WOODCLIFF PLEASURE PARK (1927-1941) (Poughkeepsie, NY)

The Woodcliff Pleasure Park in Institute in 1868, he purchased an a park that in terms of the number Poughkeepsie occupied a site that estate and made it into one of the and quality of attractions was by far is now the northernmost portion of finest in the Hudson Valley. the biggest in the Hudson Valley up Marist College’s campus, encom- Winslow died in 1893 but the fam- to that time. passing the present-day athletic field ily kept the estate until his second Ponty was real estate developer and a student residential housing wife Harriet passed away in 1926. and entrepreneur who had some complex just off the Hudson River’s The property was sold to John B. experience in amusement parks. east bank. Its meteoric rise and sud- and Elizabeth Marian in April 1926. In 1921, along with partner Joseph den demise were startling. The Winslows felt secure in the Haight, he built Paradise Park in The property was named “Wood knowledge that the Marians would Rye, New York on the grounds Cliff” by John Flack Winslow who continue to care for their beloved es- where Playland still stands. After a made his fortune in the iron industry tate. But only a few months later the few years the park attained a reputa- as owner of Rensselaer Iron Works Marians’ focus changed when they tion as being rowdy, rife with petty and Albany Iron Works. He was received an offer from Fred Ponty of crime, and run-down. Fire struck probably best remembered though Rye, New York (also Port Chester) Paradise Park in early 1926. Ponty for his financing and production of who wished to convert the 27-acre was bought out to make room for the iron-clad Monitor warship of estate into an amusement park. A Playland which opened its gates for Civil War fame. After retiring as the deal was struck and Ponty purchased the first time in 1928. president of Rensselaer Polytechnic the property in late 1926. He built Ponty then set his sights on 40 February/March 2013 boatingonthehudson.com building Woodcliff Pleasure Park Frolic. In addition to these standard he designed the Cyclone for Coney (the words “wood” and “cliff” were rides and attraction, an athletic arena Island. The ride was built by Joseph conjoined). The location was ideal. was built which hosted boxing and McKee. Obviously more press Bordering the Hudson River’s east wrestling matches. An athletic field was given to the Cyclone since it dock, there was ample dock space hosted equestrian events, amateur operated out of the country’s most for steamships arriving from New baseball games (some professional celebrated park but the Blue Streak York City. The “day liners” (often teams played exhibition games). A attained its own stardom. Estimates the Hudson River Dayline Com- large roller skating rink was built. A of the Blue Streak’s height were pany) carried as many as 18,000 passengers on weekends to various ports along the Hudson. Pough- keepsie was one. Several thousand of those passengers spent their day at Woodcliff. Others arrived by automobile and ample parking was provided across what is now Rte. 9. Ponty invested a sum of at least $1,000,000 into the park which was dubbed “the finest in the east” and “Coney Island without the sand”. Some of the original Winslow estate structures were saved and retrofit- ted for the park’s purposes. While some historians reported the official opening as 1928, the park’s “grand official opening” was on July 14, 1927. There is some evidence that the park opened its gates even prior THE BLUE STREAK ROLLER COASTER DOMINATED THE PARK to that. There was a report that several park employees assaulted a misbehaving patron on June 20, Tom Thumb miniature golf course between 120 and 140 feet. Popular 1927 described as “opening day”. amused young and old. An Indian Science (1927) pegged it at 132 feet. There is little doubt that the park’s village and a petting zoo helped The promoters, of course, took centerpiece was the legendary Blue keep the interest of youngsters. the higher number of 140 feet. Most Streak roller coaster. In addition, Fireworks displays often lit up the likely its height was between 120 its 110 foot by 54 outdoor ballroom night sky. Traveling circuses made and 130 feet above ground level but (later covered) was declared the their way to Woodcliff. The Ring- the highest drop descended into a largest in the state by the promot- ling Brothers Barnum and Bailey ravine below grade which could have ers. Land scapers used much of Circus arrived for a stay on July 14, added another ten feet. Regardless, what had been left by the Winslows’ 1930. The