HowieP

1979 brought a brand-new coaster and the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan to Dunn Forest. Robert Dunn announced at the end of the 1978 season the addition of SuperLoop, an Anton Schwarzkopf shuttle coaster. While this isn't the first of this kind of coaster, it does have the new flywheel-style launch as opposed to the earlier weight-drop launch models from 1977 and early 1978. The coaster launches you out of the station through a vertical loop and up the front spike. Then you descend backwards back through the loop and through the station up the back spike before returning to the station. Guests seem to love this coaster and it has become the most popular coaster in the park, even outdoing the nearby Corkscrew. SuperLoop is located across from the aforementioned Corkscrew next to Firecracker in the Americana Plaza area of Dunn Forest. As the park enters the 1980s, let's take a look at the 1979 season. New for 1979, it's SuperLoop, a Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop coaster. Located in the Americana Plaza area, it goes behind the gift shop and restaurant by the main entrance, giving a nice visual as you enter Dunn Forest. Here's the back spike of SuperLoop... ...and the vertical loop and front spike. Meanwhile, the Comet has had more steady riders. Here's the nearly full dark blue train descending the first drop. Last year's addition, Squeeky Cycles has been pretty popular and reliable. People are already lining up to ride SuperLoop! Firecracker is still the most popular flat ride in the park. Now it has another neighbor in SuperLoop. The Dunn Express Railway is also still very popular with riders heading from the Comet to the Americana Plaza, especially with SuperLoop now open. The Dunn Skyway also still has great ridership. Another look at Dunn Forest's new hit ride, SuperLoop. With SuperLoop now a unquestionable hit, travelers are now seeking out Dunn Forest as a stop on family vacations.

I'm sure the rides will be dispersed throughout the chain, but the coasters I am truly interested in what will happen to them. Here's what I think: Superman: With it being the tallest and largest in the park, realistically, I don't know if it will be saved due to its size. It's possible, but I don't think it will happen. But if, by chance, it does, here are the parks it could go to. Michigan's Adventure (some bias here due to it being my home park), Kings Dominion (giving them a hyper finally that is different from Apollo's Chariot at nearby Busch Gardens Williamsburg), and MAYBE Six Flags St. Louis. The Joker's Jinx: Sadly I see this being used for spare parts on Poltergeist at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and both Flight of Fear coasters. Professor Screamore's SkyWinder: Since this got a refurb recently, this could go to any park in the chain that doesn't have a B&M or Vekoma SLC or similar. My choice would probably be Valleyfair giving them a second coaster with inversions that they desperately need. Ragin' Cajun: I actually rode this when it was at Six Flags Great America. This is one that could easily be saved. It could honestly go to any of the parks, but I think it could either return to Great America or go to Six Flags Great Escape, or even be sold to a traveling fair or another park outside of the Six Flags chain. Firebird: I also rode this when it was Iron Wolf at Great America. This may be done, but IF it were to move, I see Michigan's Adventure getting it, though I think Patriot at CGA is a much-better choice IMHO. Batwing: It's done. Last Vekoma Flying Dutchman. Yeah, this one is definitely getting scrapped and riding into the history books. Great Chase: Of all the Six Flags America coaster, this one has the greatest chance of getting relocated due to its small size. And I have a few choices for this one. One, it could go over to Cedar Point in the Planet Snoopy area giving that area a coaster finally. It could also go to Six Flags St. Louis for the Bugs Bunny National Park area and keep the same name. And now the two wooden coasters. Roar: Honestly, I'd be surprised if this coaster is saved. IF by chance it does get saved, there's only two places I believe it should go. Cedar Point or Carowinds. Here me out. If this were to happen, they would have to have GCI completely re-track it and add some Millennium Flyers on it. This would give Cedar Point or Carowinds a modern wooden coaster everyone was wanting. The Wild One: Again, like Roar, I would be surprised if it was saved. Yeah it had moved once before and it is the oldest operating coaster right now, but is anyone in this day and age willing to move a coaster over 100 years old? It isn't impossible, but still, I don't have high hopes for this classic coaster, not like Roar. Those are my thoughts.

