You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park

[DandDc0dml65]

i live in ri and rocky point is open there is a bike path abut there is some state trooper because they dont want anybodydoing stuff to the old buildings

[Jrockaboi]

...  This brings so many memories!

[carouselgal]

Is this story available online? I loved Rocky Point...went a couple of times as a teenager. What a great place! Loved the carousel and the Music Express with it's 70s rock tunes blasting! Oh and the Shore Dinner at the World's Largest Dining Hall...YUM! Just don't eat before you go on the rides . ;-)

[JustJoeLv]

was a great place to go .. sad its gone.....

[jadedheart30]

i saw this it was awesome

[TheSlickpack]

Richard Payne, Lori Handy, Dave Faltisco, Jennifer McHendry, E.B. Keane, Luisa. I miss you all! And Izzy.

[TheSlickpack]

I worked their as a gate guard back in 1987-88. I since have left R.I. and was very dissapointed to find it had closed. As a young man, it was the greatest place in the world to work. I was able to talk to everyone who came and left. It doesn't surprise me that it did eventually close. If I remember correctly, the park was run by a lot of folks from the Warwick police dept. They kinda just made their own rules back then.  Some of the police were even run out of the dept. for embezzling years lat

[johnnykov]

I went there in about 1988 or so...when did it close down and why? They were just building that "free fall" the summer that we went. Nice little amusement park.

[nightshadedesign]

@johnnykov The company that owned it was run by half-wits. The general consensus is that the park itself made money but the people who owned it kept borrowing against it to cover all their other tanking investments. Eventually, they drove the park broke and were forced to sell the property and auction the rides.

[dionstap]

@nightshadedesign thats a sad story what with everyting nowadays being corporate owned-these small independent parks were better!

[odog65]

@dionstap tell me about it surprised I'm not in a straight jacket from all the suckage. only thing I have to hope for is that 12/21 is for real and not a disappointment like 2000

[mgrella63]

What year did it close and why???

[pgmdata]

My daughter got to ride the cyclone at 5 years old after I bribed the kid at the gate, I doubt she was the youngest ever to ride, but she was most likely the smallest at 21 she is barely 5 feet tall...and still addicted to coasters all over the world...I loved the place. :) Licoln Par, Rocky Point, Canobie Lake....Great memories.

[doxiegirl213]

Oh the boyfriends and the fun and the food... what clamcakes and chowda... an good times.. except when it closed and only the memories are left.. can't take that away... ROCKY POINT ROCKS.. AND Im 63 and my mother who would have been 99 this dec. danced on the pier ballroom when she was young... thanks for the memories.

[shepherdess10]

This video makes me so sad. I am 43. I used to go to Rocky Point in the summertime with friends and family! I was a daredevil and loved all the wild rides! The Enterprise was one of my favorites, as well as the one where it looks like a ferris wheel-but each person is in a cage...that spins. So if you are stuck at the top, you are spinning around hanging upside down! I We had so many memories (all on VHS) in the early '80's! It is such a shame to see it torn down/run down. Breaks my heart.

[ThePatsfan77]

@shepherdess10  i feel ur pain it was my childhood

[amityphil]

I remember sitting in the pink caff eating chowder and clam cakes.....I want some now!

[beardman123454321]

I love the song. Neutral Nation rocks. Im the guitarists nephew. He's pretty fucking awesome.

[DevSodDribble]

'New England's 'only' great amusement park'?? As a lifelong Canobie Lake Park fan, I must tell you that that is b.s.!! ;)

[RanetkiFan]

PATHETIC SHAME this place is gone, so sad no one picked up this place, :(

[Rwingr9]

I can still taste the chower and clam cakes

[ccg1171]

Lincoln Park in Dartmouth was better!!!!!!!!!!

