Enjoying the Ride
Waldameer owner Paul Nelson began working at the park when he was just 11 years old. Now, as the park turns 125, he reflects on the evolution of this Erie, Pennsylvania, gem — and looks forward to a future filled with even more fun.
The first summer Paul Nelson worked at Waldameer was in 1945. He was 11 years old and received $300 for a season spent washing dishes. It wasn’t glamorous, but the promise made by then-park owner Alex Moeller was incentive enough to return, even when he learned his job the following summer would be cleaning bathrooms.
“He told me if you come back year after year I’ll give you the park,” says Nelson, now 87.
The 11-year-old boy who started as a kitchen dishwasher went on to eventually become general manager before taking over ownership of the park when Moeller died in 1965.
By then, Nelson and the Moeller family had grown so close that Alex and his wife, Lydia Ruth, actually adopted Paul as an adult, which is legal in Pennsylvania and many other states, to make the transfer of the park an easier process.
“There isn’t a job here I haven‘t done,“ Nelson says. “I‘ve done it all.“
This summer, Waldameer celebrates its 125th anniversary, making it one of the 10 oldest amusement parks in the nation.
It started as Hoffman‘s picnic grove in the late 1800s, a serene destination overlooking the lake. Erie Electric Co. leased the land in 1896 and renamed it “Waldameer“ — German for “woods by the sea.”
A dance hall, carousel and three roller coasters were added, and other attractions came soon after. Alex Moeller started at the park as general manager and bought the park in 1945.
It was the same year the 11-year-old Nelson — the son of a family friend — came for a visit.
“I came for a week and stayed the whole summer,” Nelson says.
His vision for the park has turned it into one of Erie’s biggest attractions, though Waldameer didn’t start to really take off until the 1980s, when Nelson sold off the park’s original wooden carousel horses.
The sale brought in $1 million and gave Nelson the funds he needed to add Water World.
Growth at the park has continued steadily ever since, with Nelson adding new rides and attractions to the park regularly, including the Sea Dragon in 1992, the 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel in 1994, the Thunder Driver log flume in 1996 and the Steel Dragon spinning coaster in 2004.
The most celebrated ride in the park, the Ravine Flyer II, opened in 2008. The wooden roller coaster carries riders over Peninsula Drive, and connoisseurs consistently rank it among the top 10 roller coasters.
“That roller coaster was another turning point for us in terms of success,” Nelson says.
On a golf cart tour of the 52-acre property Nelson tells how some of the park’s 34 rides and 27 water slides came to be. He also talks about the park’s new $30 million, 10-year expansion plan, pointing to where new rides could go.
“I don’t work for money; I work because I like what I do,” he says.
While the park has changed in incredible ways over the years, Nelson plans for some things to stay the same, including the park’s free parking and free admission policy (visitors pay for rides rather than admission).
He also plans to keep ownership in the family. Several of his family members work at the park, including son-in-law Steve Gorman, who is Waldameer’s president and general manager.
“It’s wonderful to have his knowledge and experience as we move forward,” Gorman says. “His historical knowledge of the park can’t be replaced. He knows not only the history of every ride, but where every pipe is.”
When the park is open it’s not unusual to see Nelson striding about — though you won’t see him on many of the rides these days. In fact, he’s only ridden the celebrated Ravine Flyer II once, right before it opened to the public.
“I like the train and the skyride,” he says with a laugh. “When you get to be my age you’re not riding many coasters.”
And, of course, nobody was prepared for the summer of 2020, which meant a shortened season, a limit to the number of visitors, difficulty hiring and the loss of millions of dollars.
“We will recover,” Nelson says. “But I hope there’s never another year like it.”
The pandemic forced the park to scrap its plans for new rides in 2021, as well as big celebrations meant to mark its 125th anniversary. Despite that, Nelson expects the park to be back on track this summer providing family fun — and he plans to be there for every minute of the ride.
“It’s going to be a great summer,” he says. “We’re ready.”
Six Can’t-Miss Activities at Waldameer
Screaming on the Ravine Flyer II: This unforgettably great roller coaster even crosses a road — though you’re going so fast you might miss it.
Getting Wet at Water World: Waldameer’s water park boasts the largest wave pool in the tri-state area, an amazing pirate ship water feature and 27 slides.
Riding the Ferris Wheel: At 100 feet tall, the Ferris wheel offers a gorgeous view of Lake Erie.
Taking a Picture with Charlie: One of the more popular spots for a picture is with the clown statue named after longtime Waldameer gardener Charlie Cox, who enjoyed sitting on a bench and watching guests enjoy the park.
Going into the Dark: So-called “dark rides” once were amusement park staples but have disappeared over time. Waldameer has two of these classic rides — Pirates Cove and the Wacky Shack. Both were designed by Bill Tracy, hailed as the greatest designer of dark rides.
