(Wheeling) Wild Escape Theme Park coming soon

[seicer]

http://www.news-register.net/news/articles...?articleID=9316

http://www.news-register.net/news/articles...?articleID=9359

SLC: This is a new "enterainment campus", titled "Wild Escape Theme Park" that will feature spas, hotels, shopping, along with rides and other attractions. It is designed to be a year-round, "all-ages" enterainment-oriented park with "music and concerts."

See the first URL for a description of every section of the park that is planned.

[Oherian]

http://www.news-register.net/news/articles...?articleID=9316

http://www.news-register.net/news/articles...?articleID=9359

SLC: This is a new "enterainment campus", titled "Wild Escape Theme Park" that will feature spas, hotels, shopping, along with rides and other attractions. It is designed to be a year-round, "all-ages" enterainment-oriented park with "music and concerts."

See the first URL for a description of every section of the park that is planned.

I'm very skeptical about this one. The developer made similar promises on another park elsewhere, one that still hasn't started. It's not a good market for another park, either -- there's significant competition in the form of Geauga Lake, Cedar Point, and Kennywood.

[frankliner]

Would this be the first theme park for WV?

[seicer]

Would this be the first theme park for WV?

Kenova, WV (outside of Huntington) has Camden Park.

[Oherian]

Kenova, WV (outside of Huntington) has Camden Park.

Depends on how you define "theme" park. Technically, Camden is not a theme park, rather it is an amusement park. WV has had several amusement parks, including:

• Coney Island -- Wheeling

• Luna Park -- Charleston

• Luna Park -- Wheeling

• Mozart Park -- Wheeling

• Ogelbay Park -- Wheeling

• Rock Springs Park -- Chester

• State Fair Amusement Park -- Wheeling

• Terrapin Park -- Parkersburg

• Wheeling Park -- Wheeling

• Lake Shawnee -- Bluefield

There were others, including one I believe that was swept away by a flood in the Eastern Panhandle, but I can't find their names at the moment. Camden has been the lone survivor, operating continuously for over 100 years now.

[frankliner]

What type of setups did the parks have? Were those more carnival styled rides?

[seicer]

Big Holes In Park Plans

Notes --

1. The Wild Escape Theme Park at The Highlands east of Wheeling was expected to be partially complete and open this year. However, due to permit issues and property disputes, it will not open until 2008.

1a. The Ohio County Development Authority is in the middle of a property dispute with a New Jersey resident who owns ~20 acres of property between Interstate 70 and the proposed theme park site.

1ai. That New Jersey owner (David O