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Galaxy and Wild Mouse

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Giant Dipper

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Big Dipper

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Figure 8

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Scenic Railway & Jack Rabbit

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Monster Mouse and Zip coaster

Playland, Coeur d' Alene, ID
Playland Pier amusement rides

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Super Big Gulp

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Roller Coaster

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Roller Coaster

Playland Pier, Coeur d' Alene, ID

Playland Pier and rides

Long before there was a Silverwood, back in the 1940's, there was another park that was popular amongst the locals which was located in downtown Coeur d' Alene, ID. This was a special place where many folks would gather and spend an afternoon picnic on the beach, enjoy a swim in beautiful Lake Coeur d' Alene or have a fun time frolicking the midway and riding the amusement rides.

Playland Pier existed on what is now Indepence Point which was developed in 1976. The park was built in 1941 and opened in the summer of 1942. Many residents have fond memories of the park as kids who either visited Playland or worked there. Playland offered an assortment of rides such as a Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Carousel, Kiddie Coaster, and Swings as well as concession stands and games.

According to an article in The Spokesman Review, July 24, 2000 by Alison Boggs/Staff writer, the park was full of people and was a fun place for kids.

"On Coeur d'Alene's waterfront, children once rode bumper cars, a Ferris wheel and swings that sent them soaring over the lake.

Playland Pier amusement park was built in 1941. A bathhouse underneath served as changing rooms for swimmers enjoying City Beach.

The amusement park burned in 1975 and was replaced by a grassy area with parking for people who still go downtown to enjoy the beach.

"When I was growing up, it was a lot of fun," said Sandy Emerson, who has lived in the area all his life. "Boy, it was just full of people all the time."

During the early years Playland did well and was a welcome to families in need of entertainment. But in its last years, like many other old parks, it became rundown. After 30 some years of operation, the park closed and burned to the ground in 1975.

Some of the ride parts had been salvaged including the carousel that was built by the Stillman engineering Corp. in North Tonawanda, NY, during the 1920's then was moved to Coeur d' Alene and operated at Playland from the 1940's-1975.

In an article from The Spokesman Review, Oct 7, 2000 by Becky Kramer Staff writer, one previous local is trying to relocate the carousel and reknew its presence in Coeur d' Alene:

"Carol Jackson Perron bought the carousel 13 years ago at an auction in Puyallup, Wash." Jackson was a local from Coeur d' Alene and visited Playland often as a kid.

The carousel is currently in a shopping mall in Reading, Pa.

"It's probably making more money where it is now," Carol Perron said.

But for sentimental reasons, she'd like to see it returned to Coeur d'Alene. Carol Perron graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1954.

As a youngster, she spent her summers working at Playland Pier, Coeur d'Alene's waterfront amusement park.

She and her husband, Duane, operate a historic carousel museum in Hood River, Ore. They bought the old Coeur d'Alene carousel to keep it intact.

Perron's son, Brad, operates nine historic carousels across the country. He's offered to return the old Coeur d'Alene machine to Independence Point, if the community will provide a building for it.

But funding could be a stumbling block.

Members of the citizens committee are trying to gauge how deep feelings run on the carousel.

"In all the meetings I've been in, the carousel has floated to the top because it was historic," said Sandi Bloem, a downtown business owner who sits on the citizens committee.

However, there are issues related to running a private business in a city park, she said. Funding is also a concern.

The money would need to come from private sources, Walker said. With a new city library in the planning stages, timing may not be right, he said."

Since this article was published it is uncertain as to where the city is at with this as being a potentially funded project. Finding a strong sentimental nitch within the community to fight for what the carousel and Playland once meant, might be a bit to chew on for some. But, it is well worth it when you think of what it truly represents and would bring to future generations.