THE HISTORY OF STORYBOOK LAND/LAND OF OZ

Storybook Land

The world is built on dreams! These dreams require hard work and dedication. Thanks to the efforts of the Aberdeen Sertoma Club, the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and innumerable service clubs, businesses and individuals that have donated labor, materials and money, the development of Storybook Land and the Land of Oz has become a reality.

In 1971, the Aberdeen Park and Recreation Board entered into an agreement with Hoskins – Western Sonderegger Engineers Architects from Lincoln, Nebraska to complete a master plan for the development of Wylie Park. The master plan reflected on the increasing use of Wylie Park and the need to develop a plan guiding future park improvements. Major features of the plan included improving picnic and playground areas, development of walking trails and zoo exhibits, as well as establishing a campground.

A major feature of the master plan called for the development of a Storybook Land theme play area relating to various books, fairytales and nursery rhymes. The Storybook exhibits would be designed and constructed in such a way as to encourage active involvement by the participants. The plan also called for the development of another theme play area called the Land of Oz relating to the story written by L. Frank Baum, “The Wizard of Oz”.

A separate master plan for Storybook Land and the Land of Oz was completed by Hoskins - Western Sonderegger in 1972. The master plan explained that the basic concept of Storybook Land and the Land of Oz was to provide children of all ages an area where active participation will create individual interest in each of the storybook and Oz characters presented. Storybook Land and Land of Oz will be a fantasy of design, color, animation and music that will delight young and old alike with an outdoor stage of settings pertaining to fairytales, nursery rhymes and the Wizard of Oz.

The Aberdeen Sertoma Club agreed to provide the $3,575 required to fund the Storybook Land/Land of Oz Master Plan. Upon completion of the master plan, the Sertoma Club made a commitment to adopt the development of the theme park areas as their club project.

Over the years, Sertoma members have poured over 1,200 feet of sidewalk in Storybook Land, including the Yellow Brick Road and the entrance plaza. The Sertoma Club, the Army Reserve and City crews hauled rock for the entrance plaza and for rip rapping the stream.

Sertoma members alone have volunteered over 8,000 hours of labor to the development of Storybook Land. Along with that are countless hours and dollars put into the park by other service organizations, businesses, individuals and park department employees. Without this community support, the dreams of a few could not have become reality for thousands.

In 1973, the City received a Land and Water Conservation Grant for $69,000 to begin the development of Storybook Land. These funds were used for site development that included placing boundary fences, installing security lighting and constructing the stream and moat.

In 1976, a mill with waterwheel was sponsored and constructed by the Cosmopolitan Club. Water is pumped over the wheel, down the stream and is returned to the moat.

The second project finished was the Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater House, sponsored by Zonta Club. The pumpkin was built from concrete and was designed large enough to host children’s birthday parties.

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The development of Storybook Land had a slow start, as from 1973 to 1980 only two fairytale “sets” were completed. In the next three years, 25 “sets” were completed. A “set” is a complete, life-size or larger display depicting a favorite children’s fairytale rhyme scene or character.

A variety of methods have been used to raise funds for Storybook Land. The Kiwanis Club held their annual pancake feed to help raise funds for the construction of Hickory Dickory Dock and Humpty Dumpty. KSDN Radio sponsored a gift certificate promotion that raised $2,000 for Storybook Land.

Not all donations have been monetary. The Aberdeen Board of Realtors planted trees for Arbor Day. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides volunteers to clean up litter and assist in maintaining the grounds at Storybook Land. Volunteers also staff the Santa House Visitor Information Center.

Some other examples of projects donated to Storybook Land by service clubs and organizations include: the Flagpole and Flag sponsored by the Exchange Club; the Lion Drinking Fountain sponsored by the Lion’s Club; the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe sponsored by LaSertoma Club; Mary, Mary Quite Contrary sponsored by the Association for Childhood Education; Frosty the Snowman sponsored by the Jaycees, and Snyder the Spider sponsored by Xi Alpha Sigma.

The Sertoma Club sponsored the Billy Goats Gruff Bridge and the Jayceettes and LaSertoma Clubs sponsor the spring animals.

