Trimper's Rides at Ocean City MD closing after this season?

[DECoasterMom]

Searched forums but didn't see a thread.

 

According to our local paper this morning, Trimper's Rides (Ocean City MD) might be closing after the 2007 season I added it to my must-visits for the summer just in case.

 

Here's a better article from the Washington Post:

 

OCEAN CITY -- For 117 summers, generations of children have frolicked through Trimper's Rides on this beach resort town's signature boardwalk. But this Memorial Day weekend might begin the last summer they circle the antique wooden carousel, fling around the Tilt-a-Whirl and loop through the Tidal Wave roller coaster.

 

The Trimpers say they are considering closing the amusement park and arcade this year.

 

Trimper's Rides, an Ocean City mainstay since 1890, is owned by 14 family members, some of whom are seeking help from the state to keep the park open.

 

As Ocean City has exploded into a megaresort, property taxes have soared for Trimper's, which operates on the last chunk of undeveloped land on the town's three-mile boardwalk. In the past three years, family members said, their assessed property value has tripled, from $21 million to $65 million.

 

So the Trimpers are facing reality. Revenue from thrill rides and arcade games can't keep pace with the skyrocketing value of their three-block site, they say. In addition to property taxes, insurance and energy costs are up, and the family is split over what to do: Some members want to sell, but others want to find a way -- perhaps through a change to lower the park's assessment or a historic designation -- to keep going.

 

"After 117 years, I don't want to be the Trimper that closes the place up," said family patriarch Granville D. Trimper, 78, president of the company. Although he declined to provide financial specifics, Trimper said, "We can't keep going without making a profit."

 

Across the nation -- from Coney Island, N.Y., to Myrtle Beach, S.C., to Panama City, Fla. -- beach amusement parks have become victims of the ocean-view development boom.

 

Trimper's is the oldest continuously owned amusement park in the United States, and its demise would reverberate beyond the mid-Atlantic shore, said Jim Futrell of the National Amusement Park Historical Association.

 

Closing Trimper's "will forever change Ocean City, and I don't think it will change it for the better," Futrell said. "It would rob the community of its soul."

 

No developer has approached the family about buying the property, said Doug Trimper, Granville's son, who helps manage the park. But the Trimpers need only consider recent history to know what could be in store if they sell.

[Ccron10]

I've heard about that.

 

WHAT THE HECK IS IT WITH ALL THESE SMALL PARKS CLOSING!?!!?

 

There's sort of a 50/50 chance of the park remaining open. I've been there even though I didn't get the Sidewinder credit, it's a nice park with indoor and outdoor rides. Ocean Pier Rides is not that far away and they have a half decent set of rides.

[ECZenith]

Friggin' condos for the rich will most likely replace it... The sad fact is these little boardwalk parks don't really stand a chance anymore. I think the only ones that will make it in the long run are Santa Monica Pier, Belmont Park, and Morey's Piers because they do so well.

[EftelingGal]

Nooooooooooooooo!!!!

Trimpers Please dont go Bye bye!!!!

[verticalzero]

Are these rides in the Park worth saving..?

[bigstevet07]

I can't believe this park may close. It was my first boomerang credit and my toboggan. This will be extrememly sad if it happens. I can remember going there in the 80's when I was little. They have a great whip too.

[Reon]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I was just there for a school trip, and the mid section was closed..Even ignoring the fact that I'm down 3 credits now, WHY? First and foremost, Trimpers is a MUCH better deal than the other boardwalk park. I mean, aside from the better variety of rides, they run the park on individual tickets, whereas Jolly Rogers or whatever its called requires an unlimited ride ticket that is insanely expensive for the 2 or 3 good rides they offer. Sure, Timpers can be better about opperations, but I've visited Ocean City 3 times now. Timpers is INFINATELY better than that fruity Pirate's park, and I would be...sourly dissapointed if it were to close.

 

Jared"and just when I was thinking of moving to OC once I graduated..."Becker[/b]

[Krazykral10]

I heard this! I doubt this will happen. ONLY because a year or two ago they were saying the same this abot Jolly Roger's. Dude Trimpers just bought a crap load of new rides and stuff! I'd be realy upset if it closes. Well, the boardwalk would be less crowded at that end! but Trimper's is better than the Pier or Jolly Roger's. I do however LOVE Splash Mountain!

[esvadj]

This was the worst theme park related news I heard in a long time (second only to the Fiesta Fun Center closing at the Contemporary @ WDW) Ocean City is less than an hour away from me, so I travel there several times every summer. I have never been to a park with such a varried collection of flat rides, some dating back 75+ years. Not to metion the three Tracey dark rides.

 

The problem Trimper's is having, is taxes on their property. It is my understanding that the property taxes have more than tripled over the past few years. They are currently tring to get some tax breaks based on historic property and the such.

 

I plan on visiting the park/ parks sometime in June and will use the visit as my first Photo Trip report. If you have never seen Trimpers, you will be impressed.