Conneaut Lake Park is continuing its comeback.
After closing in the fall of 2006, the park is slowly beginning to take shape, and now one of its star attractions, the 72-year-old Blue Streak wooden coaster, is back up and running.
"It's a key element to the park, because we don't have a lot of large steel roller coasters or a lot of large adult rides," said Jack Moyers, chairman of the park's board. "So, I think it's something that people come to ride. Riders of all ages enjoy it, and they bring back their memories."
The Blue Streak is one of the park's three coasters and was built in 1937. It is one of the few existing Edward Vettel-designed coasters still in existence, according to American Coaster Enthusiasts. It's about 2,900 feet long, and its highest point peaks at 77 feet.
It was closed because of a faulty section of track overlooking the nearby highway. The coaster recently underwent a restoration project that was estimated at $125,000.
"It was wonderful," said Howard Gillooly, member of American Coaster Enthusiasts. "It's nice having the old girl back after four years. It's even been longer since we road in these trains. I keep forgetting how incredible this ride runs with these trains on it. The airtime, the intensity, it's fabulous."
The park had to replace a 350-foot section of track to get the coaster up to speed. And at least one coaster fanatic thinks it's the beginning of good things for the park.
"With the Blue Streak reopen, I think you're going to see more people coming," said Gillooly. "They've got their star attraction back. And it's not only their star attraction, it's a great star attraction."
The Blue Streak isn't the only project for Conneaut Lake. It's also spent the past year replacing its boardwalk as well as renovating the hotel.
It's all part of a plan to bring the historic park back to life.
"It's something now that we have it started and alive," said Moyers. "We're going to have to keep it fed."
Tickets to ride the Blue Streak are $3.