The Jack and Jill project was sponsored by Norwest Bank and constructed by the Parks Division staff. Construction began on Jack and Jill’s Hill late in 1983 and was completed in June of 1984. The project required $7,800 worth of materials, which consisted of 1,000 yards of fill material, a wishing well and water line materials, a drinking fountain, wave slide, sod, fence and concrete. The hill with the fountain and slide is a popular attraction for children of all ages.

In addition to donations from service clubs, organizations and businesses, there have been donations from individuals as well, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears sponsored by K. Squire, Sr. and the Pheasants, which were donated by Leo Weber. The Pheasants were formerly displayed on Sixth Avenue and by the Orpheum Theatre. Originally they were gold and represented the Aberdeen Golden Pheasant Festival.

Mr. Weber also designed and constructed other projects with volunteers from Sertoma Club assisting. These projects include the Little Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe; the Cow Jumped over the Moon; Goldilocks and the Three Bears; the Wolf from the Three Little Pigs; the Cinderella set; Moby Dick; Mary, Mary Quite Contrary; and Frosty the Snowman.

Don Nordling and KSDN Radio donated the Storybook Land entrance sign. The Sertoma Club funded the landscaping at the entrance to Storybook Land.

In 1985, the Sertoma Club conducted a community-wide fundraising event for the construction of the Storybook Land Castle that serves a focal point and center of attraction and activity for Storybook Land. The Sertoma Club raised over $250,000 for completion of the project as a result of the generous support of the entire community. Today, the Castle serves as the sight of the Storybook Land Theatre Company performances, band concerts, family movies, Fables and Fairytales Story Time, and numerous special events.

The development of Storybook Land continued in 1986 with the completion of the Maze sponsored by the District I Medical Auxiliary, and in 1997, the Ramkota Inn sponsored the Bambi display, Bugsy was sponsored by Aberdeen Central High School Class of 1977, the Castle Knights were sponsored by LaSertoma Club and Hatterscheidt Foundation, Knight on White Horse by Kiwanis Sunrisers, and Yogi Bear and Boo Boo by the Robert McGee and Kyle Kary families.

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In 1988, the Dakota Midland Hospital Auxiliary sponsored the construction of Santa’s House, a 320 square foot building with a Christmas theme. A fiberglass Santa Claus character sponsored by LaSertoma Club sits on a park bench outside Santa’s House and waves to park visitors as they stroll by. Santa’s House serves as the Visitor Information Center and is staffed by the Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The CVB distributes information to park visitors on the Aberdeen area and Northeastern South Dakota.

The Paul Bunyan character was sponsored by Modern Woodmen of America Camp 13373 and Schatz Insurance Agency in 1989. In addition, the Gingerbread Man was sponsored as a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. J.A. McDairmid.

The Aberdeen Sertoma Club purchased a small rubber-tire miniature train in March of 1989 from an individual in Keystone, South Dakota. The Sertoma Club paid $7,200 for the train consisting of a locomotive and four small passenger cars that would carry from 20-24 riders. A train route was established around the perimeter of Storybook Land, one-half mile in length. The train locomotive was constructed of fiberglass and retrofitted to attach to the frame of a small tractor. The Sertoma Club established a fee of 50¢ per person to ride the train. In the train’s first season of operation in 1989, 28,435 rides were given. The Aberdeen Sertoma Club and Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department would operate and manage the operation of the train with all profits used for future Storybook Land improvements.

In 1989, the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department remodeled the School House from the Mary had a Little Lamb exhibit to be used as a gift shop to serve Storybook Land. The gift shop is operated by the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and net profits are used for Storybook Land improvements. The gift shop is very small and future plans are to expand and develop a new gift shop.

The Recreation Division of the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department established the Storybook Land Theatre Company in 1989. Conceived as theatre by adults for children, the company consisted of a director and four actors of high school or college age. A different play was presented three times each week for four weeks. The theatre performances were a great success with over 3,500 people attending the 12 performances. Due to the success of this program and the interest shown by the community, the theatre program has expanded over the years.

In 1990, the Storybook Land Theatre Company was selected to receive the Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award honors programs that take an innovative approach to arts, humanities and recreation. Doug Johnson, Director the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, was presented with the award at the NRPA Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

A Winnie the Pooh exhibit was developed in the north side of Jack and Jill’s Hill in 1990. The project was a memorial to V.J. (Bob) and Amy Cavanaugh. In addition, a Snow White and Seven Dwarves exhibit was placed north of the Castle in memory of David J. Deibert.