As 1978 rolls in, Dunn Forest announces a new attraction for the park called Squeeky Cycles (In-Game). This ride is self-powered as guests pedal along a track without any other mechanics other than manpower. Also, Robert Dunn announced they are closer to getting their next coaster, and it will be the only one of its kind in Michigan. Rumor has it that another Michigan park somewhere near Muskegon is getting the same Arrow Corkscrew model that Dunn has for their park, but Robert Dunn isn't worried about that, as his is showing the best growth, thus far, and is already looking towards the future. For now, let's see the 1978 season. New for 1978 is Squeeky Cycles (In-Game). You yourself power the ride by pedaling along the track. It had been a struggle, but The Comet is finally showing some good ridership. Last year's addition, the Dunn Express Railway is still going strong, as well. As the Bicentennial celebration is done, as of this year the Bicentennial Plaza will now be known as the Americana Plaza. People don't mind the name change, as long as the rides remain the same. Firecracker remains a popular thrill ride, being one of the rides with the longest wait time. Corkscrew also is very popular among coaster enthusiasts. Rumor has it that a park in Muskegon is also going to add an Arrow Corkscrew. Robert Dunn isn't worried about this as this park is far enough away for it to be any kind of competition. The Dunn Skyway is still a popular ride, as well, giving great views of the park from the front. One last look at this year's addition, Squeeky Cycles. Dunn Forest continues to grow, and people cannot wait for the third coaster coming to the park!

1977 rolled in pretty quick and another transportation ride joins the Dunn Skyway at Dunn Forest. The ride is Dunn Express Railway, which consists of individual trams going back and forth on a track between Bicentennial Plaza and The Comet roller coaster on the original midway. The trams cart more people around so now you can either use that or the original "one-side-to-another" attraction the Dunn Skyway. Plus there's already teasing for the next attraction for 78. But for now, let's see what 1977 has in store for us! New for 1977 is the Dunn Express Railway with individual trams. It connects from Bicentennial Plaza to the main midway by The Comet. Here's the Bicentennial Plaza station. And the station by The Comet. I'll get back to Comet in a moment. The entire layout of Dunn Express Railway. It practically spans the entire park! Back over in Bicentennial Plaza, one of the previous year's addition Firecracker has become a very popular ride. The new Dunn Express Railway is right next to it. Corkscrew is still going strong. As being the only coaster with inversions in the entire state of Michigan, people are glad to have a modern looping coaster at Dunn Forest. Over at Comet, ridership is starting to increase some. Robert Dunn still believes in it having a place at the park. Over near Old Timers, a new ride is already being teased. Park execs are being tight-lipped about the new ride coming, but it will be the only of its kind in Michigan. One more look at Dunn Express Railway. Dunn Express Railway has changed the way folks get around Dunn Forest and they wait with anticipation for 1978s edition to the park.

1976 has rolled around, and to celebrate the Bicentennial, not one but TWO new attractions were added to the Bicentennial Plaza area of Dunn Forest. The first is Firecracker, a HUSS Enterprise ride, and the second is Garden Golf (in-game attraction). Expansion of that area has continued on. The continued growth of Dunn Forest is making folks know that this park is here to stay. Plus, Robert Dunn is talking with the famed coaster designer Anton Schwarzkopf about a new compact coaster design that is in the works. Mr. Dunn isn't sure when he will get this new design and wants to wait until all the kinks are worked out before purchasing it. But for now, let's look into the 1976 season. One of two new attractions for 1976, Firecracker, a thrilling spinning ride. Also new for '76, Garden Golf (in-game). Last year's addition, Corkscrew, is going strong and is very popular with riders. Meanwhile, The Comet is still spotty with riders, but is starting to attract some ridership. The main midway is still pretty busy. The park's original spin machine, Psylo, an opening day attraction, is very popular with riders, so Firecracker will have some good ridership, for sure. The Dunn Skyway is still going strong, as well. Rumor has it that they will be building some sort of railway between Comet and Bicentennial Plaza for next year. Another look at Firecracker, already gaining ridership. And another look at Garden Golf, already a hit with guests. Whatever the future holds for Dunn Forest, it looks bright!