Enjoying the Fudge: There’s lots of great food at Waldameer, but you can’t miss getting a slice from the Fudge Kitchen. Perfect for an afternoon treat between rides.
“He told me if you come back year after year I’ll give you the park,” says Nelson, now 87.
The 11-year-old boy who started as a kitchen dishwasher went on to eventually become general manager before taking over ownership of the park when Moeller died in 1965.
By then, Nelson and the Moeller family had grown so close that Alex and his wife, Lydia Ruth, actually adopted Paul as an adult, which is legal in Pennsylvania and many other states, to make the transfer of the park an easier process.
“There isn’t a job here I haven‘t done,“ Nelson says. “I‘ve done it all.“
This summer, Waldameer celebrates its 125th anniversary, making it one of the 10 oldest amusement parks in the nation.
It started as Hoffman‘s picnic grove in the late 1800s, a serene destination overlooking the lake. Erie Electric Co. leased the land in 1896 and renamed it “Waldameer“ — German for “woods by the sea.”
A dance hall, carousel and three roller coasters were added, and other attractions came soon after. Alex Moeller started at the park as general manager and bought the park in 1945.
It was the same year the 11-year-old Nelson — the son of a family friend — came for a visit.
“I came for a week and stayed the whole summer,” Nelson says.
His vision for the park has turned it into one of Erie’s biggest attractions, though Waldameer didn’t start to really take off until the 1980s, when Nelson sold off the park’s original wooden carousel horses.
The sale brought in $1 million and gave Nelson the funds he needed to add Water World.
Growth at the park has continued steadily ever since, with Nelson adding new rides and attractions to the park regularly, including the Sea Dragon in 1992, the 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel in 1994, the Thunder Driver log flume in 1996 and the Steel Dragon spinning coaster in 2004.
The most celebrated ride in the park, the Ravine Flyer II, opened in 2008. The wooden roller coaster carries riders over Peninsula Drive, and connoisseurs consistently rank it among the top 10 roller coasters.
“That roller coaster was another turning point for us in terms of success,” Nelson says.
On a golf cart tour of the 52-acre property Nelson tells how some of the park’s 34 rides and 27 water slides came to be. He also talks about the park’s new $30 million, 10-year expansion plan, pointing to where new rides could go.
“I don’t work for money; I work because I like what I do,” he says.
While the park has changed in incredible ways over the years, Nelson plans for some things to stay the same, including the park’s free parking and free admission policy (visitors pay for rides rather than admission).
He also plans to keep ownership in the family. Several of his family members work at the park, including son-in-law Steve Gorman, who is Waldameer’s president and general manager.
“It’s wonderful to have his knowledge and experience as we move forward,” Gorman says. “His historical knowledge of the park can’t be replaced. He knows not only the history of every ride, but where every pipe is.”
When the park is open it’s not unusual to see Nelson striding about — though you won’t see him on many of the rides these days. In fact, he’s only ridden the celebrated Ravine Flyer II once, right before it opened to the public.
“I like the train and the skyride,” he says with a laugh. “When you get to be my age you’re not riding many coasters.”
And, of course, nobody was prepared for the summer of 2020, which meant a shortened season, a limit to the number of visitors, difficulty hiring and the loss of millions of dollars.
“We will recover,” Nelson says. “But I hope there’s never another year like it.”
The pandemic forced the park to scrap its plans for new rides in 2021, as well as big celebrations meant to mark its 125th anniversary. Despite that, Nelson expects the park to be back on track this summer providing family fun — and he plans to be there for every minute of the ride.
“It’s going to be a great summer,” he says. “We’re ready.”
Six Can’t-Miss Activities at Waldameer
Screaming on the Ravine Flyer II: This unforgettably great roller coaster even crosses a road — though you’re going so fast you might miss it.
Getting Wet at Water World: Waldameer’s water park boasts the largest wave pool in the tri-state area, an amazing pirate ship water feature and 27 slides.
Riding the Ferris Wheel: At 100 feet tall, the Ferris wheel offers a gorgeous view of Lake Erie.
Taking a Picture with Charlie: One of the more popular spots for a picture is with the clown statue named after longtime Waldameer gardener Charlie Cox, who enjoyed sitting on a bench and watching guests enjoy the park.
Going into the Dark: So-called “dark rides” once were amusement park staples but have disappeared over time. Waldameer has two of these classic rides — Pirates Cove and the Wacky Shack. Both were designed by Bill Tracy, hailed as the greatest designer of dark rides.
Enjoying the Fudge: There’s lots of great food at Waldameer, but you can’t miss getting a slice from the Fudge Kitchen. Perfect for an afternoon treat between rides.
Story:
Kara Murphy
2021 July/August