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 reason to use their services on weekends.

These parks originally consisted of picnic groves and pavilions, and often held events such as dances, concerts and fireworks. Many eventually added features such as swimming pools, carousels, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, sports fields, boats rides, restaurants and other resort facilities to become amusement parks. Various sources report the existence of between 1500 and 2000 amusement parks in the United States by 1919.

By the early 1900s, there were hundreds of amusement parks, many of them starting as trolley parks, in operation around the world. Every major city boasted one or more parks, often based on (or named) Coney Island, Luna Park, Dreamland. This began the era of the “golden age” of amusement parks that reigned until the late 1920s. This was an era when the number of hours worked was reduced, while the amount of disposable income was rising. The amusement parks reflected the mechanization and efficiency of industrialization while serving as source of fantasy and escape from real life.


We actually have two parks near us that are STILL operating amusement parks..but started at Trolley Parks. One is Kennywood Park (www.kennywood.com), and the other one is Idewild Park (www.idlewild.com).

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 reason to use their services on weekends.

These parks originally consisted of picnic groves and pavilions, and often held events such as dances, concerts and fireworks. Many eventually added features such as swimming pools, carousels, Ferris wheels, roller coasters, sports fields, boats rides, restaurants and other resort facilities to become amusement parks. Various sources report the existence of between 1500 and 2000 amusement parks in the United States by 1919.

By the early 1900s, there were hundreds of amusement parks, many of them starting as trolley parks, in operation around the world. Every major city boasted one or more parks, often based on (or named) Coney Island, Luna Park, Dreamland. This began the era of the “golden age” of amusement parks that reigned until the late 1920s. This was an era when the number of hours worked was reduced, while the amount of disposable income was rising. The amusement parks reflected the mechanization and efficiency of industrialization while serving as source of fantasy and escape from real life.


We actually have two parks near us that are STILL operating amusement parks..but started at Trolley Parks. One is Kennywood Park (www.kennywood.com), and the other one is Idewild Park (www.idlewild.com).


The words ring a bell, I can remember as a really little kid preschool age riding the trolleys in Phildadelphia. But there is something really familiar about the term Trolley Park

Haven't been to this park but I've heard it's good.  It was around as a fishing lake before the trolley line was put in but the trolley line made it into a resort.

Quassy Park

Haven't been to this park but I've heard it's good.  It was around as a fishing lake before the trolley line was put in but the trolley line made it into a resort.

Quassy Park



that seems like a charming little place. Yes, as most trolley parks went...they usually included a picnic grove, a rollerskating rink, a few rides, etc.


We used to have a park near us called Oakford Park, which started as a trolley park and ended it's day as a community swimming pool. Sadly, it has remained defunct since the '80s. :-\\

Haven't been to this park but I've heard it's good.  It was around as a fishing lake before the trolley line was put in but the trolley line made it into a resort.

Quassy Park


Been to Quassy a few times, its good if you have little kids, and has an oldtimey feel to it. But its nothing like 6 flags or even in the  same class.
Pretty low tech and retro when I was there last. Around 5 years ago. I actually lived like 20 mins from there when I lived up North