In 1991, the Burlington Northern Foundation funded the placement of a Pinocchio exhibit. A Rapunzel and Prince display was placed at the entrance of the Castle as a memorial to Michael Pistulka. Food Bonanza sponsored the placement of the Little Miss Muffet display.

The Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department takes great pride in the quality of grounds maintenance and the beauty of Storybook Land which results from the concentrated efforts of the grounds maintenance staff. In 1991, the department was recognized for its efforts by the Professional Grounds

3 Management Society when it was selected to receive its Professional Grounds Maintenance Award in recognition of outstanding park maintenance practices. The national award highlighted the beauty of the trees, shrubs, and floral areas within Storybook Land. Grounds management practices of Wylie Park staff were featured in an article in the November 1992 issue of Grounds Maintenance Magazine.

The Aberdeen Sertoma Club in conjunction with the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department began its most ambitious fundraising project on November 11, 1997. The Club announced plans to kick off a major fund drive to collect nearly a half-million dollars for a new miniature train to replace the rubber-tire train that has been in operation at Storybook Land since 1989, and has given over 250,000 rides. The old train had many major limitations, including limited carrying capacity and not being accessible to the disabled.

With strong support of the public, the Sertoma Club was successful in the effort to raise over $500,000 for the placement of a new train in Storybook Land. The new train holds up to 100 people at a time, including the elderly and handicapped. The locomotive is a scale model replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington with four passenger coaches. The route has been expanded from a half mile to nearly a mile long ride through the zoo area and the Land of Oz. The train runs on 24-inch gauge steel track and there are authentic rail crossing signals with bells and crossing gates.

The Sertoma Club also relocated an authentic 16 foot by 48 foot train depot to Storybook Land to serve as a railroad depot museum providing an educational opportunity in a fun setting, relating to visitors the importance of the railroads to Aberdeen’s existence today. The depot was built in 1881 for Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. The line extended from Tracy, MN to Huron, SD and then to Rudolph and to Ordway. In use until 1908, the Rudolph stop was named for a C & NW official, H. Rudolph McCullough. By 1925, Rudolph’s economy had collapsed because of nearby growth of railroad cities Warner and Aberdeen, and most people had already moved from the community. In 1925, after a fire burned down the depot in Columbia 32 miles northwest, the out-of-service Rudolph station was moved to replace the destroyed depot. It remained in service for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.

In 1967 the Karlen family purchased the Columbia Depot. It was no longer in service for the Chicago and Northwestern. They moved it to their family home where the depot was used as a garage and workshop. The family donated the historic depot to the City of Aberdeen in 1998, knowing the importance of railroading in Aberdeen history and with hopes of preserving the building.

The Sertoma Club, with the assistance of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has worked to complete the renovation of the depot. The depot provides a wonderful exhibit and an environment for learning and entertainment with primary emphasis on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. The depot museum includes a furnished passenger waiting room and ticket office area. The freight room includes exhibit panels providing interesting historical information. A ten-minute video funded by the Kiwanis Club is available for viewing on railroading history in Brown County.

The new train kicked off operations on May 26, 2000. Over 60,000 people rode the train in its first season. A train dedication ceremony was conducted June 18, 2000. A train storage building and maintenance shop was completed in 2001. The train and depot have been exciting additions to Storybook Land.

In recent years efforts have focused on restoring and reconstructing a number of the original displays which were developed in Storybook Land. In 2001, the Straw House from the Three Little Pigs display was replaced as well as the playground equipment sponsored by Avera St. Luke’s Hospital which was located at the entrance to the area. In 2002, the Stick House from the Three Little Pigs display was replaced and the interior of the castle was renovated. In 2003, the Hickory Dickory Dock display was reconstructed and the Old McDonalds barn was renovated. In 2004 and 2005 the security light system serving Storybook Land was replaced. In 2005 the maze was reconstructed.

The Sertoma Club and the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department continue to look for ways to improve and enhance the area.