following year saw an ex- the Blue Streak was regarded as the interest in gardens, trails, etc. Ponty travaganza at Woodcliff to celebrate tallest coaster in the world topping spared no expense as these areas the opening of the nearby Pough- the Racer at Chapultepec Park in were improved with lavish groves, keepsie/Highland Bridge (now the Mexico City at 110 feet. This record shrubs, ponds, and flowered trails Mid-Hudson Bridge). Among the held until 1977 when the “Beast” at (illuminated at night) harking back to attendees was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Kings Island came in at 141 feet. European pleasure parks. Ponty surmised that the increase in The Blue Streak also clocked a Initial attractions included tradi- car traffic from the Hudson’s west top speed of 65.2 miles per hour tional rides such as bumper cars, side would be a boon to business. making it the fastest in the world pony rides, several carousels, a tun- But the Blue Streak roller coaster until the American Eagle at Six Flags nel of love, Ferris wheels, numerous dominated the park’s landscape. Great American Amusement Park at arcades, a chutes ride, a whip, lake It was designed by the legendary Kings Island surpassed it at 66 miles boat rides, a Caterpillar ride, and the Vernon Keenan in the same year per hour in 1981. No other coaster group felt they had reserved for the day including the pool and some picnic areas. Tension mounted and tempers flared. When several mem- ber of the Odd Fellows group were denied service at the inn’s bar, things got out of hand. Windows and mir- rors were smashed at the inn. Rocks and bottles were thrown into the pool injuring a child. Fights broke out, knives were drawn and cars were overturned as it turned into a ORIGINAL TICKETS FROM THE WOODCLIFF PLEASURE PARK full-scale riot. Local residents started in history has held the height and Hudson River day liners excursions to flee the park. Local police were speed records as long as the classic filled the park with visitors on week- overwhelmed and calls were made Blue Streak. The ride’s most thrill- ends, they created its final demise. for reinforcements. Finally, after ing drop brought riders to the an alert boat captain blew the ship’s wedge of the cliff where they felt as if In July 1941 a group of African- whistle attracting the mob back to they would be hurtled into the river. Americans arrived at the park and the liner, peace was restored. The portion of the ride below grade they were denied access to certain Woodcliff Pleasure Park never propelled the cars as they flashed “restricted” areas. The situation reopened. City fathers cited safety by rows of trees. Another coaster became racially charged as rocks and issues with some of the rides and called the Twister was added to bottles were thrown in and around underpasses as the reasons but it is Woodcliff’s menu in 1938. A giant swimming pool appeared in the park’s second year. It used filtered Hudson River water that Ponty felt was “…as pure and as crystal clear as the water you drink.” Claims were made that it was the largest in the east but a larger pool at Indian Point Park in Buchanan just downriver was actually larger. Woodcliff’s pool measured 50 by 200 feet. For one dollar, a child could enjoy the rides, swim in the pool, and still have enough left to buy a hot dog. Reports of many mischievous kids climbing the pool’s back fence were common. They avoided the ten cent admission. ILLUSTRATION OF THE WOODCLIFF PLEASURE PARK Bath houses followed in the next the pool area. But that was just a generally felt that the unruly crowds year. As the Great Depression took precursor to events that occurred were the real culprits hold, business suffered. There was one month later. In 1942 the legendary Blue Streak a change of ownership and improve- On August 10, 1941 the State was dismantled. Its steel rails were ments were made starting in 1935 as of Delaware steamer arrived with donated to the war effort. Some of the park struggled on. The boxing 3,000 members of the Odd Fellows its wood was later used by the Marist and wrestling matches continued Lodge. This was to be the African- brothers to build an apiary nearby. to draw well perhaps extending the American group’s annual excursion park’s tenure. to Woodcliff. Upon arrival they Excerpted from Lost Amusement With World War II right around noticed about 1,000 members of a Parks of the Hudson Valley by the corner, the park came to a sud- local Polish-American group were Wesley and Barbara H. Gottlock den and shocking end. While the occupying certain areas the city www.gottlockbooks.com