas, the park has several exciting rides.

  • Ice Mountain Bobsleds: This is a fun roller coaster that takes you on a speedy journey.
  • Big Timber Log Ride: Get ready to splash! This is the largest log ride in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Challenge of Mondor: This is an indoor ride where you go on an adventure. It features dragons and other creatures. This ride first opened in 2006.

When to Visit: Park Schedule

The Enchanted Forest is open during certain times of the year. It usually opens in late March. In April, it's open only on weekends. From May until Labor Day, the park is open every day. After Labor Day, it goes back to being open only on weekends through September.

In 2020, the park's schedule changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The park was able to open daily starting June 26th of that year. They had fewer visitors allowed at one time and put safety rules in place.

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