Amusement park near waterville OH

Vollmer's Park Grand Rapids

I'm disappointed it wasn't listed on Forgotten Ohio

My wife tells me Im nuts...

I know. She tells me the same thing, but I've been sticking up for you. I tell her that those are the good days she's seeing.

Offshore is right and he beat me to it. You're think about Vollmer's Park, which was a nice place. They used to have square dances out there which were real enjoyable.

I recall the roller coaster at Vollmer's. It was a "baby" compared to those at Cedar Point, Six Flags, etc. Also recall walking through the covered bridge that spanned Tontogany Creek in the park. One year, the yellowjackets were swarming in the picnic area. Apparently they can smell burgers and hot dogs being grilled outdoors.

This website has some nice pictures of the Vollmar's Park site from 2006.

Included is a brief history of the park:

Originally Purchased around the turn of the Century by Charles Vollmar, this small family owned park sat on the banks of the Maumee River in Bowling Green Ohio. The park actually closed in the 1940's, with the exception of a roller skating rink, until purchased by the Hofner's in 1963.

It was at that point that rides were added, and the park became more of an amusement park type of environment. It was operated by Mike Hofner, and his family, for over 25 years. The park would typically open around Mother's day, and operate in to late fall. It included several flat rides, a small coaster, roller skating, food, picnicing, and much more family friendly fun.

Eventually, costs exceeded income, and the rides were auctioned off... most likely due to their high insurance and maintenance costs. After auctioning the rides in the late 1980's, the park operated on its own until 2001 when the gates were closed for good.

My only memory is going there and riding the octopus. Since there were very few people there that day, the operator ran the ride longer than usual. Needless to say, I puked :-). Lol

When Cedar Point got too expensive, Dana had some employee picnics there.

Mercy Hospital also had family picnics there. Fun memories and fun to look at all the old pictures!
Thanks, oldhometown, for providing the link!

I was an alter boy in the early 80's and every year we were taken out of class for one day to go to Vollmer's. The rest of the class was quite envious.

Channel 24 also had employee picnics there as well. Sad to say the world passed this little park by as the time flew by.

wow, that's a shame it's so rundown, looks like a really nice place at one time. I took my kids there once, probably mid to late 80's, and it was ok, but not really for grownups, mostly kiddie rides and such. I don't remember seeing the inside of any buildings at all and didn't walk around to the picnic area. Shame someone can't restore it to just a picnic area, it looks like it could be beautiful. If I win the lottery....

UAW Local 14 used to have annual picnics there.

I have very fond memories of the Local 50 family picnics at Vollmar's Park. I would guess it was the mid 80s when they stopped the picnics due to cost.

What a difference in the world. Most companies have cut out family activities completely. My husbands work had a cookout on lunch hour and the employees had to donate for hotdogs and burgers and bring side dishes. Its sad since he works for a very large company with millionaire executives.

Memories like vollmar's make me proud to live in NW Ohio. It always has been a great place for families.

Not to change the subject but does anyone else remember the Blue Hole in Castalia, Ohio?? My grandpa used to take to to Vollmer's park all the time when I was little.

Seems like we drove by the Blue Hole or signs going to Cedar Point as a kid. Might be wrong.

What I don't understand about the Blue Hole, is why the State closed it off to the public. One would think, is even if the State only charged a buck or two a head they would make some decent money.

There's something down there....

lol, I was there a few times as a kid, loved looking thru the fish hatchery, been thru Castalia a lot in adulthood, always wondered why it closed. Took my kids lots of times to feed the ducks and geese in Cold Creek, too. Nice Sunday ride.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Hole_(Castalia)

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/983

Yes it was. My grandpa always took us there also. If we wanted to do something we just walked down to grandpa's and we got in the car and drove somewhere.

We were never bored as kids growing up. He used to take us around BGSU, University of Toledo, Monroe, MI, Carey, Maumee Bay or any of the other parks around here. We also used to go to the Spring Scrimmage at Notre Dame.

Until recently he did all that with my kids too but now he's having hip problems and it's hard for him to walk, which really upsets him because he used to walk every day.

sounds like a great guy!