liftsifter Posted January 10, 2010 Posted January 10, 2010 This is my first time posting, so I'm sorry if it doesn't live up to some others. Welcome to Chicagoland Gardens! March 20, 1975 The Chicagoland area has been yearning for a new source of fun! We are the answer to that. When our park opens we will have 6 attractions, along with a flurry of gorgeous areas for you and your family to come and relax. We are stilling getting the park ready for our opening day, April 1, 1975, and we hope to see you there with us! The beautiful enterance to Chicagoland Gardens. The Main Street Cinema, where guests can come watch the Main Street Dancers, or the Main Street Orchestra One of the many immaculate gardens, where the young and old can sit and rest. Ameri-Go-Round is the parks Merry-Go-Round, located near the entrance. In this building, there are a bunch of random trinkets and toys, along with clothing having to do with the upcoming Bicentennial![/img]
the ghost Posted January 11, 2010 Posted January 11, 2010 Nice start so far. The park has a very nice traditional feel so far! Keep it up!
liftsifter Posted January 11, 2010 Author Posted January 11, 2010 ^Thanks! That's what I'm aiming to do! Welcome to Chicagoland Gardens April 1, 2009 Grand Opening! Welcome to Chicagoland Gardens! A place where you can thrill, and chill'! We're happy to report that we've added a few more gardens around the park, and that more will be coming through the season, and through the coming years. We hope you enjoy yourself at Chicagoland Gardens, and we hope that you enjoy our rides. The park entrance, with a beautiful reflection pond. I'm happy to report that lines for Calamity Mine are long, and capacity is at it's most! Tom S. told me that he would definitely be returning to the park, and that the line was well worth the wait! Many guests were happy to find a classic carousel at the park. American Express is an Americana themed swinging ferry ride. This lovely couple ended the night nicely, with a sweet kiss. Your feedback, even negative, is welcomed!
dmaxsba2408 Posted January 11, 2010 Posted January 11, 2010 I think you could get rid of about half of the benches along that path. You seem to be missing all the gang tags. It is a Chicago Park right? Just kidding. The park does look nice, very peaceful. Great job on it so far.
CorkscrewFoley Posted January 11, 2010 Posted January 11, 2010 What a charming little park! I can't wait to see more. Say, is that the Calamity Mines from Charleston Gardens?
liftsifter Posted January 12, 2010 Author Posted January 12, 2010 ^^ Based of it, but not a replica! ^ Thanks! That is the exact goal of this park! FIRE! A fire blazes at Chicagoland Gardens! The park's Vekoma Mine Train's lift chain was the cause of the incident. Officials are looking into weather it was an arson, or if it was a problem on behalf of Vekoma or the park. A puzzled Vekoma inspector leaves the ride wondering why such a new ride went up in flames! Press Release from the park: Chicagoland Gardens would like to sincerely apologize for the problem that occurred on our mine train, Calamity Mine. Luckily no one was aboard the train during the incident. We've made a bold decision in choosing to keep the ride closed for the rest of the season, and park officials are discussing the future of the troubled ride.
liftsifter Posted January 16, 2010 Author Posted January 16, 2010 Chicagoland Gardens closes early. Park Goers don't care! Chicagoland Gardens has ultimately decided to close the park 2 weeks early, citing low attendance, and fire, as the reasons for the closure. Park guest s say that the park never told them the reason for the fire, and that the park's silence about the fire was because it's their fault. Park manager, Mark Smith, went on record and said, "The fire was an unfortunate event, and we hope it will never happen again. As of now, it seems that a faulty product on Vekoma's side is the problem. We're working with Vekoma to see whether it was poor maintenance, or if it was a faulty chain lift." Vekoma Rides, based in the Netherlands, has chosen not to comment on the event, but has noted the event as a "tragedy" and "most likely a faulty lift system" As of right now Calamity Mine, the ride in question, is Standing But Not Operating, and at this point in time, it seems that this was it's first and only year of operation. Andrea Leu, the park's ride and attractions manager, announced that, " Just because we've lost one ride, that does not ultimately conclude that the park has failed. We have 5 planned attractions, which includes a garden, that will thrill the thrillers, and soothe the calm. Get ready to Get wet and Wild in 1976!"
