Dunn Forest Amusement Park [RCT2]

[HowieP]

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!

[HowieP]

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.

[prozach626]

I like your realistic coaster layout. My only advice is to space everything out a little. If you think in terms of most parks outside of carnivals or small 'fun parks,' things aren't as compact and not all entrances are right off the main drag. Some have little plaza's or dead ends. The downside is guests get stuck more easily, so it kills the realism.

Check out some of the youtube videos of really thorough park creations to get a better idea of how spaced out everything is. Look at some google earth images of real parks.

Or, just do whatever you have the most fun doing. Sometimes the monotonous theming and endless bush placement just feels like work and sucks the fun out of the game.

[HowieP]

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.

[HowieP]

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.

[HowieP]

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!

[HowieP]

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!

[HowieP]

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.

[HowieP]

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!

[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.