Lakemont Park

Lakemont Park is a closed amusement park in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

---

Lakemont Park is a closed amusement park in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It stood as one of the oldest amusement parks in the nation.

History

Lakemont Park opened in 1894 as a trolley park, a recreational area developed by streetcar companies to encourage weekend and holiday ridership. ¹ Initially named “Boyd’s Park” after its founder, it served as a destination for picnics, concerts, and light outdoor activities.

By the early 20th century, the park began to evolve into a full-fledged amusement venue. It adopted the name “Lakemont Park” in 1902 and gradually expanded its attractions to include mechanical rides, games, and a dance pavilion. ² The park’s growth mirrored national trends in leisure and entertainment during the Progressive Era, as urban dwellers increasingly sought respite in outdoor recreational settings.

Perhaps the park’s most enduring legacy stemmed from the addition of the Leap-The-Dips roller coaster in 1902. ^{3 4} Designed by Edward Joy Morris, the ride was a prime example of a side-friction wooden coaster—a style predating under-track wheels. At the time of its construction, it was a marvel of engineering and an emblem of the growing fascination with thrill rides. The coaster operated intermittently over the decades and faced demolition more than once. However, due to the efforts of local preservationists and the National Amusement Park Historical Association, Leap-The-Dips was restored in the 1990s and reopened in 1999. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996, recognized as the world’s oldest surviving roller coaster. ³

Throughout the 20th century, Lakemont Park operated under various ownerships and weathered many challenges confronting regional amusement parks nationwide, including declining attendance, financial hardship, and competition from larger theme parks. ¹ Despite these obstacles, it retained a loyal local following and remained a seasonal fixture in Blair County.

The park experienced significant changes in the 2010s. It closed temporarily in 2017 for renovations and a reimagining of its purpose. When it reopened in 2019, it had transitioned from a traditional amusement park to a family entertainment center focused more on sports, outdoor events, and community gatherings. Many of the larger rides were removed, though Leap-The-Dips remained as a historic centerpiece. ⁵

Its amusement rides were closed starting for the 2024 season, with the park’s management citing declining attendance, escalating maintenance costs, and high insurance premiums as primary reasons for this decision. ^{6 7 8} Notably, the maintenance of the park’s two historic wooden roller coasters, Leap-The-Dips and Skyliner, had become financially unsustainable. Leap-The-Dips, required preservation under the terms of the park’s lease with Blair County, which extends until 2066.

In response to these challenges, Lakemont Park has shifted its focus toward active recreation and community events. While amusement rides remain closed, the park continues to offer facilities such as batting cages, basketball and volleyball courts, mini-golf courses, and picnic pavilions. ^{7 9} Additionally, the park hosts events like music festivals, craft shows, and fundraising walks. The park’s management has also explored potential new uses for the property, including the possibility of developing a campground or an indoor sports complex. However, any significant changes to the park’s operations would require approval from Blair County commissioners and possibly the courts, due to the stipulations of the existing lease agreement.

---

Gallery

---

Sources

1. Heck, Peter J. America’s Oldest Amusement Parks. Stackpole Books, 2002.
2. Mangels, William F. The Outdoor Amusement Industry: From Earliest Times to the Present. William F. Mangels Co., 1952.
3. National Park Service. “Leap-The-Dips.” National Historic Landmarks Program, 1996.
4. “Leap-The-Dips – Lakemont Park.” Roller Coaster DataBase.
5. “Lakemont Park Returns to Family Entertainment Focus.” WTAJ News, 2019.
6. “Lakemont Won’t Operate Rides This Season.” WCBC Radio, 5 Feb. 2024.
7. Kibler, William. “Slim Pickings: Lakemont Park eliminates rides for 2024 season.” Altoona Mirror, 2 Feb. 2024.
8. Shannon, Bill. “Big Changes Coming to Lakemont Park; Closing Rides for 2024.” WTAJ, 2 Feb. 2024.
9. Kibler, William. “Up in the Air – Company, Commissioners Try to Solve Complicated Lakemont Park Situation, Determine Park’s Future.” Altoona Mirror, 2 Mar. 2025.