PW Aug 09 P28-29.qxd 7/29/09 12:24 pm Page 29
Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
(Robert E Swinson Private Collection) (Robert E Swinson Private Collection)
He’d put his hands up in the air with all the kids as it was coming
up and back down with everyone squealing!”
The fun Never ends
“Vans would bring small groups of children from Make-A-Wish up
to Neverland Valley ," adds Brown. "A lot of them were
Although rumours circulate suggesting Neverland Ranch may be turned into
handicapped. Michael liked watching as we put them on the
a visitor attraction to celebrate Michael Jackson’s life, the rides that made up
carousel with an adult, riding with them and making these kids
Neverland Valley Park are well and truly gone. They do, however, live on at a
forget their disabilities – their faces would light up like Christmas
handful parks and carnivals across the United States.
trees!”
Beech Bend Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky, is now home to the Sea
“Michael held an annual ‘family day’ for ranch employees and
Dragon. Butler Amusements of San Jose, California, purchased the Samba
their families to show his appreciation," Brown notes. "They rode rides
Balloon, Bumper Cars, Lolli Swing, Jeeps and Dumbos/Dragons. The
Dragon Wagon coaster, also owned by Butler Amusements, has been leased
at the amusement park, visited his zoo and petting zoo, reptile barn
for the summer to Anthony Raffaele and is now operating at Coney Island in
and alligator pond. I want people to know Michael Jackson was a
New York. Johnny Moore now owns the Western Train and Turtle Train. David
very good person. Michael gave of himself in a way the general
Helm of Helm & Sons Amusements acquired the Crown steam train, CP
public doesn’t know about. Michael was very generous with what he
Huntington train, Carousel, Spider, Slide and Wave Swinger. Derek Long of
had and loved sharing it with the children. He really enjoyed seeing
Pennwood Shows now
their reactions and giving them the opportunity to see and do things
operates the Wipeout. The
not normally available to them – having a day in Neverland! first of Neverland’s two
“Michael was so excited when a new amusement ride arrived. He Zippers now resides with
would give his input, and where the ride was to be set up. He David Helm, the other with
wanted the undulating lawns around the park for the kids to roll and Doug Barton at Pride of Texas
tumble down. Michael was definitely a kid at heart! Neverland Valley
Shows. The buyer of the Ferris
Ranch was his private escape, but I don’t think he ever came back
wheel, however, remains
after the second ordeal [2004-2005 lawsuit].”
unknown.
“The only other time I believe Michael Jackson was happier than
when we created his teenage dream, Neverland Valley," concludes
The memorial created recently
on the ex-Neverland Sea
Swinson, "was having three children of his own! Michael Jackson Dragon at Beach Bend
and I shared some of his lifetime’s most enjoyable personal
Park in Kentucky
moments and experiences.”
AUGUST 2009 29
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