[mtu714]

so glad to see they did something with the land after they destroyed the park o yea they didnt fucking politics in the state of Rhode Island great stuff

[Frontbagg]

So appropriate to have neutral nation version of Rocky Point. Loved this place

[46singledad46]

this is one thing i will never get over. no good reason to close rocky point.. anyone with a brain could have made this into a 6 flags . the land is there. however. this is what politics get in the way. jobs needed at leat there would be a few in the summer . now there gone like the rest of this state .

[IRONSEAN7]

i loved this place as a kid, i live in mass, but was still very convienient

[lrsoxfan]

the memories

[MCRfan141995]

when we went to rhode island to see where rockypoint was and what it looked like today... the rockypoint sign was taken down and they had fences blacking the entrance to get in

[MCRfan141995]

my dad worked there when he was a kid so i bought him this movie

[DesporadoAZ]

I lived in Albany, NY in the 70's and my cousins lived on Warwick Neck within spiting distance of RP. We'd go visit 4 or 5 times a year and always go to Rocky Point. My Mom was from Providence and I still have relatives who live in the area. The last time I went was in 1991 when my Mom passed away and we had her service in Warwick. Me and my brothers decided that we wanted to take my Dad to Rocky Point the day after her service kind of as a tribute and a trip down memory lane. Awesome memory.

[oodoodanoo]

I worked in the food stands in the mid-80s. My managers were probably some of the the smartest guys in the Rhode Island, and they were completely stoned wastoids. They even set fire to the food storage tunnel once.

The food stands themselves were a health disaster. I remember when a health inspector came in once. He made a point of looking up at the ceiling the whole time.

It always amazed me that no one ever died when I was working there.

[ChrisAnth0ny]

I miss this place so much. I went there a few times as a kid, but it closed down when I was 9 years old. I wish it was still open.

[odog65]

it sucked I wasn't able to enjoy it's last days I only got to enjoy it once last time on a visit here there in 93 or 94

the only future generations of mine enjoying it now are my unborns in the bathroom there

[jpd632]

Saw this doc. at the cable car. Great Stuff

[iloveknex]

omfg im only 14 and i never got to go there and i already miss it. it looks like so much fun or should i say looked like it. :( tears

[kenz1031]

im only 15 nd i only remember goin there once but i didnt remember how fun it was i was only a little kid

[musicbox321]

i never got to go to rocky point im only 12 now but seeing how many ppl went there must have been awsome so sad

[odog65]

I've got an Idea are ya down? wanna back me on this Hail Mary?

aw hell I can't wait for a response anyways what do we have to loose my idea would be for people to write/e-mail Palace Entertainment let them know about the park the passion the people have for it some history direct them to the tube links and anything else you can think of to add to that

[SVETV988]

i was only like 10 or 11 when this park shut down but wow so many good memories like one time when my bro had his keys fall out of his pants pocket on the wooden roller coaster ...what about the free fall what a ride that was or how about the cart ride one of the best Parks ever no doubt

[Markt5757]

Do any of you remember the batting cages in the far end of the parking lot?

[GuiltyTillUrInnocent]

Man, I wanna cry when I watch this. Rocky Point was friggin great. And of course, it closed when I moved to Warwick from Providence. Round of applause for the small group of employees who robbed that place blind.....Thanks for ruining it for everybody...pricks. BRING BACK ROCKY POINT!!!!

[hazeleyes7307]

I see you want rocky point back too please help me I know this state could do it the more emails I get the better I want to post it everywhere and get donations to open this park back it never should have even closed in the first place please get back to me

[odog65]

greed hurts everyone I wonder why people would shoot themselves in the foot like that I hope those douchebags have lost something like their next job for stealing and have it come back on them 10 times worse maybe reality will kick them in the ass on that one

[provtheproblemkid]

god i miss rocky point so bad

[Fanik1977]

0:00-:0:06. EPIC

[krelbar]

THE ENTERPRISE!!!!