At last! The 1975 season has arrived and it's a big one for Dunn Forest as their long-awaited second coaster has finally arrived. Here's the announcement from Robert Dunn himself: "For a couple of years now, the folks over at Arrow Development had been developing the first modern coaster to spin people upside down. Now this hasn't been attempted since the early 1900s when coasters were still fairly new. The first recipients of this new coaster were the kind people at Knott's Berry Farm in California. Arrow calls this new coaster the Corkscrew coaster. It has two corkscrew loops that spin you upside down. Now Knott's has the prototype at their park, but I am happy to say that Dunn Forest is also one of the first parks to receive this new coaster and it will debut in a new section of the park we are calling Bicentennial Plaza, because of the 200th birthday of America happening next year. So, it is my privilege to introduce Dunn Forest Amusement Park's newest coaster, the Corkscrew! In addition to that, we also opened a new restaurant serving pizza and sub sandwiches." The Corkscrew is a steel coaster from Arrow Development that is a copy of the coaster from Knott's Berry Farm of the same name. This is one of the first modern coasters to spin people upside down. It has two trains and a patriotic paint scheme of red, white, and blue to coincide with the creation of the new themed section of the park, Bicentennial Plaza, and the first expansion of Dunn Forest since its opening four years ago. Let's look at the new ride and new section of Dunn Forest. New for 1975 is the Corkscrew roller coaster. It's the first ride added to the new Bicentennial Plaza section of Dunn Forest, which is left of the main entrance. The two inversions, which is the coaster's namesake! Also in the new section of the park is a new food place, Pizza 'N Subs, serving pizza and submarine sandwiches. The carousel is one of the most popular rides in the park. The Comet has increased in ridership, thankfully due in part to people flocking over to Corkscrew. Both coasters feed off each other well. The dark blue train flying through the airtime-filled hills of the Comet. This area is still primed for more rides to be added. Robert Dunn had not forgotten about that part of the park, but will, for now, turn his attention to the newest section of Dunn Forest, Bicentennial Plaza and adding rides in that section of the park. The entry to the new themed area of the park, Bicentennial Plaza. Another look at Dunn Forest's newest coaster, Corkscrew. With the addition of Corkscrew, Dunn Forest is growing quickly and any doubts about the park are decreasing. People cannot wait to see what they have in store next year!

1974 has arrived and Dunn Forest received a new ride. Robert Dunn had built an in-house attraction called Haunted Mansion (in-game ride). As the new ride was opening, Dunn also announced that 1975 will be the year Dunn Forest will receive their next coaster. He doesn't reveal what it is, but promises it will be the first of its kind in the state of Michigan. For right now, let's look into the 1974 season. Haunted Mansion (in-house game) is the new ride for 1974. Every guest was happy with this ride. Last year's addition, Old Timers, is a popular ride, as well. With the announcement of a new coaster coming to Dunn Forest, rumor has it it will be near the main entrance. The turnaround of The Comet. With the new coaster coming, it will finally have some company within the park. There's still some room for more rides to come at Dunn Forest. There's also plans to plant more trees within the park, as well. Another look at the Haunted Mansion. People are anticipating the new coaster coming to Dunn Forest. And the Haunted Mansion was a success.

1973 has rolled around. And Dunn Forest's third year had begun with a new ride from Arrow Development. Old Timers (In-Game Ride) is the latest addition to the park and part of a new relationship between the park and Arrow. Rumor has it that the company is developing the first modern roller coaster to go upside down, and Mr. Dunn wants his park to be one of the first parks to get this new ground-breaking coaster once it's ready. But for now, let's look at the 1973 season of Dunn Forest. New for '73 is Old Timers (In-Game Ride). It sits right next to last year's addition, the Tilt-A-Whirl. The Comet is still struggling to get riders on it, but rumor has it that Robert Dunn, the park owner, will be getting another coaster down the road and it will be a new thrilling ride. The carousel, however, is very popular! The light blue train on the Comet going up the lift hill. Despite spotty ridership, it has its fans. Another popular ride is the Dunn Skyway. Surveyors were looking at what could be added here next. Rumor has it Robert Dunn is looking into a dark ride for next year. Entryway to the Comet up close. Another look at Old Timers. Folks are already speculating on what the future for Dunn Forest will hold.

