When I was young, my family would go to Cedar Point and Geauga Lake a few times each year. I remember being fascinated by the way rides like Mr. Hyde’s Nasty Fall, Top Thrill Dragster, and many others functioned.
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Author: Kevin F. Smith
Giant Penny Paperweight from Summit Beach Park
Summit Beach Park was a noteworthy attraction in Akron for over 40 years, quickly growing to absorb the neighboring Lakeside Park. I have personally seen very few surviving Summit Beach relics, but I’m excited to share that I’ve acquired a very nice souvenir paperweight from the park! Essentially an oversized penny, one side is nearly identical to a similar one I own from Euclid Beach, other than the park’s name. However, the other side of this one is completely different, featuring an embossed image of a Native American.
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“Why I Keep The Essence Of Euclid Beach Park Alive” (Poem)
I wrote this poem around 2011 to honor the legacy of Euclid Beach Park and everyone who was a part of its history. It also doubles as an expression of my commitment to keeping that legacy alive for current and future generations.
Read moreJulie Smith’s Euclid Beach Park Memories
Even though I was only 14 years old when Euclid Beach Park closed, I still have wonderful memories of that special place. It had its own unique sounds, smells, and “feel.” When I told my brother of my involvement as a board member of Euclid Beach Park Now (EBPN), even he said, “That was your favorite place in the whole world!”
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Surviving Euclid Beach Park Campground Structures
During a recent visit to Euclid Beach, I took a walk into the nearby Wildwood Park (both properties are part of the Cleveland Metroparks’ Euclid Creek Reservation today) to get a look through the fence at the 3 concrete cottages from the original Euclid Beach Park campground which still stand on the present-day trailer park property (currently under redevelopment). The cottages are not in good condition, but I’m cautiously optimistic that they could possibly be restored or at least preserved. I’ve heard it suggested that one or more of these buildings should eventually become a small museum about Euclid Beach Park’s history, and while I’m not currently aware of any official decisions or plans for the cottages, I personally think that a permanent historical display there would be wonderful!
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