[hilojack1]

I grew up in southern RI, and it was always a big deal when the folks took us to Rocky Point (early 70's to 80's). It was back when VCR's, computers, Ipods didn't exist. You had to be creative in keeping yourself occupied as a kid. But when the entertainment was all there for you, it was a dreamworld event! Rocky Point was a ball. I blame the video/computer era on the demise of places like this. Even a trip to the movies or bowling alley were big events!

[odog65]

I blame the video/computer/mainstream commercialation for the world sucking and trying to turn us into self absorbed obsessive complusive agoraphobic zombies that they want us to be by telling us why go out and live life when you can sit on your ass and have fun

I mean shit I lov online stuff too myself don't get me wrong but sometimes people forget I'm guilty too that there's a life outside cyberspace that's waiting for us to grab it and seize the day. cont >>>

[odog65]

I mean hell I wish there was something called log the F*** off and live life day. where one goes to a place like rocky point spends time with the family I mean being under the spell of technology and being addicted to it like a crack addict robs us of life and those kick ass experiences we can be having

I'm not saying we are all crack addicts of technology but all of us need to turn off the computer Ipods and stuff and enjoy a place outside your home or star*ucks

[OonaCanute]

That looks like a really interesting documentary.

[Tw1nGats]

i play the rocky point theme song on a cd in my car when im cruisin on L rides.

[silverbabygirl]

I miss Rocky Point soooo much. :( I was 12 or 13 when it closed and used to go every summer atleast once before school started every year. I just wish my son could have enjoyed it as much as i did when i was a kid.

[trannyboisam]

I was seven when they closed down Rocky Point. But every summer before that.

[FanikII]

It so sad to see Rocky Point in shammbles. I had a blast there every summer. Only wish my nephews could have experienced the same fun and joy I had when I was little. God Bless Rocky Point!!! :)

[ZeropointZero70]

pronounced Rawkey poi-ent if you're from RI. i remember the last few times i went there. the park was closed. they just used an indoor venue for rock groups. I saw Joe Walsh there in '91. No puppet show, though.

[LotionbarBunny]

I so miss Rocky Point. I had so much fun there as a kid and as a teenager.

[DennyAlbert]

Rocky Point Park and Cresent Park were the best places around!!!

[dj51793]

i went to rockypoint when i saw my aunt in westerly she took me and mi cusin it was so much fun and food was soo good i miss this park

[guitarkidd42]

actually rocky oint was closed in 1996

[saveusrecycle]

ROCKY POINT was a place that all kids dreamed about. You were lucky to go a couple times each summer. But when you did...it was AMAZING. I recall the chowder hall, the best chowda, clamcakes, watermelon, and an ice cream sandwich for desert! I loved standing by the FLUME on hot days and waiting for the water to splash me! Memories of our youth demolished. I'd love to go back. Remember the sight of the water from the large ferris wheel at night. Absolutley breathtaking!!!! Now gone :(

[CristinaSantos1986]

By the way was Rocky Point Park similar to Canobie Lake Park or Six Flags new England? I was too young to set foot in Rocky Point Park but it looked wicked cool. My mother went to Rocky Point in the early '80s which I think is still awesome. :)

[CristinaSantos1986]

Rocky Point Rocks!!!

[2BPhyxsius]

WOW at the end of the video its my birth DAY cool ITS 2 BAD BOTH PARKS WERE LET GO WHAT MEMORIES

[x0CrAzYKaTiE0x]

great video where do u get the sound what website ?

[x0CrAzYKaTiE0x]

Wow i so miss rocky Point> omg the clam cakes and chowder were so good LMAO.they should'nt of destroyed it at least keep the famouse sign that was the best memory ever

[ccg1171]

Rocky Point was good but Lincoln Park in Dartmouth Mass. was better!!

[kenz1031]

yea probably but we're in RI rocky point was the major tourist attraction in RI not MA

[ccg1171]

I liked Point but I only live about 10 minutes away from Lincoln park thats why I was there more as a kid..

[hilojack1]

I grew up in RI, so Rocky Point was the big event for me. But to be able to go to Lincoln Park and ride that big old white wooden coaster was "off the map"!! I believe it still stands, complete with the trees growing up through it, with the rail cars on the ground under it. Freaky, but great memories!

