Mid Summer – Lack of updates
Well its August and There is still little in the way of updates to the demise or schedule.
We’ve heard that there have been truckloads of debris being moved into the back of the parking lot from somewhere in the front of the property. We assume this is just the effect of preparing the site for construction (first phase), removing old pavement and digging foundations, and the like.
Hopefully hte developers have had the foresight to consider preserving some of the older original growth that still exists (between the old kiddie land and the comet). There are several really large pines and maples back there, and are in excess of 200+ feet high and in very good health. Some of the older pictures show some of them and can be seen in the older Giant Coaster films (looks like that was pretty high for an old side friction coaster, it was below the treeline, but barely).
The word from the field is that the Comet is still standing and not too much has changed in the core of the park. We are still trying to get updated from the developers and our emails have been largely ignored. Supposedly l’m on their ‘mailing list’ and will get updates, alas silence and no new news.
We have also been trying to get a hold of the parks historian in the hope that we could get a hold of some historic pictures and film footage showing the park and its history. Some of the footage that is in the “Lincoln Park Remembered” video give us teases of what is suspected to be a much more detailed look at both the Giant Coaster and the Comet in action. We will keep trying it’s just to tempting to pass on these jewels from the past.
We have also been trying to get word back from Little-A-Merrik-A on the fate of the Comets infamous NAD cars, their state and what plans they have for them. Understandably word back has been slow coming as they are in full swing for their season, and are very busy. I missed the initial window to converse with them (initially just before they were opening for the season) so I’ll keep trying.
In the mean time we’ve been offered a couple of photo collections from a couple contributors (Thanks Ray and Mike ) that we’ll be weaving into the galleries and stories. A couple have already worked their way into our ‘anatomy’ section ….
Well thats about all we know now, and hope to keep pressing on in our quest for details, history artifacts, film and pictures …..
As always contributuins are welcome… keep checking in
-Pete-Team LPComet
August 26th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Is there anything anyone else could do to help? Perhaps if more people are pressing for info the developers may bend and give some? I’d be happy to help if I can. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help out! – Lisa Charland
September 14th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
It is really sad how little remains. I drive by the park everyday on my way to work. I always want to stop and take photographs and never do. I went Monday because I wanted something just in case they start clearing more space. Despite the comet’s lift hill being down and the platform roof being down, the comet isn’t that bad considering it has sat there for 21 years with no updates. I was sure to photograph and video lots. I’m going back this Wednesday if the weather is nice for more picture and video taking. I was hoping to go again when the leaves have fallen off, but I’m afraid they might start working again before then.
I took home a chip of white paint from the coaster, an inch long spliter of wood from the track coming out of the station and a big round washer that was in the grass beneath the comet.
I made a video on youtube (Pete also put it up on the site) of pictures over the years.
So sad to see what has become of such a wonderful place.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
There’s a man named John Hunt who builds the mosts spectacular models of old wooden roller coasters. They are HO sclae and a model of the Comet sells for $650. It’s amazing. Google “roller coaster models” and it’ll take you straight to his website.