Lakemont Park to remain closed for second summer
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — The rides at Lakemont Park will not reopen again for the upcoming summer.
Managers of the park and Blair County Commissioners aren't commenting on the closure or what needs to be done to reopen the rides. But in an email to WTAJ News, Commissioner Dave Kessling called the park unsustainable and said there is ongoing discussion about the future of Lakemont Park.
The park was given to the county decades ago, and the estate that gifted them the park spelled out in specific terms what the property could and could not be used for. But according to Kessling, due to the age of the document, the interpretation of the property's use could be open for debate.
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He went on to say that while multiple managers have tried to keep Lakemont Park open, their efforts have not been enough to sustain the park. He pointed to the park having to close last year due to the costs associated with operating the county owned park.
Lakemont Park happens to be home to Leap the Dips, the oldest roller coaster in the world. This second year of closure has roller coaster enthusiasts and historians concerned for the beloved ride.
'It would be a tremendous loss to not just the enthusiasts like ourselves, but to history in general. This is how our great, great, great grandparents spent a summer afternoon going to an amusement park. It was a totally different type of sensation and we're lucky that this ride got to survive this long,' said David Hahner, Historian for American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Built in 1902, Leap the Dips is the last coaster of its kind and was declared a national historic landmark in 1999.
Skyliner, which towers over the outfield at Altoona Curve games will also not be in operation.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Huntingdon train ride, the antique car ride and Go–Karts, all of which I'm just kind of puzzled as to why, especially the Go–Karts, as to why they're not operational like any good, family entertainment center.' The park is ultimately owned by Blair County and it's not the first time they've faced such hardships. According to the Blair County Historical Society, the county commissioners accepted ownership of the park from the Altoona & Logan Valley Electric Railway in 1936 after a flood left most of the park damaged and finances were depleted. At the time, there was concern the park would be abandoned, but it reopened the following year after being restored. Today, Lakemont Park is leased to a group known as the Lakemont Partnership who is responsible for operations of the entire property. Blair County Commissioner Dave Kessling said in an email he's worried the Lakemont Partnership is simply leaving the park to fall apart. 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