1972 has rolled around and Robert Dunn has added a new ride to Dunn Forest. It is a Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl, which is really popular on the fair circuit. Rumor has it that Arrow Development is working on a new coaster design that will revolutionize the amusement park industry. Robert wants to be one of the first to get in on this new design, but for now, he will be adding some smaller rides, though he is in talks with Arrow to build the 1973 attraction building up a good relationship with them. Let's look into the 1972 season of Dunn Forest. New for 1972, the Tilt-A-Whirl. It's right across from Swinger and next to the bumper cars. The Comet is slowly building up ridership. Many wonder if Robert Dunn will add another coaster down the road. The Dunn Skyway helps transport people from the midway to the coaster and is one of the park's most popular rides. Here we are at the park's entrance. There are talks about some expansion happening here in a few years. The entry to The Comet wooden roller coaster. Another look at the Tilt-A-Whirl, the newest addition to Dunn Forest. With the addition of Tilt-A-Whirl, guests' concerns about the size of the park are being relaxed as Robert Dunn promises more expansion to his park down the road. And here is Dunn Forest itself along with Keenshaw Lake, the one part of the forest retaining the original Keenshaw name, paying tribute to its past as Keenshaw Forest Preserve.

In 1965, Michigan's department of agriculture approved a forest preserve named Keenshaw Forest Preserve near Gaylord, Michigan to be converted into an amusement park. What brought this on was the fact that the forest was previously having a ton of its trees being cut and people wanting to save what was left of the forest. So a man named Robert Dunn decided to purchase the clearing where the trees once stood to build an amusement park. In agreement with the D.A., he would not cut down the remainder of the forest's trees and would plant more trees within the park to restore some of the forest aesthetic. Also, there would be two height restrictions in place to keep the forest aesthetic intact. There would be a soft restriction of 100 ft. and anything higher than that would need the approval of Ostego County, and the hard restriction would be 150 ft. and could not be any higher than that. Keenshaw Forest would be renamed Dunn Forest, and the park would carry the name Dunn Forest Amusement Park. While the park itself would be fenced off, the rest of the forest would be preserved to its natural beauty. In 1969, construction of the park commenced and a few rides and a restaurant and gift shop would open on the property. The park would also have a star attraction in the John Allen-designed wooden roller coaster, the Comet, by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The park would open its doors in 1971. The inaugural logo for Dunn Forest. A look at the park layout. There is a lot of room for future expansion, provided no trees are removed from Dunn Forest. Part of the forest is visible on the top of this picture. The main entry plaza with the gift shop and restaurant. Plus the carousel right at the entry. Here are some of the other rides in the park, thus far. We have the Ferris Wheel that goes over the midway, plus a Round Up ride called Psylo, a Scrambler, Swing Ride, bumper cars, and the Dunn Skyway Chairlift that takes you over to the main attraction if you don't want to walk over there... ...which is The Comet, a PTC, John Allen-designed out-and-back wooden roller coaster. It stands at 90 feet tall with an 85 foot drop. One of Comet's trains flying over an airtime hill before going back to the station. The Skyway saves people from having to walk towards the Comet if they don't want to walk there with nothing between the other rides and the coaster. Plans are already underway to add more rides in this area soon. Also, as part of the growing of the park, in agreement with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Dunn Forest will replenish trees within the park, and they had already started doing so around the chairlift. These trees can never be removed ever, unless one of them dies. The trees don't have to be planted immediately, but as areas of the park get more rides in it. What will Dunn Forest build next for the 1972 season? Wait and see!

Steel Vengeance from last year.

Very nice park! Keep up the good work!