4 In May of 2005 the Park and Recreation Board entered into an agreement with International Theme Park Services from Cincinnati, Ohio to assist in updating the Storybook Land Maser Plan which included developing a plan for a new visitor center at the entrance to Storybook Land. The Sertoma Club and City are jointly funding the expense of updating the master plan. In August of 2005 representatives of International Theme Park Services visited Aberdeen and toured Storybook Land and met with local officials to discuss conceptual ideas for improving Storybook Land and developing a new visitor center.

The conceptual design for a new visitor center is complete and calls for constructing a 4,080 square foot building. All those who visit Storybook Land and the Land of Oz will have to go through the center to enter the park. The hallway in the center of the building will provide several historical panels telling the history of the park and how it came to be. The new center will provide an attractive and functional facility which will provide a fitting welcome for the thousands of visitors who come to the park each season. The building will include a 700 square foot gift shop with an office area for the gift shop manager and storage area for the gift shop products. It will include a concession area with an office area for the food concessions manager and a storage area for food products. There will be an indoor seating area 644 square feet in size which can accommodate 42 people. The indoor food court will be used by the public and will be available to host birthday parties and other gatherings. The indoor seating area will link to an outdoor picnic patio which will be located inside of the Storybook Land area. The outdoor picnic patio will be 1,080 square feet in size and will accommodate up to 72 people. Large umbrellas will be installed to provide shade to the area.

There will be many benefits to be gained as a result of building a new visitor center. A new gift shop will allow for adequate room to display and sell Storybook Land and Oz souvenirs and gifts. The current gift shop is not large enough and it is situated in a poor location. The food concession area will be heated and air-conditioned and will provide park visitors with a comfortable indoor seating area to relax on days when the weather is uncomfortable. The new facility will also have modern handicap accessible restrooms. The new building will be brightly colored with a Storybook Land theme and will provide an exciting experience for those who visit the park. Fundraising efforts for the new visitor center will begin in the near future.

The Land of Oz

An exciting new addition to Wylie Park now under development is an entirely new theme area called the “Land of Oz”.

The design and layout of the Land of Oz is based primarily on the original “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” story as written by L. Frank Baum who once lived and worked in Aberdeen. The theme park recreates characters and settings from the story and is being developed based on descriptions by Mr. Baum.

The entrance to the theme park features Dorothy’s farmstead including Dorothy’s house, a “hands-on” petting zoo area with farm animals, and an antique farm tractor. The farmstead also includes a small cornfield that is planted and harvested annually.

To enter the Land of Oz, visitors will enter Dorothy’s House and go through a maze, which will create the feeling of being in a tornado. Upon exiting the maze, visitors will come out of Dorothy’s House that will appear to have crash-landed in Munchkin Land in the Land of Oz.

Munchkin Land will be surrounded by large berms or banks that will be planted with lovely flowers. A small brook will be developed through the area that will flow into a small pond at the center of Munchkin Land. Miniature Munchkin houses will be constructed and placed in the area, and Munchkin characters will be placed in various sites. At the center of Munchkin Land, the yellow brick road will begin and lead visitors to other settings that will be located in the Land of Oz.

Sets located along the yellow brick road include the Scarecrow’s House, the Tin Woodsman’s House, the Apple Tree Forest, the Lion’s Den, the Wicked Witch’s Cauldron and the Haunted Forest.

5 The Emerald City, to be located in the center of the Land of Oz, will serve as the focal point and center of attraction for the area. If developed as described in the story, a wall of bright green color would surround the Emerald City and at the entrance would be a large gate. The Emerald City would include construction of the Great Emerald Hall that would be a facility serving a variety of functions.

The building would be 8,000 – 9,000 square feet in size. The building would feature an activity hall, Oz Museum, kitchen/concession area, restrooms and would serve as a reception area for conventions, site of special events and recreation programs, and be available to rent for wedding receptions, class reunions, family reunions and other large group gatherings.

The Great Emerald Hall will be the most costly project associated with the development of the Land of Oz and will require a major community-wide fundraising effort. The completion of this project is likely to be one of the final projects to be accomplished.

The Emerald City will also include a courtyard/plaza area consisting of a fountain and seating area for visitors. The plaza will be large enough to host receptions and serve as an overflow area for activities scheduled in the Great Emerald Hall. Special events or entertainment could be scheduled in the courtyard area in conjunction with rentals, convention receptions and other activities.

