| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #16 |
Wow, you summed that up beautifully. If it was as good as I remember in the 80's, I can only imagine how nice it was back in the 50's.
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| Nancy | |
| Nancy |
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Reply with quote | #18 |
The 1950's and early 60's were such an idyllic time to be a kid. There was not as many media options as we have today, so families spent more time together for recreation and entertainment. And we always socialized with extended family members, many aunts,uncles and cousins. We had so little money, that going to the park was considered a big deal.
What I also remember is spending hours alone in the lake or at the playground without adult oversight. The adults never worried about our whereabouts, and we felt free to roam around the park without feeling unsafe. Can you imagine allowing a child to be unsupervised in a lake today?
I am 60 yrs old and I still have vivid memories of days and events there. With the loss of both parents it makes me sad to know I can no longer reminisce with them, and some memories are lost forever.
My sisters tried finding the park the day after our mother's funeral. They never did get there. It's in Danielson, isnt it? I believe we took Route 6 from RI; from there I am unsure. I actually live in Wellesley, MA now. Can you give me directions or the road address? Perhaps my husband and I will take a ride some day.
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #19 |
Yeah, you're right about how much things have changed, even since I was a kid. It's too bad. I'm glad I'm not the only one with fond memories of "Connecticut Beach".
If you take the trip, there's not much to see. It's all fenced in. Now is the time to do it though.
If you take Rte. 6, you'll want to head north onto Main St. (12) in Danielson until you hit Killingly Center, then take a left onto Hartford Pike (101), then right onto Upper Maple Road. Wildwood will be on your left. It's on Upper Maple Road in Danielson, CT.
The owners should open it for a day and host a private party for those who used to frequent the park/beach. I'd love to bring my family on a nice summer day.
Mike |
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| Mike and Kelly |
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Reply with quote | #20 |
Its so nice to see so many great memories on the lake. My parents had a cottage there from 1958 to 1980 and I spent every summer there. I was always amazed at the big crowd at Wildwood Park. I always thought it was funny when folks left the park for the day you would see them driving down the road with their bathing suit hanging off the antenna to dry. I now live in FL but visit my father in Danielson. My wife and I have spent the past 5 years searching for a place of our own on the lake. Its tough because the cottages mostly get handed down from generation to generation. We did find a place and bought it last summer. We knew it was old but in the process of fixing it up, we were told that it was the oldest cottage on the lake. Built in 1907. The cottage will celebrate its 100th birthday on the lake in July and this will be the first summer back for me. My wife has fallen in love with it to and we are looking forward to spending our summers there. |
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| Diane |
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Reply with quote | #21 |
It is so great to know that I am not the only person that has great memories of this wonderful place. I grew up on Alexander's lake in the 60's, 70's. I was very young when my parents started taking me there when we moved just up the road in Danielson. I believe just before the park across the street from the miniature golf was a pub my mom use to work. I vividly remember the pavillion with the arcade and snack bar. The walk to the beach with all these amazing toys in the water. I started as a small child starting at the seesaws in the water to over the years swimming out to the diving boards. The last time I was there was in 1979 I went to the skate rink with my brothers. The sad part is I just moved my dad out of Danielson a month ago and I have never made the time to go by, I guess I need to make a trip down there.
Thanks for the memories!
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| sandra |
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Reply with quote | #22 |
looking for someone to talk about wildwood park in conn also known as lake alexander |
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| sandra |
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Reply with quote | #23 |
I REMEMBER WILDWOOD PARK IT WAS GREAT MY MOM DAD SISTER AUNTS UNCLES COUSINS WOULD HEAD THERE EARLY IN THE MORNING AND LEAVE THERE FOR THE DRIVE IN MOVIES THOSE DAYS WERE GREAT SANDY FROM WARWICK |
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| Mike |
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Reply with quote | #24 |
We used to get there really early in the morning and not leave until the sun was setting. That was the best time, sun setting on the water, swimming right up until it was time to go to the car. I used to love the smell of people cooking out at the picnic table area, and walking barefoot through the arcade. Everything about that place was great.
I remember the see-saws and water wheel from when I was really young, but as I got older those things were removed (too dangerous?) but the docks and diving boards remained. I remember the lifeguards would actually row out to their chair in a little boat. Swimming out to those diving boards as a young kid was always a challenge.
The water was always clear and warm. We used to look for (and find!) money under the water and use it at the arcade. So many good memories. I could go on and on.
Anyone else have pictures?
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| Nancy |
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Reply with quote | #25 |
Does anyone remember the pony rides? I think it was to the right of the lake, on the way back to the parking lot. We also went blueberry picking in an area past the roller rink.
I dont remember the roller rink building being on the water. Somehow I picture it on the left as we walked into the park from the parking lot. Was the lake on the left as well?
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| Jen |
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Reply with quote | #26 |
I went there in the late 70's & early 80's and I remember the Wheel, diving board and all the docks in the water. Water was always warm and clear. I think they used to have wooden benches sporadically along the beach? Remember the food, arcade, mini golf across the street, and the long lines to pay to get on the beach. I always had a blast going w/my sister and cousins! Wish it would re-open. I actually have relatives that still have their cottage there. They are there in the summer and move back to FL during the winter. Wish I wasn't so busy during the summer so I could check in on them while they are here. |
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| Julie | |
| Nancy |
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Reply with quote | #28 |
I searched the entire site, thinking there were activities at the lake or park, but found nothing. What has the website go to do with Wildwood Park and this website? |
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| Jeanne |
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Reply with quote | #29 |
Wow, I can't believe I found this site!
My entire family used to go to Wildwood in the summers of the late 60s - 70s. My parents and brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, sometimes relatives on in-law sides. It was great! Family seemed much more important back than, unfortunately. My uncle and I would celebrate our birthdays there together every July.
Seeing it was always the Italian side of the family, we didn't do the hot dog/hamburger thing. We had meatball and sausage sandwiches. My mother and all of my aunts would make batches of stuff and we would have a pot luck but always meatballs and sausages. It was great!
I tried to take my kids there in the late 80s, early 90s and it was closed. It was very depressing.
All the great memories. Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought so!
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| karon locklear |
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Reply with quote | #30 |
I remember this place it was the best when I was a kid it had a white wheel like one in a gerbel cage and a slide and a square dock the water was so clear. The best part was that it was the only place I have ever found in my 39 years that sold clam cakes. |
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