I was going to say probably not, but it appears it’s actually open again! Was there yesterday. It wasn't open.

Decided to do a day trip to Cedar Point. Sorry if the photos seem scarce in this report, but I really didn't stay too long there, maybe from 9:30 to 5 in the evening. But on the bright side: I finally got around to experience an RMC! I did ride other coasters that I didn't take pictures of this go around. The coaster I rode that I didn't photograph: Cedar Creek Mine Ride (Celebrating 50 years), Magnum XL-200 (Celebrating 30 years), Blue Streak, Rougarou. I didn't ride Millennium, Iron Dragon, Top Thrill, Maverick, Wicked Twister, Valravn, or any kiddie rides. In the case of Millennium, Iron Dragon, Maverick, and Top Thrill, it had to do with wait times. Twister I didn't do because I know what to expect with it. The kiddie coasters for obvious reasons. And Valravn, which I wanted to ride because of all the B&Ms out there, the only one, besides Giga, that I have yet to experience is Dive Coasters, was closed because of an accident that you may or may not know about involving one car crashing into another after the brakes failed to work. No, I am not dancing like an idiot. I'm here to ride coasters, thankyouverymuch! Finally popped my RMC cherry with the wildest and craziest RMC out there! It definitely lived up to the hype. It replaces Maverick as my favorite steel coaster. What's Mean Streak? All I see is Steel Vengeance. Gave Gemini some love as well. Money Shot 2019! I also did the Keeper of the Gate! I still like this one! Rapturous Raptor! A train waiting to go back in the station. This is still one of my favorite B&M inverts. Plus I got to ride with a cute girl. Had plenty of fun at Cedar Point as always.

THANK GOODNESS!!! Gwazi is FINALLY getting the RMC tracking!

2006 has rolled around, and new for the year is Junior Dipper, a kid-sized wooden coaster for Kidway Midway. The Reed brothers also announced in the future a shopping/dining area to be built. But for right now let's look in on the 2006 season at Timberwood. SCR21.BMP New for 2006, Junior Dipper kiddie wooden coaster. SCR22.BMP Going down the first drop. SCR23.BMP Kidway's original coaster, Ladybug, is still popular. SCR24.BMP The original wooden coaster, Patriot, still has steady ridership. SCR25.BMP The other wooden coaster, Coyote, is also still popular. SCR26.BMP Flip'd Out is still going strong. SCR27.BMP Action Plaza is bustling. SCR28.BMP Over near Black Cobra is where workers are surveying for the upcoming Marketplace area. SCR29.BMP Another look at Junior Dipper. SCR30.BMP 2006 proved to be another productive year for Timberwood Park.

Has anybody else noticed that Google has listed Kings Island as "Permanently Closed"? I submitted multiple corrections that it wasn't the case, but for some reason it still shows up on Google as "Permanently Closed" when it isn't the case. Was just curious about if anyone else had noticed that. And nothing's changed since. I wonder if it had anything to do with the closing of Firehawk and someone erroneously marked it for the entire park rather than the ride itself. The proof.

2005 saw the removal of Dungeon and Jungle Racers. That plot of land is rumored to be a part of an expansion of Kidway Midway. But that would have to wait at least one more year. 2005 wasn't all losses, though, as they added a Chance Morgan ride, Chaos. Let's look in on the 2005 season at Timberwood Park. SCR12.BMP The empty plot of land where Dungeon and Jungle Racers once stood. SCR13.BMP New for 2005 is Chaos. SCR14.BMP Last year's addition, Flip'd Out is a hit with guests. SCR15.BMP Also still a hit is Michigan Whirl. SCR16.BMP Coyote is as popular as ever. SCR17.BMP The Raven going through its second inversion. SCR18.BMP Old Timers, the last remaining car ride since the removal of Jungle Racers. It along with Racers opened with the park way back in 1976. SCR19.BMP Another look at that empty plot of land. SCR20.BMP Folks wait patiently to see what the Reed Brothers will add to that spot.