Another major project in the Emerald City, which is currently in place, is a replica of the Wizard’s hot air balloon. The balloon is full-size and constructed of fiberglass. The balloon is located in front of the future site of the Great Emerald Hall and will be a major focal point of the plaza. Also to be located within the plaza area will be L. Frank Baum memorabilia with tentative plans to place a bronze bust of Baum with a plaque explaining Mr. Baum’s background and contribution to society.

The journey to the Land of Oz began on August 2, 1992, when the Aberdeen Sertoma Club and the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department held a groundbreaking ceremony officially kicking off the development of the Land of Oz. Aberdeen Mayor Tim Rich was on hand for the ceremony and participated in the groundbreaking activities. In addition to the ceremony, free train rides were given, free balloons were given away, Wizard of Oz characters roamed in the park and a special showing of “Wizard of Oz” took place in the Castle.

One of the first improvements to the Land of Oz was the construction of the Yellow Brick Road. On April 10, 1990, the voters of Aberdeen approved an additional 1% sales tax to be in place for 12 months with proceeds from the tax to be used for Wylie Park improvements. The tax generated over $2,500,000. While the majority of funding was used for park improvements outside of Storybook Land and the Land of Oz areas, $100,000 was used to construct the Yellow Brick Road in 1993.

One of the first structures placed in the Land of Oz was Dorothy’s House. The two-story residence was purchased by St. Luke’s Midland Regional Medical Center and was donated for use as Dorothy’s House. The house was moved from its original location at 623 SE 2 nd Avenue to the Land of Oz on January 11, 1994.

The Aberdeen Kiwanis Club constructed the Scarecrow’s House and placed it in the Land of Oz in the spring of 1994 along with the Scarecrow character. Dr. and Mrs. Ray Tan sponsored the Dorothy character that was also placed in the park in 1994. The Farmers and Merchants Bank donated funds for the placement of five large exposed aggregate concrete planters in Munchkin Land in 1994 in memory of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Rhodes.

A new train tunnel was constructed during the summer of 1994. The tunnel is 11 feet in diameter and 50 feet long and was placed at the entrance to the Land of Oz area. A plaza area with sitting benches is located on top of the tunnel.

Beginning in 1981, the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department in cooperation with Alexander Mitchell Library, the Boy and Girl Scouts, the Boys and Girls Club, Aberdeen Family Y and the Aberdeen

6 Area Arts Council hosted the Youth Heritage Arts Festival. The Festival featured the rich history and culture of the prairie pioneers. The goal of the event was to provide educational and recreational experiences for young and old alike, and travel back in time through the various changes that took place on the prairie. Festival activities included games, demonstrations by artists, crafts, home arts, and demonstrations by groups such as the Dacotah Territory Muzzleloaders and Dacotah Prairie Museum. The event was so popular, it became an annual event. The Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department won a national award in 1994 from the National Recreation and Park Association recognizing the Youth Heritage Arts Festival. The award was the Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award, which recognize programs that take an innovative approach to the arts, humanities and recreation.

Efforts continued on the development of the Land of Oz in 1995. The Aunt Em character was sponsored by Wal-Mart and Gelinda the Good Witch character was sponsored by Aman Collection Service, Tom and Danielle Aman, and Dan and Ardis Moen. The K.O. Lee Company sponsored the construction of the Tin Man’s House and Tin Man character.

On May 31, 1995, the South Dakota National Guard hauled 127 cubic yards of rock from the Crazy Horse Monument near Custer to the Land of Oz. The rock came from blasting at the monument and will be used to riprap the stream in Munchkin Land.

The Aberdeen Sertoma Club made a major acquisition for the Land of Oz on Wednesday, April 26, 1995, when the club purchased a 36-ft. diameter, 30-horse, Allan Herschell 3-row carousel. The Sertoma Club purchased the carousel at an auction in Phoenix, Arizona for a price of $58,162.50 and paid $3,000 to have the carousel shipped to Aberdeen. A concrete pad, 43 feet in diameter, was poured in the Land of Oz and volunteers form the Sertoma Club and the staff of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department assembled the carousel upon its arrival in Aberdeen. The carousel was put into operation June 16 and 23,730 rides were given through Sunday, September 10, when the carousel closed for the season. A fee of 50¢ was established to ride the carousel.

