| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I live in Massachusetts, and when I was a kid (1980s), our family would travel to the most wonderful fresh-water beach in Conncecticut. Of course, us kids only knew it as "Connecticut Beach," but I believe the real name was Wildwood. Anyway, there was a park, a cookout area, an arcade, and a roller skating rink. In the water at the beach were diving boards you could swim out to, among other things. There was also a mini golf course across the street. I want to say the beach was in Killingly, or surrounding area.
Does anyone have any information about this? Pictures? I've tried searching online, but nothing comes up. I believe the beach is closed now, but I'd like to drive out and find it someday. It really was a nice beach and now I'd like to take my kids there.
Thank you in advance,
Mike
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #2 |
It's actually on Lake Alexander, or Alexander's Lake. I'd really like to see some old pictures of it if anyone has any.
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| Dave |
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Reply with quote | #3 |
Hi I live about 15 minutes from there. I believe it's private now and fenced in but looks the same to me as old pictures I've seen. Right now there's at least one postcard on ebay showing a boat dock there. I'd actually love to get in there and snorkle with my metal detector to try & find old coins etc. but you probably have to know someone who lives in one of the cottages to get permission I imagine. Let me know if you find out anything else about it. I could always drive by and take a couple of digital pictures of it and email them to you if you'd like...let me know. -Dave |
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| Bev |
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Reply with quote | #4 |
Hi,,,,when I was a kid in the 60's all of my family went every Sunday to Wildwood Park.....We would skate, swim, cook and just have a ball....I miss that so very much....I know that we too Rt 6 to Rt 101 on into Ct and a few miles in we turned right......What a great place to spend summer....Lots of wonderful memories.......Bev PerkinsFlorida |
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #5 |
Thanks for responding, everyone. I knew I wasn't the only one who remembered this place fondly. I recently took a drive to Connecticut and found it! It's fenced off, unfortunately. My grandparents (the ones who actually discovered the beach) were told that it was closed because the insurance to keep it open was too expensive. It's a real shame, because some of my fondest memories are from summer days spent at Wildwood. I'd love to be able to take my kids there now.
Anyway, I snapped a few photos, if anyone is interested:
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| Bev Perkins |
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Reply with quote | #6 |
Thanks Mike for taking those photos,,,,,,,it still is so beautiful......Did you see is the skate rink is still there.??????....The water still looks so clear......I just loved that place ......thanks again, BEV Perkins, Florida |
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Yes, the rink is still there. I wish I could've gone inside, but it's all fenced off with barbed wire and such. It's a shame. I was able to walk around and go down to the water elsewhere, and the water is still crystal clear like I remembered.
I'd love to be able to take my kids there now.
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| rose |
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Reply with quote | #8 |
I was just online trying to find information about Wildwood.I also went very often as a child in the 70's.What I loved the most was the water wheel.I wanted to bring my kids too. |
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #9 |
They had the water wheel when I was a kid, but I was too young to go on it. They eventually removed it from the water, along with the see-saws on the shore. There used to be so many fun things to do at Wildwood. I wish there were more information about it online somewhere.
Going to Wildwood was one of the highlights of my youth...scratch that...one of the highlights of my life. I can't say enough good things about it.
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Here are some more pictures of Wildwood Park in Connecticut.
Keep in mind that these pictures were taken in the winter. This place really comes alive in the summer. I'll have to go back for more pictures.
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| Mike | |
| Robert |
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Reply with quote | #12 |
Hey all , If anyone out there has any more pics of lake Alexander ,I would love to have them . My family is the owners of this great property and i'm helping one of my aunts build a nice collage of items from the past and and present . These relatives are going threw alot of issues just to keep this a warm friendly community . It would be nice to open it back up the public , but many things keep this from happening . Its very sad to see this area go unused and to read some great stories of how wonderful it was as a park . Again , thank you for any responses to this Any feedback is welcome .. Robert Ripcord383@yahoo |
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| Jen Devillez |
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Reply with quote | #13 |
Back in the 80's, myself, sister and 2 cousins were brought to Alexander's Lake all summer. Always had a blast, water was great, french fries, and mini golf!!! I had moved back to CT in the early 90's, and had decided to see if it was still open, and found that it was closed. That is really too bad. Also, I was looking for some pictures on the internet, but only found old pictures. I have great memories of this place, and I believe my aunt may have some pictures. I will have to see if I can post some. Jen. |
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| Mike | |
| Nancy |
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Reply with quote | #15 |
I am so excited to discover this website. It is especially wonderful because my mother, age 90, died last week and we were reminiscing about our childhood.
My family spent so many wonderful Sundays at Wildwood Park in the 1950s. I can still remember the ritual: early Mass, dad getting a big block of ice which he chopped with an icepick in the red, metal Coca Cola cooler, loading the car, and the seemingly long trek, often in caravan with other extended family, from Pawtucket RI on secondary roads to the park. The adults sat around the campsite cooking burgers and drinking beer. For the kids the day was filled with swimming in the lake that had a water wheel, rafts and slides. There was the playground, an indoor roller skating rink, pony rides, blueberry picking and the canteen with a jute box that played '50s rock and roll music. At the end of the day, with the sun slowly setting, we would pack up and climb back into the car for the ride home.
Thanks for the memories.
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