liftsifter Posted January 17, 2010 Author Posted January 17, 2010 Opening Day: Calamity Mine is no where to be found. It's opening day, 1976, and the park is expecting a heavy load of guests! Although people are still baffled that the incident last year was a Vekoma problem, guests resent, and choose the beautiful park, over Marriot's Great America. The new park manager, David Rayahin, commented on the new competition and said, "We won't be affected. I guarantee you this. Our park offers an experience no other can provide. With this years, "FrightinthePark" event along with a one-of-a-kind Christmas event known as, "LightsatthePark". We hope to re brand the park, not as a theme-park, but as an unthemed garden. With an overwhelming amount of additions this season, a garden, and the relocation of the Carousel, and Ferris Wheel, the park is gearing itself for both the riders and the tourists. The new ticket prices seem to place us in an extremely competitive spot. We're offering a one-day ticket for $5 and parking is included! Essentially, your family can have a nice day out for about $30, and eat dinner to! This offer only extends to September 21, 1976. After this point ticket prices bump to $8 with parking included." This season, the park is going to be truly gearing towards everyone. The Halloween event is scheduled to run from September 22-October 31, and the park will open on all days of the week. But the dates are not yet confirmed for the Christmas event. The park says that most rides will be open for the christmas event, but a few will not. The event is only weather permitting, park opening may be delayed during snowfall, or if the park is still plowing the snow. "If all goes well..." Said David, "We hope to have the park open from 9:00am-9:00pm on Special event days." The Carousel looks much better with the reflection pond in front, and hopefully, this will boost the popularity of the Carousel. It seems that during the winter months there was a terrible flooding incident in the theater. The park has not begun repairing the damage, because they are unsure if they can balance it in the budget. This also posses a safety hazard, with mold, and mildew. This is Splash! a Schwarzkopf Shuttle Loop coaster. Popularity for the coaster hasn't been good, but it's most likely because the park hasn't really gotten busy yet. This is the new Garden that is not yet open. It is expected to open to the public next week! A new storage building has been built. This is most likely where decorations are going to be stored, along with Calamity Mine, until it can be relocated. It is most likely going to another park. This is TripleDrop, the park's log flume that drops, you guessed it three times! It seems like the park will be doing something very secretive in the area where the pink building used to be. David also commented to say that, "The new storage building is currently empty, and will only be holding decorations for the holiday events. All pieces of Calamity Mine are in the possession of Vekoma Rides in the Netherlands, and they'vev agreed to fully refund the park. I can say that I am extremely pleased with the way things have turned out for the start of the season, and I hope that we can get the MainStreet Theater up and running as soon as possible."
liftsifter Posted January 23, 2010 Author Posted January 23, 2010 *Just wanted to let all know that this park is now a TPR EXCLUSIVE!* October 1, 1976 I'm happy to announce that our Frightinthepark event is a complete success! I'm not so happy to report, that due to financial setbacks, the park will be canceling the Lightsinthepark event. - David Rayahin All children rides are closed for the special event. David mentioned that the park would be putting up this temporary swing ride during this event, and during the off-season this area will become a new garden, or an expansion of a garden. Every guest is entitled to one pumpkin from the patch. If they dare. This is another temporary attraction. It was called "Mad Haus" and from what I've heard, nobody under 14 has yet to enter. This will be taken down during the regular season and put up during this time. The night ended very nicely with a fireworks show. The winter months would soon approach. The park had this advertisement around the park! It seems that a large garden will be added somewhere around the park. I also heard a few guests talking and saying that the park was going to add 5 new "things" next year. See you in 1977!
liftsifter Posted January 31, 2010 Author Posted January 31, 2010 Chicagoland Gardens May 1, 1977 I am so happy to announce that we have added five (5) new attractions to our vast lineup of thrill rides, smooth rides, and gardens! - Nothing But Air - Bamboo - International Gardens - Southern Cross - Apple Fields Last month, Willard Marriott commented to say that our park "lacked thrills, and an experience to remember." Well, I'm happy to say that 9 out of 10 guests said that they will be returning within the next month, and only 5 out of 10 said they would return to Marriott's Great America. This year, many rides received new names, and refurbishment. Here are a few: - "Spinners" has been renamed to "Tea Cups" - "Ameri-Go-Round" has been renamed to "Carousel" - American Express has moved closer to Bamboo - "Splash!" has been renamed to "Loop de Loop" and was refurbished due to a launch failure, and has been repainted green and white. - David Rayahin Final renderings of this amazing PTC Wild Woodie! I hear that it drops over 130ft! International Gardens is an indoor garden, with food stalls from many different nations. There is Italian food, Mexican Food, Arabic Food, Indian Food, and a flurry of others! This is the new apple field that is free for all! Every guest is entitled to half a pound of fresh apples! The entrance, as it will look this year!