[ccg1171]

Cool, I liked it at Rocky Point, but Im in Fall river so Lincoln Park was closer. If you type up Lincoln Park on youtube someone recently put up a whole bunch of videos of Lincoln Park, they walked through it & showed it all, nice up close of the coaster & everything else, also some cool music tributes with old & new photos & scenes of the park.. Hope you check it out & find them...

[hilojack1]

I shall do that! Thank you.

[ccg1171]

No problem!! Did you see any??

[hilojack1]

Yes, I loved the one of the Comet Rollercoaster opening. The footage was unbelievably clear. I would have never thought that someone would go to those lengths back then to get such crystal clear angles. Thanks again for pointing me in that direction.

[ccg1171]

No problem, Take care :)

[annoynamous30]

too bad it was such a nice place i wish it was still open what is there now anyway

[madman4747]

The people of Rhode Island should have done everything in their power to keep Rocky Point open. Mobbed up management/ownership helped it's demise. I guess money was more important than humanity. The people of Rhode Island should have done more. It's too late now!!!

[Melissa02909]

We did. We tried everything. What a shame. I spent so many summer days there as a kid.

[Naruto4480]

wow id like to go on the log flume and that elavtor thing it looked pretty cool

[Melissa02909]

It was called the Free Fall and it's at another themepark in the country. N ot sure which one.

[tweetybird61774]

Rocky Point was and is a historical landmark.....I miss RP. I was there in the summer of 95..thats the last time i went there....I wonder what it would take to bring the park back to life....... I would love to see that happen....the park has been around since the 1840's...

Why did it have to close ....I dont believe that they went bankrupt...i think it had alot to do with the all mighty dollar....

[newburycomics]

do you know how much business they would get if it was still around all the kids would be there everyday in the summer it would be more packed than the beaches stupid people that run the state they would be making more on this than Twin River and it wouldnt be going bankrupt like Twin river is

[starchild34]

I'm with the several posts on here reminiscing about Rocky Point. I went there several times from early childhood until my late teens....wonderful place! My sister and I both saw the documentary and it did bring tears. RIP Rocky Point :(

[HeartlessLink7]

I remember Rocky Point. I was so little when I went. About 7 or 8, my memories of it are very limited, but I remember it was like nothing I've ever done before. The clearest memory in my mind was being there and eating clam cakes with my cousins and for some reason I remember water and fireworks. I miss this place like nobody's business.

[crazo9999]

Wow, I miss RockyPoint. Hmm what a place. We used to drive around a few times to check out the crowd on FRI and SAT nights. The haunted house fat lady was covered in spit but that didn't deter us from hopping out of the car and pulling it to a stop so we could make out with our girlfriends. If you rode in the front car of the flume and ducked on the last plunge the person in back would get soaked. Always a super long long for the bumper cars. Ever Jump off the Skydiver at the turnaround?

[ScorpionCub]

Boy do i ever remember not only going to Rocky Point as a Kid but also it was my first job. Working in the Shore Dinner Hall was a Blast getting to see the smiles of families eating a good New England Meal...... 1/2 Chicken, Clam cakes, Lobsters, Steamers, And the Best part of it All THE WATERMELON....... RP THANKS FOR MY FIRST JOB IN LIFE I will always remember my time there.

[gadfly1975]

Yes, Rockt Point, very sadly lamented - I wish I could take my daughter to it; as a young person I had many a great time there;

but, sometimes when something makes too much sense or when it's too much fun, some gremlin has to fuck up the works. Gotta see the movie. For those of you who miss the park, don't feel alone, I am right there with you, for whatever that might be worth.

[francothemythical]

so many fond memories there .. its truly missed

[mudkiprules2]

nooo why did they close it i dident even get to go there =( my mom and dad did

[satyr72]

it could have been saved if managed right. I thought originally they were going to keep the property for the people and not make it private. Guess not. Thanks Langevin...