2004 has arrived and the Reed Brothers announced at the end of last year a replacement for PowerLoop was coming. And folks got it in the form of Flip'd Out, a Vekoma Boomerang model. Although it's a common roller coaster model, folks loved the new addition. But PowerLoop would not be the only leaving ride. Ben Reed, Jr. also announced that at the end of the 2004 season, the dark ride Dungeon (opened since 1980) and Jungle Racers (opened with the park in 1976) would close. So get your last ride in on these rides before they're gone forever. SCR1.BMP Timberwood received its newest coaster Flip'd Out for 2004. SCR2.BMP Folks are lining up for the newest ride. Guests agree that Flip'd Out is a worthy replacement for PowerLoop. SCR3.BMP Patriot has picked up in ridership again. SCR5.BMP This area of the park has grown in recent years. SCR6.BMP Black Cobra has steady ridership, despite not being real popular. SCR7.BMP Take one last ride on Dungeon. It, along with Jungle Racers, will be leaving after the 2004 season. SCR4.BMP Michigan Whirl is still really popular. SCR8.BMP Blaze! is also still popular. Although its days may be numbered after its builder, TOGO, went out of business, and parts are becoming harder to find. SCR9.BMP The train going around. SCR10.BMP Another look at Flip'd Out. SCR11.BMP Everyone get your rides on Dungeon and Jungle Racers before the end of the season.

Sorry I haven't been posting too much. Been busy with work and other things, but I haven't forgotten about the park. Anyway, back to the story. For the 2003 season, only a small addition is added to Timberwood. Skateboards opened in the Action Plaza section of the park. But unfortunately it was overshadowed by some bad news. After 24 years of operation, PowerLoop, the park's original looping coaster, is closing after decreased ridership and growing maintenance costs. The good news was the Reed Brothers had promised to replace it the very next year. Anyway, let's look at the 2003 season at Timberwood Park. SCR12.BMP Located at the top is the latest addition to Action Plaza, Skateboards. As we look at the expansion, Timberwood has huge plans for this area. SCR9.BMP Last year's addition, Michigan Whirl, is a hit with park goers. SCR10.BMP A trainload of riders on Coyote. SCR11.BMP The Raven is still a popular coaster with thrill seekers. SCR13.BMP One of Colossal Air's trains about to climb the lift hill. SCR14.BMP Get one last ride on PowerLoop, Timberwood's original looping coaster before it's gone forever. SCR15.BMP Of course, the original coaster, Patriot, is here to stay. SCR16.BMP While many folks are saddened that PowerLoop is leaving, they are also excited to see what is coming next.

As we head into 2002, Timberwood receives its newest coaster; a Maurer Sohne creation called Michigan Whirl. It is another first of its kind coaster in Michigan, as it's the only spinning coaster in the state. Plus Timberwood Entertainment purchased another amusement park. This time they purchased Winston Grove Park in Northern California (still fictional park). Let's take a look at Timberwood's newest coaster. SCR1.BMP Michigan Whirl, the new coaster for 2002. SCR2.BMP People are lining up for the latest addition to Timberwood. SCR3.BMP The complete layout of Michigan Whirl. SCR4.BMP Last year's addition, Action Plaza, is picking up plenty of steam. SCR5.BMP Some expansion near Black Cobra. SCR6.BMP PowerLoop is rumored to be on its last leg. SCR7.BMP Wild Flume is still going strong. As one of the opening day attractions, it is a testament to Timberwood's legacy. SCR8.BMP With Michigan Whirl added to the coaster lineup, people wonder what will the park add next.

2001 began with the addition of a whole new area called Action Plaza. While it only opened with a couple of attractions, Go Karts and Mini Golf (in-game), there was a promise to expand it in the future. Now let's take a look at the newest area at Timberwood. SCR204.BMP 2001 introduces us to Action Plaza with two new attractions. The first of which is Go Karts. SCR205.BMP The other is Mini Golf. SCR206.BMP A look at the new area. SCR207.BMP The Raven is still pretty popular with guests. SCR208.BMP Last year's addition, The Plunge, is a hit with guests as well. SCR209.BMP Another trainload of riders on Blaze! going up the lift hill. SCR210.BMP Another look at the new area Action Plaza. SCR211.BMP Timberwood has really grown from its humble beginnings back in 1976.

