Seabreeze Amusement Park
Encyclopedia
Seabreeze Amusement Park, known locally as Seabreeze, is an historic amusement park
in Irondequoit
, a suburb of Rochester, New York
, United States
.
Seabreeze is in northeast Irondequoit, where Irondequoit Bay
empties into Lake Ontario
. It opened on 5 August 1879, and, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association
(NAPHA), it is the twelfth-oldest operating amusement park in the world (fourth-oldest in the United States). Its most celebrated ride is the Jack Rabbit
, an "out and back
" roller coaster
, and the fourth-oldest operating roller coaster in the world (opened 1920). It is owned and operated by the Norris family, many of whom lived on the property for years.
that provided a park and picnic grounds at the end of the trolley line. With Seabreeze's prime location and with its scenic views of Irondequoit Bay
and Lake Ontario
, rides were added beginning in 1900.
Its popularity was such that during the early part of the twentieth century, it was often referred to as the "Coney Island
of the West." The park was known as Dreamland for approximately thirty years during the post-World War II
era.
added in 1915. (The carousel was almost completely destroyed by fire on March 31, 1994; a new carousel of hand-made parts, potentially one of the last to be made in this way, was commissioned to replace it, using four horses that survived the fire.) Four roller coaster
s were added in the 1920s, including a ride called the Virginia Reel, and the "world's largest salt water swimming pool - sections of which still exist inside of a huge storage building on the south end of the property beyond the edge of the jackrabbit."
Today, in addition to the carousel and the Jack Rabbit, the park includes a spinning coaster called "The Whirlwind
," the "Raging Rivers" water park
, and other modern and classic amusement ride
s.
The park announced in November 2009 a new thrill ride, a Mega Disk'O by Zamperla, would be added in 2010. The ride will be named "Revolution 360°" with a width of 30 ft, length at 123 ft, height at 5 stories (47 ft),number of passengers is 24 adults,and about 30 mph.
. Opened in 1920, it is the fourth oldest operating roller coaster in the world and second oldest in the USA.
It is a hard ride to learn to operate, there are several brake levers and it takes a while to learn the proper timing and sequence to accurately stop the cars at the platform.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
in Irondequoit
Irondequoit, New York
Irondequoit is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the coterminous town-CDP had a total population of 51,692...
, a suburb of Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Seabreeze is in northeast Irondequoit, where Irondequoit Bay
Irondequoit Bay
Irondequoit Bay is a large body of water located in northeastern Monroe County, New York. The bay, roughly wide and in length, is fed by Irondequoit Creek to the south and flows into Lake Ontario at its northern end...
empties into Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
. It opened on 5 August 1879, and, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association
National Amusement Park Historical Association
The National Amusement Park Historical Association was founded in 1978 by a former employee of Chicago's Riverview Amusement Park, and NAPHA has grown throughout a long period of time to include amusement parks from all over the world. NAPHA preserves amusement park history and historic rides. ...
(NAPHA), it is the twelfth-oldest operating amusement park in the world (fourth-oldest in the United States). Its most celebrated ride is the Jack Rabbit
Jack Rabbit (Seabreeze)
Jack Rabbit, is an "out and back" wooden roller coaster located at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, New York. At its opening in 1920, it was the fastest roller coaster in the world, the Giant Dipper superseded it in 1924. It is the fourth oldest operating roller coaster in the world...
, an "out and back
Out and Back roller coaster
Out and back refers to the layout of a roller coaster. An out and back coaster is one that climbs a lift hill, races out to the far end of the track, performs a 180 degree turn and then races its way back to the station....
" roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
, and the fourth-oldest operating roller coaster in the world (opened 1920). It is owned and operated by the Norris family, many of whom lived on the property for years.
History
Like many historic amusement parks, Seabreeze did not begin with rides or attractions but as a trolley parkTrolley park
In the United States, trolley parks, which started in the 19th century, were picnic and recreation areas along or at the ends of streetcar lines in most of the larger cities. These were precursors to amusement parks. These trolley parks were created by the streetcar companies to give people a...
that provided a park and picnic grounds at the end of the trolley line. With Seabreeze's prime location and with its scenic views of Irondequoit Bay
Irondequoit Bay
Irondequoit Bay is a large body of water located in northeastern Monroe County, New York. The bay, roughly wide and in length, is fed by Irondequoit Creek to the south and flows into Lake Ontario at its northern end...
and Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
, rides were added beginning in 1900.
Its popularity was such that during the early part of the twentieth century, it was often referred to as the "Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
of the West." The park was known as Dreamland for approximately thirty years during the post-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
era.
Rides and Attractions
Early rides included its centerpiece carouselCarousel
A carousel , or merry-go-round, is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating circular platform with seats for riders...
added in 1915. (The carousel was almost completely destroyed by fire on March 31, 1994; a new carousel of hand-made parts, potentially one of the last to be made in this way, was commissioned to replace it, using four horses that survived the fire.) Four roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
s were added in the 1920s, including a ride called the Virginia Reel, and the "world's largest salt water swimming pool - sections of which still exist inside of a huge storage building on the south end of the property beyond the edge of the jackrabbit."
Today, in addition to the carousel and the Jack Rabbit, the park includes a spinning coaster called "The Whirlwind
WhirlWind (Seabreeze)
The WhirlWind is a roller coaster at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Rochester, New York. It is where Quantum Loop stood until Winter 2004 when the WhirlWind was added.-History:...
," the "Raging Rivers" water park
Water park
A waterpark is an amusement park that features waterplay areas, such as water slides, splash pads, spraygrounds , lazy rivers, or other recreational bathing, swimming, and barefooting environments...
, and other modern and classic amusement ride
Amusement ride
Amusement rides are large mechanical devices that move people to create enjoyment. They are frequently found at amusement parks, traveling carnivals, and funfairs.-Notable types:*Afterburner*Ali Baba*Balloon Race*Booster...
s.
The park announced in November 2009 a new thrill ride, a Mega Disk'O by Zamperla, would be added in 2010. The ride will be named "Revolution 360°" with a width of 30 ft, length at 123 ft, height at 5 stories (47 ft),number of passengers is 24 adults,and about 30 mph.
The Jack Rabbit
The Jack Rabbit, is an "out and back" roller coaster located at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, New YorkIrondequoit, New York
Irondequoit is a town in Monroe County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the coterminous town-CDP had a total population of 51,692...
. Opened in 1920, it is the fourth oldest operating roller coaster in the world and second oldest in the USA.
It is a hard ride to learn to operate, there are several brake levers and it takes a while to learn the proper timing and sequence to accurately stop the cars at the platform.