The Sertoma Club went on a major fund drive to help pay for the carousel. Sponsorships of horses were sold for $2,000 a horse and smaller donations were also accepted. There was overwhelming support for the project and the funds necessary to pay for the carousel were donated in a short time.

In 1996, the Aberdeen Sertoma Club continued the efforts to raise funds for the carousel in hope of raising sufficient funds to pay for a shelter to permanently house the carousel. The club had raised enough funds to purchase a shelter in the spring of 1996. The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department assisted in the purchase of a 54-foot polygon, steel frame shelter that has a tongue and groove roof with cedar shingles.

The shelter was purchased from W.H. Porter, Inc. of Holland, Michigan in March of 1996 for a price of $43,600 for materials only. The Parks Division staff began construction of the shelter in the spring and completed it on Thursday, July 11. The carousel could not operate until shelter construction was complete, so the first day of carousel operation was July 11. Even with a shortened season, 18,425 rides were given through September 15. In the fall of 1996, after the carousel closed for the season, rolling metal doors were mounted on each of the eight openings on the carousel shelter allowing for protection of the carousel from inclement weather and vandalism. The Sertoma Club paid $23,450 for the doors and, in total, had over $80,000 invested in the shelter not including the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department labor to construct the shelter.

In the carousel’s first full season of operation in 1997, 34,130 rides were given. The carousel continues to be a major attraction in the Land of Oz. The fee to ride the carousel increased to 75¢ in 1998.

A new Land of Oz tradition began in 1997. The First Annual L. Frank Baum Festival was held at Wylie Park. The festival included various Chautauqua events, strolling storytellers and Oz characters, Wizard of Oz memorabilia and live theatre productions of the play “The Wizard of Oz”. The festival was a great success with several thousand people attending.

7 Development in the Land of Oz continued in 1997 with the placement of the Uncle Henry character placed in memory of Dr. James W. Anderson. The placement of three of the talking trees in the Apple Tree Forest also took place and was funded by numerous sponsors. Several of the trees actually have pre-recorded messages warning visitors to turn back or the Wicked Witch would get them. The recordings are motion activated.

There were a number of new additions to Oz in 1998. The Lion’s Den, sponsored by the Aberdeen Lion’s Club was completed. The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department staff completed construction of the display. The Lion character was sponsored by Sally and Ka Squire, Jr. in memory of Vicki Squire. Visitors enter the Lion’s Den through a 50-foot long cave where they confront the Cowardly Lion in his den. Visitors exit the Lion’s Den through another 50-foot long cave.

Work was also completed on the petting zoo barn and exhibit areas located in Dorothy’s farmstead. The petting zoo will feature many small farm animals such as goats, sheep, pigs and chickens. the Kiwanis Sunrisers Club sponsored the materials required to construct the barn. The students of the Hub Area Vocational School constructed the barn.

The sign for the entrance to Munchkin Land and the Munchkin character was placed in August 1998 and was sponsored by the K.O. Lee Company.

The Wizard’s Balloon, sponsored by the employees of Harms Oil and Dakota Oil was placed in August, 1998. The life-size fiberglass balloon stands 28-feet tall and is 16-feet in diameter. The Wizard character, sponsored in memory of Dr. Robert C. McGee stands in the balloon basket ready to depart from the Emerald City.

In 1999, a building was constructed to provide restroom and concession facilities to serve the Land of Oz. A picnic patio was constructed adjacent to the concession stand to provide comfortable seating for park visitors. The picnic patio includes large umbrellas to provide shade in the patio area.

The development of the Land of Oz has continued over the years with the continued development of Munchkin Land. Additional munchkin houses and characters have been added to the area. The development of the reflecting pond and stream are near completion and landscaping and beautification of the area is on-going. In 2003 special effects were added to Dorothy’s House with the addition of a maze at the rear. As visitors walk through the maze they experience wind and sound affects which creates the feeling of being in a tornado and as the visitor exits the maze they enter Munchkin Land in the Land of Oz.