As the new Millennium rolls in, Timberwood presents its newest thrill ride, The Plunge. An Intamin drop tower that rises people up 150 feet in the air and then rotates them at the top just before dropping them down. In spite of the formation of Timberwood Entertainment Company, L.P. which has been buying up independent parks left and right, the Reed Brothers had not forgotten their original flagship park. SCR196.BMP 2000 brings us The Plunge. SCR197.BMP Last year's addition, The Raven, is a much talked-about coaster. SCR198.BMP Next door to The Raven, its predecessor Coyote continues to be a popular coaster. SCR199.BMP Doubledrop is also bringing in the ridership. SCR200.BMP Colossal Air has begun to pick up in ridership once again. SCR201.BMP Fans still seem to like Blaze!, in spite of the fact that this particular model of coaster is now starting to get a bad reputation. SCR202.BMP And we can't forget the original scream machine, Patriot. SCR203.BMP Timberwood is ready to enter the new century with a bang!

As we roll into 1999 and towards the new millennium we check in on Timberwood and the new coaster that has opened. But before we get to that, the Reed Brothers, since forming Timberwood Entertainment Company, L.P. (T.E.C.), made their first amusement park purchase. They had just acquired Uncle Dean's Funland in Omaha, Nebraska (obviously a fictional park), making it T.E.C.'s first park acquisition. Ben Reed, Sr. never would have dreamed that. Ben, Jr. said that they will be adding to Uncle Dean's in the not so distant future. And now to the newest addition to the flagship park, Timberwood Park. That coaster is The Raven, an inverted coaster by Bolliger & Mabillard. Being the only inverted coaster in Michigan makes it a sight to behold. B&M's inverted coasters has become all the rage since its first installation at a well-known Gurnee, Illinois park. And park guests loved the new ride. Let's look in on Timberwood Park and its newest coaster, The Raven. SCR186.BMP New for 1999 is The Raven, an inverted coaster. SCR187.BMP Some of The Raven's twisted layout. It has four inversions which are, in order, a vertical loop, a zero g-roll, a second vertical loop, and a corkscrew. SCR188.BMP The Raven's layout. It is sandwiched between PowerLoop and Coyote. SCR189.BMP Last year's addition, Doubledrop, is still going pretty strong. SCR190.BMP Ladybug is still popular with families. SCR191.BMP The Chairlift is also still popular. SCR192.BMP Wild Flume continues to get steady ridership. SCR193.BMP Coyote is also still getting plenty of riders. SCR194.BMP Another look at The Raven. SCR195.BMP With The Raven now a part of Timberwood Park, it is now in the big league with much larger parks.

1998 has come and the Reed Brothers had an important announcement to make in regards to not only Timberwood Park, but a new venture they were starting. Ben Reed, Jr. stated, "I am proud to announce the formation of Timberwood Entertainment Company, L.P., which will purchase other parks around the country. TImberwood Park will serve as our flagship park." So the Reed Brothers with this new company will be in the same company as other chains like Cedar Fair and Six Flags. Getting back to the new season at the park, Timberwood welcomed Doubledrop, a splash boat ride that is guaranteed to get you soaked. It is located next to Coyote. Now Timberwood has three way to get you wet! The formation of the new company would not be the only announcement from the brothers. They also announced for the 1999 season another first-of-its-kind coaster in Michigan coming to the park, but folks would have to wait until the next season to see what it was. SCR180.BMP 1998 brings us Doubledrop (In-game ride). SCR181.BMP Another trainload of passengers going up Coyote. Doubledrop is next door. SCR182.BMP Thunder Rapids, one of the other water options in the park. SCR183.BMP Pendulum is still going strong. SCR184.BMP Black Cobra finally picked up in ridership. SCR185.BMP Folks wait in anticipation to see what the new coaster coming next year will be.