Paragon Park Would Sure Look Good Now on This Summer Day

As summer comes around and thoughts turn to the beach and carefree days, the former Paragon Park would sure be welcome in a state that seems to become less fun as time goes on.

 Paragon Park at Nantasket Beach in Hull, Mass. had the distinct advantage of being an amusement park conveniently located, for us Boston area people, by one of the best ocean beaches in New England. For many of us, Hampton Beach, N.H., was too far away and with too much traffic getting there. Old Orchard Beach, Maine, added even more travel time and came across back then as more sketchy and the Maine ocean beach water was too cold for swimming. Paragon Park, however, was just a short high school or college group car drive away for most of us in the Boston area as Hull is considered suburban Boston.

Oh, what I would do to see once again the amusement rides, arcades, the boardwalk, the relatively warm swimming water, and most importantly, the spirited summer ambiance. You didn't even have to ride the Giant Coaster or try your hand at skeeball to have fun -- sometimes, it was just nice enough walking around and feeling the essence of a fun summer through the salt sea air, the sandy ocean beaches and crashing waves, the aromas of comfort food and suntan lotion confirming the summer season, and, of course, people just having a great time on the amusement rides and at the penny arcades.

After nearly 80 years bringing summer vacation joy to hundreds of thousands of people, Paragon Park closed in 1984, and Nantasket Beach just hasn't been the same since. The condo development that took the place of much of Paragon Park seems sterile when compared to Paragon Park's family-friendly summer warmth. Sure, the 1928 Carousel and mini golf remains and there is an impressive, growing restaurant scene by Nantasket Beach, but summer here seems more like a cold, winter day knowing that one of the greatest amusements parks on the planet will never be with us again.

Anyone Remember the Wallex Recreation Complex in Waltham, Mass.?

Wallex Bowling Alley Photo: http://www.waltham-community.com

Sometimes the genius of humanity resides in its simplicity and the former Wallex Recreation Complex in Waltham, Mass., certainly tapped into that condition.

Starting in the 1940s as a 20-lane candlepin bowling alley, the complex became a huge Boston area travel attraction when the bowling alley expanded in the 1950s and 60s, a roller skating rink opened, and much later on, the addition of a really good mini golf course, as well as kiddie rides and a ice cream and snack bar. I always thought, "The people who thought this up and made it happen should win some kind of humanity award." Wallex was just so much fun!

The legendary "Candlespins for Cash" TV show filmed segments here and word has it that many celebrities frequented the place when in Boston. I never saw any celebrities, just a certain group of self-perceived popular kids from Arlington High School who regarded themselves as celebrities (in their own minds) -- that is, until they graduated and the story changed for them. I remember my folks dropping us and the Flaherty kids at Wallex, and just having a great time with lots of laughs and many bad bowling and mini golf scores. I know it has happened to others, but it was always hysterical to see someone accidently aim the bowling ball badly into the adjacent lane, or start out in good form but have the bowling ball end up at the scoring table rather than the pins.

Like what they did to Paragon and Whalom Parks, big business came in and took away all the fun. Gone were the days when I broke 70 in candlepin bowling, accidently hit mini golf balls onto the busy main road, and becoming twisted by the sugar overload from too many soft serve twist ice cream cones.

In all fairness, the Wallex Recreation Complex did begin to show its age with some wear and tear, especially at the bowling alley. Everything came to an end in 2002, and now the site houses a CVS and Staples. The great memories, however, can never be taken away.

Pleasure Island Amusement Park Memories

Today, Pleasure Island might be the name of a future TV reality show starring sassy, shallow people, but I remember the name best as a wonderful amusement park located in Wakefield, Mass.

Pleasure Island had a short life -- only in business from 1959 to 1969 -- but the memories can never be taken away.  This lively 100-acre park had all the amusement park bells and whistles that were requisite for finicky kids like me with enough rides, attractions, events and overall visual appeal to create those lifetime of memories. I loved the hokey actors that staged mock gunfights in the Western City, the Space Rocket, Moby Dick and Pirate Rides, the picnic area, the Animal Barn, reliving the frontier days on the Chisholm Trail, the merry-go-round, various boat and car rides, and the locomotive steaming through the premises. I recall a few good places to eat there. They had an entertainment center, too, and I read that performers like Ricky Nelson, the Three Stooges and Caesar Romero performed at the "Show Bowl," We never got to see them, as our bed time was something like right after supper.

I bring up Pleasure Island in conversation whenever I can, and people look at me like I'm nuts. No one seems to remember this place, except my brother-in-law, Bill. It's nice to know there's someone in this world that remembers Pleasure Island and was equally enthusiastic about this amazing amusement park.

A business park eventually replaced Pleasure Island. That's fine -- we need people working in our country -- but perhaps some day an entrepreneur familiar with the glory days of Pleasure Island can find some open space and bring back this wonderful amusement park for the younger generations.  Wouldn't that be nice?