In 2005, the Sertoma Club completed a major fundraising campaign to install a new balloon ride in the Land of Oz adjacent to the soon to be developed Emerald City. The club raised over $300,000 and purchased a Samba Tower balloon ride. The ride features eight festive balloons which can accommodate up to 32 people. Powered by a hydraulic cylinder, the balloons slowly rise and rotate until they reach a maximum height of 32 feet. Once it reaches the top, the balloon continues to rotate and offers a panoramic view of the Land of Oz until it makes its descent. The Wizard’s Balloon ride began operations in June of 2005 and provided 39,088 rides in its first season of operation.

Updated 7/12/2006

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STORYBOOK LAND

1. Old MacDonald’s Barn – First Bank of Aberdeen 2. Old MacDonald’s Farmhand – In Loving Memory of Gottlieb and Ida Haux from their children and grandchildren 3. Hickory Dickory Dock and Mouse – Kiwanis Club 4. The Cow Jumped Over the Moon – Super City Merchants 5. Three Little Pigs Brick House – Barton Masonry 6. Little Pig Character (Brick House) – John Morrell & Company 7. Three Little Pigs Straw House – Aberdeen Postal Clerks Union Local 68 8. Little Pig Character (Straw House) 9. Three Little Pigs Stick House – Post Office Carriers 10. Little Pig Character (Stick House) – Mid-Dakota Pork Producer 11. Gentle Ben – Machinist Union 12. Noah’s Ark – Sertoma Club and City of Aberdeen 13. Jack Be Nimble Candlesticks and Jack Character – in Memory of Brandon Michael Brink 14. Billy Goat’s Gruff – Sertoma Club 15. Lion and the Mouse – Quality Quick Print 16. Mary, Mary Quite Contrary – Association for Childhood Education 17. Fun House – Keeley’s Incorporated and the Parks Division Employees 18. Jack and Jill’s Hill and Jack and Hill Characters – Norwest Bank of Aberdeen 19. Humpty Dumpty – Kiwanis Club 20. Frosty the Snowman - Jaycees 21. Little Engine that Could – Milwaukee Women’s Group 22. Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe – LaSertoma Club 23. House that Jack Built – Dutenhoffer Construction 24. Pumpkin House – Zonta Club 25. Lion Drinking Fountain – Lion’s Club 26. Pheasants – Leo Weber 27. Mill House and Waterwheel – Cosmopolitan Club 28. Spring Animals – LaSertoma and Jaycettes 29. Captain Hook’s Ship - Kesslers 30. Goldilocks and the Three Bears – Ka P. Squire, Sr. 31. Playground Equipment - St. Luke’s Hospital/Mother Joseph Manor/Presentation Health System/Presentation College 32. Flagpole and Flag – Exchange Club 33. Cinderella – Coca Cola Bottling Company of Aberdeen 34. Snyder the Spider – XI Alpha Sigma 35. Entrance Sign – Don Nordling and KSDN Radio 36. Gorilla Swing – Aberdeen Dental Associates 37. Jack and the Beanstalk – Mid-Continent Cable Company 38. Storybook Land Maze – District I Medical Auxiliary 39. Mother Goose – Family Y Sewing Ladies 40. Bambi Exhibit – Ramkota Inn Employees 41. Spray Porpoise – Dakota Midland Hospital Employees 42. Medieval Knight – LaSertoma Club 43. Medieval Knight – Hatterscheidt Foundation 44. Knight on the White Horse – Kiwanis Sunrisers 45. Yogi Bear and Boo Boo – Robert, Donna and Sean McGee and Kyle, Shannon, Jordan and Joshua Kary 46. Three Little Kittens – In Memory of Roberta and Jessica Clausen 47. Mary Had a Little Lamb – 3M of Aberdeen 48. The Purple Cow – Aberdeen Central Class of 1933 49. The Black Stallion – In Memory of Gerald “Jerry” Reid 50. Fire Engine – Aberdeen Fire Department & Aberdeen Fire Fighters of Local 446 51. Bugsy – Aberdeen Central Class of 1977 52. Rainbow – Northern State College – Industrial Arts Club Epsilon Pi Tau 53. Paul Bunyan – Modern Woodmen of America Camp 13373/Schatz Insurance Agency 54. Babe the Blue Ox – The Lumber Company Employees 55. Gingerbread Man – In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. McDiarmid 56. Miniature Horse – Yelduz Shrine Horse Patrol 57. Miniature Horse – Sunset Saddle Club, CHS Class of 73, In Memory of Paul E. Lutgen, George Kelly, LaVerne Saunders 58. Santa’s House – Dakota Midland Hospital Auxiliary 59. Santa Claus – LaSertoma Club