liftsifter Posted February 7, 2010 Author Posted February 7, 2010 Chicagoland Gardens Season 3 - 1977 What a wonderful, and very long off-season! We've begun merging with FunTime, inc., our new parent company. FunTime has housed many theme parks such as, Charleston Gardens, a family favorite! This merger will allow for us to continue many in park events such as: - Fright In The Park, a wonderful in park Halloween event, where the whole park turns into a Halloween wonderland! - Smashing Pumpkins!, an event where the Smashing Pumpkins visit the park, and anyone that brings a pumpkin to smash gets free admission! - Friday Night Concerts, Soon, we will begin the Friday Night Concerts, where many new "pop" bands will come and tickets are free to Season Pass holders! I would like to take a second to condone the help of about 30 volunteer workers who helped us re-plant through the park! Thanks to them, our park can be as beautiful as it is today! Sadly, I must report that during the off-season we've had quite a few problems with TripleDrop, and we've decided to have the ride removed. It's been sent to the manufacturers, and will be relocated to another FunTime property. We are planning on expanding the park further, within the coming seasons. - David Rayahin Bamboo, reaches 120ft., and has over 20 seconds of airtime! Overview of the park, after I climbed up the lift of Bamboo! Southern Cross, is an extremely thrilling Arrow corkscrew coaster that features 5 inversions! The most inversions in the world! The International Gardens area is still being completed, and will be ready within the next week. The new color and station of Loop De Loop. One of the maintenance people told me to come up to the top of "A I R". If you looked down the 176ft tall tower, you'd see the previous spot of Triple Drop, It was quite compact looking, but really took quite a lot of space. When they told me they wanted to put up a wooden barricade so that any work wouldn't affect the beauty, I insisted that a professional fence was installed! This fence features very sturdy fiberglass poles, and grey stone, as seen on the paths! Please reply! Any feedback is appreciated.
Airtime&Gravity Posted February 7, 2010 Posted February 7, 2010 Looks good for the most part, but a few things: 1. Bank the turns on the Arrow coaster. Having flat turns in high speed areas is unrealistic and is painful to the riders. Flat turns should only be entering and leaving the station. 2. Fill in the areas around the rides with trees and flowers. It is simple, but it will help make your park realistic and better looking. This park has potential, so keep up the good work.
liftsifter Posted February 7, 2010 Author Posted February 7, 2010 Thanks for your suggestions, they've all been solved. I don't know what I was thinking with the non-banked turn, that was stupid on my part!
liftsifter Posted February 14, 2010 Author Posted February 14, 2010 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
liftsifter Posted February 17, 2010 Author Posted February 17, 2010 FuneTime INC announces intention for park closure. This morning FTI stock plummeted as the company announced that it's whole park devision will be shut down in the coming 2 years. The companies' most successful park, Chicagoland Gardens will , "most likely never operate again, unless a buyer is found soon." This news comes at a time when the park was beginning to trump Great America in admission, and profit. As of right now, no park operators have come up and offered to purchase the park. The park, which was rumored to be officially renamed as " The Gardens", was home to three state-of-the-art roller coasters, and quite a few flat rides. FTI announced that it would only sell the park under the terms that it could leave with any items in storage that are not required for the operation of any rides, and "Loop-de-Loop". This is very tight, and could force the park into closure, as not many parks would be interested in such a park. The park released their own press release: As of today, February 6, 1978, our parks division is being consecrated as we speak. We've yet to see any success with this division. The Chicago park will never operate again, unless a viable buyer is found. Removal of Loop-de-Loop has already begun, along with the removal of all signs, and park indications. More news will be realized when available. We've chosen to keep operating two of the seven parks, and those are, The Gardens L.A. and The Gardens D.C. Update: March 1, 1998 FunTime Inc was ordered to vacate the area, as we've lost the lease. We'd like to thank you for all of your help in making our park what it was. Loop-de-Loop has been relocated to another FTI park.
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