Argus-Leader from Sioux Falls, South Dakota • Page 67

Argus Leader, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sunday, July 18, 1999 LIFE 3F V-1' Arnolds Park Continued from 1 lies venture into a confusing maze of mirrors. Others climb the ramp into the Tipsy House that rises above the start of the roller coaster. The out-of-kilter floors and and cockeyed stairs gradually make visi 5f I With three clangs from the bell, Austin Hayenga, 3, of Little Rock, Iowa, makes another round on the track for the kiddie boat ride. tors feel like they weigh a ton as they grab the handrails to climb to the roof for a view of the park. If the park itself doesn't stir up enough memories of days gone by, visitors can walk across the street to the Nutty Bar Shop.

While tossing down the Rides, games, souvenirs and more 7 Nick Hunzel and his son, Mitchell, 1, enjoy Arnolds Park. Arnolds Park traces back to the 1860s By JOYCE TERVEEN Argus Leader Staff W.B. Arnold homesteaded along West Lake Okoboji in the 1860s. He built a boarding house for the occasional hunting and fishing parties. He added the first amusement park to his property in 1889 when he built the Chute the Chute water slide.

Riders would plunge down and out into the lake on a toboggan. Arnold's two daughters each had opened their own "Coney Island," Okoboji style. One park was Arnolds Park. The other was named Steven's Park. Shortly afterward, the first roller coaster, called the Thriller, was built.

The Majestic Pavilion Roller Rink was built in 1919, and skaters listened to piped organ music. In 1924, the pavilion gave way to the new Roof Garden ballroom. The Roof Garden hosted many of the finest orchestras from across the country. The pavilion later became the treasured Fun House where a kid could spend an afternoon on the wooden slide or in the centrifugal sugar bowl, or trying to walk through the rotating barrel. In 1927, the Legend roller coaster was built to compete with the aging Thriller coaster.

It took 200 men two years to complete the project. Today it is tied for seventh place as the oldest operating roller coaster in America, and 13th oldest in the world. With the advent of new theme parks, the park was closed after the 1987 season. The Fun House was torn down, and the Roof Garden was used as a training site for local fire departments. The new "Arnolds Park An -A 1 t( ii Food is for sale inside the park, from funnel cakes and hot dogs to lemonade and cotton candy.

A fast-food restaurant is outside the gate and Nutty Bars is across the street The kiddie attractions include the Treasure Island Jungle Gym, kiddie go-karts, a kiddie coaster, jump pillow, Freddie the Fish, kiddie boats, spinning apple ride and a playground The Roof Garden this summer hosts music groups from big band to rock and roll. Outside the park are a dozen or more stores with memorabilia, crafts, clothing and food. The park is also port to the Queen II, flagship of the Iowa Navy, that has offered narrated cruises around West Okoboji. The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum offers a step back in time through the history of the lakes. Joyce Terveen Arnolds Park has rides, games of skill, food, souvenirs and playground equipment for visitors who pay admission.

Plush cats and apes hang from the walls as incentives to try the Happy Hippo water races. Visitors might throw baseballs at the Cat Rack or race camels in a Roll-A-Ball Derby. Games cost about $1. A 63-foot Ferris wheel gives a bird's-eye view of the park and the lake. The park includes carnival rides such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, bumper cars, Rock-O-Plane and theTrabant.

The Legend roller coaster makes the climb to its 65-foot peak and rolls around the park in just over 80 seconds. The classic favorites in the park include the Bug House, the Tipsy House and the Haunted House of Mirrors. The park also has a miniature golf course and go-kart track. ice cream confection, one can reminisce over pictures of the old fun house that once was a favorite with kids with its wooden slide, centrifugal sugar bowl and rotating barrel. "I remember the fun house and the roller coaster," says Nick Hunzel, 40, of Apple Valley, who visited the park 30 years ago as a boy growing up in Sioux Rapids, Iowa.

Now as a father himself, he and his wife, Renee, are toting sons, Jack, 3 and Mitchell, 1. "I'm going to ride the coaster once at least before they tear this place down," Hunzel says. "I hope they don't. This has lot of great memories. It has lot of great memories for the state of Iowa and the lakes.

It's a family tradition." Photos by Lloyd B. Cunningham Argus Leader Riders feel a rush on the roller coaster at Arnolds Park. 1 Iowa Classic Amusement Park" opened in 1989 after a group of area residents and business people bought the park and set about constructing new facilities and preserved what was left of the old. I Prices for Arnolds Park amusement park, Okoboji Admission for Arnolds Park and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

The em: in 1996, the park was bought by Long Lines Ltd. This summer nearby residents and park supporters are trying to raise $5.5 million by Aug. 1 to save the park from residential development. cruise ceive 1 0 percent off Ages 1 3 to 1 7, $5.50. Ages 5 to 1 2, $3.50.

Family rate: $20 for 2 adults and 2 children. Online: Arnolds Park: www.arnoldspark. com. Maritime Museum and Queen II: www.ncn.netcuratorindex.htm. For information about donating to save the park: 888-656-2654 or check the Internet at okoboji.com jrY Amusement Park.

Tax is not included: Daily Unlimited pass: More than 48 inches tall: $13.95. 36 to 48 inches: $9.95. Shorter than 36 inches: Free. Observer fee: $5. Season Pass: $29.99.

Hours: Through Aug. 21 the park is open 1 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; noon to 1 0 p.m. Saturdays park will be open after that from noon to 9 p.m. Aug.

28 and Sept. 4 and 5 and noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 29 and Sept. 6.

For information, call: 800-599-6995 or 71 2-332-21 83. Okoboji Queen II Cruise Information: Call 71 2-332-51 59 for exact cruise availability a day or two beforehand. Cost is $7.50 per adult. Seniors re gp vjslead A BIRTHDAYS Bessie Kuck Clarice Kendall Bessie Hoogestraat HAK0LI7S Argus Leader (TRAVEL a a i Bessie Hoogestraat of Sioux Falls will celebrate her 85th birthday from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at First Presbyterian Church, lower north level, at 2300 S.

West A Clarice Kendall of Sioux Falls will celebrate her 80th birthday on Wednesday, July 21, with a family gathering. Greetings may be sent to 2500 W. Bethel Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57106. Bessie Kuck of Centerville will celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 25, at Pascal Hall in Centerville.

The event will be hosted by her children. She 1 Wat Can You Sell For Bessie Kuck Clarice Kendall (Just about anything!) She requests Ressie no gifts. Greet- Hoogestraat ings may be sent to 250 1 S. Kiwanis Ave. No.

309, Sioux Falls, SD 57105. requests no gifts. Greetings may be sent to 1121 Broadway, Centerville, SD 57014. More birthdays: pages 6F and 7F. c.

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