I wish there were some videos on the horror house though.

[wkndsquire]

Piss-poor management wasn't the only thing that led to RP's demise. Even managed properly, high liability insurance would have made it impossible to remain open. The admission prices or concession prices would have had to skyrocket. So much so that most people would have taken the "I ain't paying that" attitude. As with most things, it's time had come to pass.

[PYRAMIDALIZEE]

The fuks that run this state should bow their heads in fuking shame, or not helping resurrect this monumental masterpiece and keep in going. but nooooooooo, they support the fuks at TWIN RIVER and would rather suck money in from this supposed non gambling casino for their own greed and fuk the kids of Rhode Island. go head greedy fuks, build your condos on our playground

[starchild34]

Oh the memories of Rocky Point when I was a kid....great times. These days I do enjoy Six Flags, but they suck your wallet dry and they serve over priced shitty food. RP chowder and clam cakes....I could weep right now just remembering how good it was. Rocky Point in general is one of my fondest memories as a child, I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for the movie....I must see it! RIP Rocky Point :(

[moveitgirl21]

I went to a camp called SMARTS and the director of this movie was one of my teachers, he's wicked funny! oh yea and I got to see a part of the movie before it came out!

[shinbey123]

lucky u downvan. i didn't get to ride any of them rides. now we have to travelk to like far away amusement parks like six flags and stuff.

[downvan77]

The best times in my life were had here in my 70's youth and 80's teen years.I feel bad for kids today, they got shit to do for fun around here! When I was a kid there was jolly cholly's,lincoln park,crescent park, and rocky point. I can't imagine not having had that when I was a kid.

[speedinjection]

Damn all the great times at rocky point cresent park lincoln park all gone...i have never been to 6 flags but i,m sure its not the same and the prices are thru the roof like everything in ri and mass now...why dosent someone build a park like this again?!

[sliv812]

I guess you can partly blame technology. With the popularity of the internet and home video games with most of the kids these days (not to mention DVDs and all the channel choices on cable/satellite TV), it would be very tough for a small amusement park to attract enough patrons to stay in business. Not to mention that the cost of building such a park these days would be sky high. Just my opinion though; I've never studied it in depth.

[sliv812]

That being said, I would also love for someone to actually build a park like this in RI today. I have fond memories of going to both Rocky Point and Crescent Park as a child. But I just don't see it happening.

[somecallmeflea]

by far one of the better films I've seen this year!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[sliv812]

I really wanna see this film. I have fond memories of going to Rocky Point Park with the family when I was a kid.

[she31462]

I just got back from seeing the movie, and let me tell you - what a *great* trip down memory lane it was! Can't wait to get the DVD, and thanks to David and Co. for letting RP live on through your wonderful film.

And w00t for Neutral Nation's appearance in the movie, as well as the inclusion of their infamous RP cover, of course! I was in NN's circle back in the day, and I always got a huge kick out of the response that song got at their shows. Fun times for sure!

Sheila

[psycotoaster]

I stumbled across this today doing research for another project - wow! the memories you brought back... To make it even better, I remember when the Stadium Theater in Woonsocket used to show XXX films - (not that I ever went there ;-) )

Anyway, I wish I still lived up there as I would certainly be at the premier tonight. Can't wait to get a copy of this on DVD - It will be great to show my family what life in New England was all about!

[markoshop]

GOD BLESS MRS LEAKE!!!I worked 1983-1989 with her in the REDEMPTION CENTER..The crew was David,John G,Mike,Wilson,John D and me Mark.Many,many stories!!Also miss Kenny,Pat,Charlie,Conrad,Craig­,Poncho,and David.. Is there any way to contact MRS LEAKE?? THANK YOU!!!MARK

[poppinjaye]

Is there a way to get a copy of the cover of the commercial song? That rocks!!!

