They tear down everything thats historical and classic which makes me mad. Three Rivers stadium was painful as well to be torn down and was a nice stadium. One day all these people will regret they ever tore down everything that had tons of memorys.
They tear down everything thats historical and classic which makes me mad. Three Rivers stadium was painful as well to be torn down and was a nice stadium. One day all these people will regret they ever tore down everything that had tons of memorys.
My parents went here on dates in 1975-1977 and told alot of good storys of this park. This park looks much better then kennywood and the dipps looked real fun which they said they were. Looks like a much better park then Kennywood in my opinion but i prefer old fashion stuff is maybe why. A shame they tore it down for crappy strip mall. Wish i could of experienced this was born in 83 if only i was born 8 to 10 years earlier. I rememer White Swan Park as well which is a shame they tore down in 89
I loved West View Park. It was the highlight of our school picnics and summers I just remember the excitement of going there with my family and friends, the food my mom made , my dad and mom selecting the shelter, also very important, from the time I was 7 yrs old to 16 yrs. Just glee and innocent fun! I miss that feeling.
I am grateful for the videos, and will always love my hometown of Pittsburgh.
....(continued) along the trolly tracks for many years. We would Ice Skate on the lake in the winter time and boats were once on the lake in the summer. After the park closed for the season, we would sled ride from the back parking lot hill down through the arch of the dips. There were also bands that played there, although I don't remember the names I would have swore the english group was the rolling stones....LOL!!! THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES WEST VIEW PARK!Thank you 8270laneman :)
........ (continued) After the park closed, he became a priest. He has since passed away. I wish I had thought to take pictures back then. I remember watching Dance Land burn down from the top of the "City Steps" in my PJs with the rest of the neighborhood kids. I want to thank you for these videos, because now I can show my kids "my backyard" growing up. yes now there is a plaza that can't seem to keep anything but a dollar store and Giant Eagle a float! By the way the PAT bus line ran..
I grew up between the 2nd and 3rd hill of the dips. I woke every summer morning to the test runs of the dips and train, which would blow its whistle right at the foot of the hill. Many people (kids mostly) would cut through our yard to get to the park. They would even jump off the train to go up our hill. When I was young before the park opened for the season I would hang out and help scrape the paint off the concession stands to be painted again. Mr Hickey over saw the operations.....
Oddly enough, the Dunkin Donuts that appears in the video closed for many years.. a couple of different businesses held that spot throughout the years including an Italian Ice stand and a check cashing establishment... what do you think just re-opened at that same site? A new DUNKIN DONUTS! (Too bad we can't turn the clock back farther and get the park back!)
While West View's demise can certainly be blamed on other parks expanding, the park was also grossly mismanaged towards the end. Some have even theorized that the owners simply stopped caring, and in the process, accelerated the park's closing.
I googled defunct amusement parks in Pennsylvania and found that there are almost 200 parks that have gone by the wayside. Perhaps there were so many becuase the rides were made in Philadelphia. Thanks for sharing this one.
What a great documentary. Hopefully, some park will resurect The Dips. It is possible, just look at what Kenobels did when they rebuilt Mr Twister with a few tweaks to fit it into their available land.
Me and the family were in the park on the last day of operations. What a sad day it was. We spent the last hour on the Racing whippets and Dips and then on the last trains to run on Whippets. I remember after the genral public left for that last day they kept some of the rides open, there was some memorable rides on the Flying Skooters.
As for the question why did the park close, simple the families with kids didnt feel it was safe. Then throw in the fact they didnt spend any money for upkeep.
When I went to Nativity catholic school 1957-1965 we went to West View park every year in early June. I liked the miniature golf the best. I have fond memories of my widowed Mother bringing tons of food out to the park after working hard all day and providing us with a wonderful picnic. We had great fun there but it had its own drama as well. Everything human does and of course, nothing lasts forever.
This is a very sad video. The closest I've ever been to the inside of an amusement park after it had closed was winter at White Swan Park. It was eerie seeing everything closed and the weeds growing. If I were still in Pgh., I would love to meet the people who rode the Kiddie Dips. I wonder if they realize that they are probably the last people to ever ride the Kiddie Dips. I'm jealous. There seems to be little about WVP on the web And you helped to fill the gap. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
What wonderful movies..and memories. I like many others have happy memories of picnics at West View Park. . We would get there on the street car and have a picnic lunch my mom prepared for us ..in one of the shelters on the top area. My dad always let me have a pony ride!
I often tried to remember in my head..details of that park. Thank you for helping me - see it again.
I have a newspaper from when it closed with photos. My siblings will love this too.
Great memories of riding the trolley to the park with my Mom, brother and other relatives (the Dad's would join us after work)...Eating a packed dinner (sat out all day and none of us got sick!!)...How about the wrestling matches they use to have - Chief White Owl; Jumping Johnny DeFazio; Crazy Luke?!! Stories from our parents about meeting at Danceland...What a great time to grow up!!
When I was a kid in the 60's, early 70's, my Aunt used to take me & her friend & the friend's daughter, to Westview Park. She'd get free passes because she had worked at Mellon Bank. I have such wonderful, happy memories of that happy place. When I was 18 in the summer of '77, my friend & I went to Westview one last time to see England Dan& John Ford Coley perform on stage. I knew that would be my last time there for it was closing soon. Thanks for taking me back to such a special times. :-(
About 10 yrs ago I was visiting a friend from work (too young to have experienced it) and she had some videos to return. She pulled into this mini-mall with the West View Park Shopping Center sign and I was devastated! I had known for decades that it was closed, but I never knew where the park was located, nor that it had been turned into a mini-mall (a crappy one, at that) and was not prepared for that shock.
