Palisades Amusement Park

[Figment22]

I also remember going to Uncle Miltie's Amusement Park - anyone else go there? As I remember it, it was scaled down and more little child friendly. Funny, I can remember like it was yesterday getting on those little boats that went round and round in that blue paint peeling cement pool of groody water, and ringing the bell on the boat. LOL

I do remember Uncle Miltie's in Bayonne. Honestly, I don't remember much about what rides were in the park but I do remember one specific visit. I was about 7 or 8 and I was there with my mom and dad and my aunt and uncle. They had lots of games of chance at Uncle Miltie's; you know pick a number, spin the wheel, win a prize. On this particular night, I couldn't lose. My aunt and uncle kept feeding me quarters and I kept playing. I remember winning an electric blanket, an electric can opener, something for my dad's car, a bunch of toys, etc. I must have won about 15 different items and they weren't just stuffed animals like you see today at these types of games. Believe it or not, someone from management came up to my parents and asked them to please take me home! Needless to say, we never went back to Uncle Miltie's--we stuck with Palisades Amusement Park!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

i don't remember going, but i have pictures of us there. I was 11 when it closed.

The song is imbreeded in mind because they use to play it all the time on WABC (radio) in the 60's.

Was it that park that had a big fire or another one?

I went to Rockaway Playland in Queens more, not as big as Palisades.

 

[amy4bruce]

Ah, yes, Rockaway Playland. And Kiddie City. And the one that was on Queens Blvd, where Queens Center is now. I don't remember the name, but I remember the small ferris wheel, with enclosed cars that would rock if the rocking switches weren't rusted.

New York in the '50's and '60's. (Not to mention the World's Fair and Freedomland, which I actually went to twice.)

 

[sue1013]

I remember only 3 things from the world's fair. Small World, Carousel of Progress and the Sinclair Dinosaur. I can picture the Sinclair Dinosaur but didn't remember the other two until I went to WDW the 1st time. Told my mother I thought they were familiar. She reminded me about the world's fair then it clicked.

 

[Figment22]

Was it that park that had a big fire or another one?

After Palisades Amusement Park closed in '71, many of the rides were sold off to other parks. Sometime after that, vandals did start a fire at the park site. We have photos of that in my HS yearbook too.

I thought you all might enjoy this website:

http://www.palisadespark.com/index.htm

 

[beattyfamily]

My parents were born and raised in New Jersey (Jersey City) and my mother's parents lived in the town of Palisades Park so whenever we'd visit from CT, we'd drive right by it. Everyone in my family had been but me since I was the youngest. I always longed to go there and then we moved far away and I had to find out that it was closed down and that I'd never get to go. I was SO sad. I was almost 6 when it closed.

I have a big poster of Palisades Park that my sister gave me but I have figured out where to put it yet.

Both my grandparents have since died and we sold their house and now Palisades Park is all Koreans; no more Italians.

 

[Robinrs]

Boy do I remember Palisades Amusement Park, Rockaway Playland AND Freedomland... does anyone remember THAT?

I was a roller coaster and ride fiend even then and STILL am! My Dad was such a hero when he made the decision to take us to those places, I will never forget how much FUN I had!!

Oh, I MISS my Daddy!! He was so much fun. Hey, I just realized I do the same thing with my kid!!!

 

[amy4bruce]

For those of you who don't remember, Freedomland was supposed to be the East Coast's answer to Disneyland. It was put up in the Bronx around 1961 (it was the summer between 6th and 7th grade, but I refuse to do the math.) I went twice - once before the summer began and once at the end of the summer. The first time was great - it was bustling and it was terrific for a 10 year old. At the end of the summer, most of it was closed and shuttered. The season wasn't over, but it had already failed. (Okay, my memories aren't perfect. It was a long time ago. If anyone disagrees, you're probably right.)

Anyway, I've been there since - it's now Co-op City. Just not the same t hing.