[rockypointmovie]

It's available on iTunes! Search for "Neutral Nation" they are the band doing the cover. They are also featured in the movie (and are a really fun band!).

[poppinjaye]

Thanks! Do you have a mailing list for the movie release? My email address is just my username here at gmail. My sister and I would come from Albany to see it.

[poppinjaye]

I really want to see this. I started crying watching the trailer! I love the remake of the commercial song--my sister and I still sing that when summer is coming (hearing that commercial was a sure sign school would be out soon. It's like it wasn't officially summer until we heard it). All my friends (and my sister) worked there at some point. Damn I miss that place.

[AndrewMendillo]

Good Luck Dave! I will be there for the release.

[vorgon303]

My first job was a bus boy at the shore dinner hall in 1983-1989. I will never forget those pink walls inside. We would "empty" the beer pitchers behind the dishwasher, Ha ha. I remember Julio,Armando,Conrad, Sandy,and "DOODOO" Mike Tolento...Everybody knew it was lunchtime when they called CHOW! Man do I miss those clam cakes..Also I was a dishwasher at the Paladium..Even on Saturday mornings during the winter. Jon....

[bryanbrunelle]

I CANT WAIT TO SEE THIS!

[Hotsoop2]

Will this video be for sale in it's entirety when it is out in Sept?

[rockypointmovie]

We will be doing a theatrical run in September/October followed by various film festival screenings around the country. Look for the DVD to be released as a 2 Disc set with an enormous amount of extras (slideshows, home movies, extended interviews, you name it...) in 2008. The soundtrack album for the film we be released simultaneously with the theatrical run.

[Hotsoop2]

Will it be possible to get stills also?

[Hotsoop2]

It is NUTS that this park was left like this for ten years! I lived in RI from 69 to 89 and had no idea that this was the fate of Rocky Point.

There are virtually no souviners listed on ebay or anywhere else from R.P. What happened to things from the Shore Diner hall for example? There must have been hundreds of chowder buckets and ladels and dishes etc. Please don't tell me they are all still in the building!? Does anyone know?

[w29w]

Sold, auctioned off...

[Hotsoop2]

Did they tear down the Shore Dinner Hall and the Windjammer and the Palladium? Have heard conflicting reports on these buildings.

[w29w]

I don't think so.

However the buildings were in bad shape, the roofs leaked for years. The Shore Dinner could probably be saved, at least the main building.

The rest of the park has been leveled by ordinance of the City.

The City of Warwick is planning to purchase 41 acres for opens spaces. The deal is the process of closing.

Check out the Movie trailer about RPP.

[pruenca1990]

I grew up with Rocky Point every summer. I miss it and not being able to bring my children there.

[msherm0352]

I worked at the park for 5 summers, and those summers were some of the best times of my life!! Good luck with the film.

[jeffpgagnon]

I live in San Francisco, and a friend from Arizona sent me this video last week ... and to my shock, the black/white photo at the begining of a dad/daughter in a roller coaster car is my father and sister. And we have no idea how that photo was added to this video. Very SMALL WORLD!

[jasperade]

summer 1975 my brother two friends and myself went to rockypoint to apply for a summer job. while there a film crew was filming a commercial and we were asked to be extras! in return we could ride the rides all day for free. long story short we were the opening shot on that tv commercial for the next 5 years!

[kirbyfan0000]

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!­

[playmeri]

I miss Rocky Point so much. My kids have nothing here in RI to enjoy anymore.

[meeka313]

This film brings tears to my eyes. Brought back so many wonderful memories as a child, teen and adult going to Rocky Point. That was the best part of growing up in RI!

Now I feel like having some chowder and clam cakes!!

[tgfts1]

I'm a former RI'er, and Rocky Point was a highlight of my youth. Good luck with the film! Can't wait to see it.

[gustogummidirector]

GREAT Video and I CANNOT WAIT Till the movie comes out!!!

[nickki21681]

I remember Rocky point and still miss it to this day. It's a shame that my future children will never know the joy of Rocky Point.