Mike, the park was located near Mechanicsburg, PA. The park and Radar are long gone. The picture of the defunct park was taken in the early 90’s. I believe it is a community recreational park now. Directions: From Rt. 81 North or South: get off at the Mechanicsburg exit. Take Route 114 East (from the south, turn right, from the north, turn left). Turn right onto Willow Mill Road. At the stop sign, turn right. Park entrance is on the right.
I saw the RADAR ride at a fireman’s fair in Carlisle, PA about ten years ago. I grew up near Willow Mill Park and knew instantly that was the same ride. You could tell RADAR was not a mass produced ride, instead it was specifically built for Willow Mill Park in the the late 1970’s. Safety was always a concern of mine on that ride because if you look closely, only one arm holds on to the seat where two riders would sit. It appeared at the time to only be connected with a welding.
the RADAR was NOT specifically built fot willow mill park. the first radar was built back in the EARLY 70s and called the raven that is for sale right now online. chance mfg. made quite a few of these and most were converted to turbos, however some owners kept the radar theme.
the seats were well attached, as are most rides, are safer then some think.
the willow mill radar was bought new and was originally installed with several other chance rides at International Village in Gettysburg back in about 1970. Thee gettysburg park never survived & is now the Eisenhour hotel & conference center & will possibly be a casino before long. Willow mill bought it from international village & id bet the ride was only 2 years old when it was installed. Fun to ride, but NO CONTEST to a TURBO which Trimpers rides had in maryland, also i remember STRATES SHOWS bringing a turbo to the york pa fair.
Does anyone remember or has anyone heard about a Little 5 year old boy being hit by an Amusement ride..It was a train that drove through the Park..It happened in 1976 or 1977..I am wondering if the little boy died and if thats why the Park closed up.
I remember this park well. While growing up we would go between Willow Mill Park and Williams Grove Park. It’s a shame that both parks are now close. We as adults enjoyed going to them as kids but forgot when we became adults to take our children to these parks so they went broke. We thought bigger was better so we took them to Hershey Park. I hope we wakeup soon and start taking our children to small parks like Dutch Wonderland and Knobles Park before we lose them to the big mega parks like Hershey Park.
I rember going to this park every year, I kived in westfairview pa. and we would have a “town picknic” every year, where the whole town would go. I rember bridie steward “not sure on her name” would sell the tickets. I can only rember parts of the last day the park was open. “so i was told by a worker” the train was my favorite ride and the last ride of the day the gentalman that ran the train. he left me sit and drive it “while being watched” but it was the best day of my young life at the time I had to of been maby 9 or 10. I am 32 now. it is a sad sad shame the park did close. I still wish all the old parks were still up and running. they are the best to spend bonding time with family’s, insted of blowing tons of $..
I remember Big Ron and Little Ron ..the owners and Archie the old guy who ran the arcade…..all the small parks of our day are now defunct ..SAD
I also remember Bonni and Gina from the pony rides :)
Where is this located at??? i would love to drive and see it for myself.
Michael Barber - July 14th, 2009 at 5:38 pm e
Mike, the park was located near Mechanicsburg, PA. The park and Radar are long gone. The picture of the defunct park was taken in the early 90’s. I believe it is a community recreational park now. Directions: From Rt. 81 North or South: get off at the Mechanicsburg exit. Take Route 114 East (from the south, turn right, from the north, turn left). Turn right onto Willow Mill Road. At the stop sign, turn right. Park entrance is on the right.
Mark Hackett - July 24th, 2009 at 4:50 am e
I saw the RADAR ride at a fireman’s fair in Carlisle, PA about ten years ago. I grew up near Willow Mill Park and knew instantly that was the same ride. You could tell RADAR was not a mass produced ride, instead it was specifically built for Willow Mill Park in the the late 1970’s. Safety was always a concern of mine on that ride because if you look closely, only one arm holds on to the seat where two riders would sit. It appeared at the time to only be connected with a welding.
Gus - October 8th, 2009 at 12:54 am e
the RADAR was NOT specifically built fot willow mill park. the first radar was built back in the EARLY 70s and called the raven that is for sale right now online. chance mfg. made quite a few of these and most were converted to turbos, however some owners kept the radar theme. the seats were well attached, as are most rides, are safer then some think.
Dave - February 9th, 2010 at 5:52 pm e
the willow mill radar was bought new and was originally installed with several other chance rides at International Village in Gettysburg back in about 1970. Thee gettysburg park never survived & is now the Eisenhour hotel & conference center & will possibly be a casino before long. Willow mill bought it from international village & id bet the ride was only 2 years old when it was installed. Fun to ride, but NO CONTEST to a TURBO which Trimpers rides had in maryland, also i remember STRATES SHOWS bringing a turbo to the york pa fair.
carl - May 22nd, 2010 at 9:16 am e
does the park still exist or have all the old buildings been torn down?
bill smith - July 22nd, 2010 at 4:34 am e
Does anyone remember or has anyone heard about a Little 5 year old boy being hit by an Amusement ride..It was a train that drove through the Park..It happened in 1976 or 1977..I am wondering if the little boy died and if thats why the Park closed up.
Judy Green - July 22nd, 2010 at 11:36 am e
the park was open well into the late 80’s for sure. maybe even into the early 90’s. I grew up in mechanicsburg and went there with some classmates.
Zak Forsman - February 4th, 2011 at 1:12 pm e
I remember this park well. While growing up we would go between Willow Mill Park and Williams Grove Park. It’s a shame that both parks are now close. We as adults enjoyed going to them as kids but forgot when we became adults to take our children to these parks so they went broke. We thought bigger was better so we took them to Hershey Park. I hope we wakeup soon and start taking our children to small parks like Dutch Wonderland and Knobles Park before we lose them to the big mega parks like Hershey Park.
Rodney - March 27th, 2011 at 6:32 am e
The Royal American Shows had a portable Radar. Of course it’s hard to think of anything that The Royal American Shows didn’t have.
M Time - June 10th, 2011 at 10:47 am e
I rember going to this park every year, I kived in westfairview pa. and we would have a “town picknic” every year, where the whole town would go. I rember bridie steward “not sure on her name” would sell the tickets. I can only rember parts of the last day the park was open. “so i was told by a worker” the train was my favorite ride and the last ride of the day the gentalman that ran the train. he left me sit and drive it “while being watched” but it was the best day of my young life at the time I had to of been maby 9 or 10. I am 32 now. it is a sad sad shame the park did close. I still wish all the old parks were still up and running. they are the best to spend bonding time with family’s, insted of blowing tons of $..
mark l - August 31st, 2011 at 12:29 pm e
I loved this park. Could someone please tell me what date the park closed on??? Thanks for your help.
Dianne - November 11th, 2011 at 1:42 am e
I remember Big Ron and Little Ron ..the owners and Archie the old guy who ran the arcade…..all the small parks of our day are now defunct ..SAD I also remember Bonni and Gina from the pony rides :)
Tammy - February 5th, 2012 at 10:26 am e