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Storybook Page 2

60. Lion – Aberdeen Women of Today 61. Dorothy and Toto – Sally and Phil Friedman 62. Scarecrow – Aberdeen Bells and Beaux’s Square Dance Club and Aberdeen Area Weight Watchers 63. Tin Man – Paul Mardian Scrap Metal Recycling Company 64. Witch – SD School for the Visually Handicapped 65. Candy Cone Slide – In Memory of Philip M. Jung, Jr. 66. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – In Memory of David J. Deibert from Co-workers, Family and Friends 67. Winnie the Pooh - In Memory of V.J. (Bob) and Amy Cavanaugh 68. Little Miss Muffet – Food Bonanza 69. Golden Eagle – Aberdeen Central High, Class of ’57. 70. Rapunzel & Prince – In Memory of Michael Pistulka 71. Pinocchio – Burlington Northern 72. Footbridge (By Rainbow) – Sponsored by Aberdeen Central High, Class of ’72 73. Footbridge (By Jack and Jill’s Hill) – Sponsored by Johanna Christensen Nelson Family 74. ABC Building Bocks – available for sponsorship 75. Beetle Climber – In Memory of Jill Satrang 76. Castle – Community-Wide Sponsorship 77. Concrete Turtle – Sunrisers Kiwanis Club 78. Donation Pig – available for sponsorship 79. Elephant Tot Slide – Driftbusters Snowmobile Club 80. Exerglide Swing – In Memory of Harold and Gertrude Nelson 81. Gametime Tot Unit with Spiral Slide – available for sponsorship 82. London Bridge Tot Slide – available for sponsorship 83. Mary’s School House – 3M Aberdeen 84. Concrete Dolphin – Sunrisers Kiwanis Club 85. Wolf – available for sponsorship 86. Tic-Tac-Toe, Beetle Climber and Swings – In Memory of Kelly Lux 87. Woodsey the Owl – available for sponsorship 88. Dinosaur – In Memory of Gladie “Nana” Wells 89. Archie – available for sponsorship

updated – 1/2/2002

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LAND OF OZ

1. Dorothy’s House – St. Luke’s Midland Regional Medical Center 2. Dorothy’s Character – Dr. Raymundo and Maria Tan, Tanyia and Ramar Tan 3. Scarecrow Character – Kiwanis Club 4. Scarecrow’s House – Kiwanis Club 5. Concrete Planters (four) – In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. Rhoades 6. Gelinda – sponsored by Aman Collection Service, Inc.; Tom and Danielle Aman; Dan and Ardis Moen 7. Tin Man’s House/Character – K.O. Lee Company 8. The Wizard – In Loving Memory of Dr. Robert C. McGee from Family and Friends 9. Aunt Em – Walmart 10. Oz Mural – Sponsored by the Paul and Mayme Green Foundation 11. Talking Trees (three) – sponsored by Norwest Bank, George and Donna Duch, John and Martha Rath, Aberdeen Central High School Class of 1949 and 1985 12. Lion’s Den – Lions Club 13. Lion Character – Sponsored by Sally and Ka Squire Jr. in Memory of Vicki Squire 14. Wizards Balloon – Co-sponsored by the Employees of Harms Oil and Dakota Oil 15. Wizard’s Basket – Sponsored by Dan and Mary Kartak 16. Petting Zoo Barn – Kiwanis Sunrisers 17. Petting Zoo Exhibit Area (East Side) - 18. Petting Zoo Exhibit Area (West Side) - 19. Munchkin Land Sign/Character – Hub City, Inc. 20. Uncle Henry – In Memory of Dr. James W. Anderson 21. Carousel – Community Wide Sponsorship 22. Carousel Shelter – Community Wide Sponsorship 23. Munchkin Land Bridge – Coffee Cup Fuel Stops

updated – 1/2/2002

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