"If only it meant as much to us then as it does now..."
Oh, DAYUM!!! That is the saddest thing I have ever watched! When I was little West View and Kennywood were interchangeable for me and my cousins. At the time I hadn't even known it was closed. I don't know how long it had been closed, but I asked my mom why we never went there anymore and she said it had closed. I wasn't even 10 when it closed, but now that I think about it, it wasn't that crowed, which was great for me to ride as much as I wanted, but not so great for business.
My Children found this for me this past Holiday season because I used to show them pictures of this place and my childhood..Hard not to cry watching this thanks so much for posting this it's great and I book marked this for me.
I lived about a block from West View Park and lots of friends and brothers worked there , I was there the day the park closed and I cried my heart out !! and that scene where he was with snow on the ground I was there also you will see a small machine in front of the stand it was put there to tear down the buildings !! I also have a good friend who has 2 of the antique cars , which still run today !! many memories ,close your eyes and you will and listen and you will hear the sounds..1977 closed
That was an Amazing piece of filmwork . I never knew WestView Park as an amusement park but heard stories. I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70's and as you indicated spent all my picnics at Kennywood!!
I've gotten this video from the library a couple times. Not sure if it's available for purchase, though.
coreythomas862009 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
They tear down everything thats historical and classic which makes me mad. Three Rivers stadium was painful as well to be torn down and was a nice stadium. One day all these people will regret they ever tore down everything that had tons of memorys.
jh15116 1 year ago
They tear down everything thats historical and classic which makes me mad. Three Rivers stadium was painful as well to be torn down and was a nice stadium. One day all these people will regret they ever tore down everything that had tons of memorys.
jh15116 1 year ago
My parents went here on dates in 1975-1977 and told alot of good storys of this park. This park looks much better then kennywood and the dipps looked real fun which they said they were. Looks like a much better park then Kennywood in my opinion but i prefer old fashion stuff is maybe why. A shame they tore it down for crappy strip mall. Wish i could of experienced this was born in 83 if only i was born 8 to 10 years earlier. I rememer White Swan Park as well which is a shame they tore down in 89
jh15116 1 year ago
Is there anyway that I can buy a copy of this West View Park video? Parts 1 & 2. What great memories. Thanks for the memories, West View Park.
PghBoy28 1 year ago
I loved West View Park. It was the highlight of our school picnics and summers I just remember the excitement of going there with my family and friends, the food my mom made , my dad and mom selecting the shelter, also very important, from the time I was 7 yrs old to 16 yrs. Just glee and innocent fun! I miss that feeling.
I am grateful for the videos, and will always love my hometown of Pittsburgh.
proudgram61 1 year ago
....(continued) along the trolly tracks for many years. We would Ice Skate on the lake in the winter time and boats were once on the lake in the summer. After the park closed for the season, we would sled ride from the back parking lot hill down through the arch of the dips. There were also bands that played there, although I don't remember the names I would have swore the english group was the rolling stones....LOL!!! THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT MEMORIES WEST VIEW PARK!Thank you 8270laneman :)
diane15042q 1 year ago
........ (continued) After the park closed, he became a priest. He has since passed away. I wish I had thought to take pictures back then. I remember watching Dance Land burn down from the top of the "City Steps" in my PJs with the rest of the neighborhood kids. I want to thank you for these videos, because now I can show my kids "my backyard" growing up. yes now there is a plaza that can't seem to keep anything but a dollar store and Giant Eagle a float! By the way the PAT bus line ran..
diane15042q 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
I grew up between the 2nd and 3rd hill of the dips. I woke every summer morning to the test runs of the dips and train, which would blow its whistle right at the foot of the hill. Many people (kids mostly) would cut through our yard to get to the park. They would even jump off the train to go up our hill. When I was young before the park opened for the season I would hang out and help scrape the paint off the concession stands to be painted again. Mr Hickey over saw the operations.....
diane15042q 1 year ago
Comment removed
diane15042q 1 year ago
Oddly enough, the Dunkin Donuts that appears in the video closed for many years.. a couple of different businesses held that spot throughout the years including an Italian Ice stand and a check cashing establishment... what do you think just re-opened at that same site? A new DUNKIN DONUTS! (Too bad we can't turn the clock back farther and get the park back!)
Chooch249 1 year ago
While West View's demise can certainly be blamed on other parks expanding, the park was also grossly mismanaged towards the end. Some have even theorized that the owners simply stopped caring, and in the process, accelerated the park's closing.
trilogypart3 1 year ago
I googled defunct amusement parks in Pennsylvania and found that there are almost 200 parks that have gone by the wayside. Perhaps there were so many becuase the rides were made in Philadelphia. Thanks for sharing this one.
jdeekmon 1 year ago
What a great documentary. Hopefully, some park will resurect The Dips. It is possible, just look at what Kenobels did when they rebuilt Mr Twister with a few tweaks to fit it into their available land.
woodencoasterfan 1 year ago
Glad everyone is enjoying this...
Still miss the place to this day. :(
8270laneman 1 year ago
Me and the family were in the park on the last day of operations. What a sad day it was. We spent the last hour on the Racing whippets and Dips and then on the last trains to run on Whippets. I remember after the genral public left for that last day they kept some of the rides open, there was some memorable rides on the Flying Skooters.
As for the question why did the park close, simple the families with kids didnt feel it was safe. Then throw in the fact they didnt spend any money for upkeep.
bmar131 1 year ago
When I went to Nativity catholic school 1957-1965 we went to West View park every year in early June. I liked the miniature golf the best. I have fond memories of my widowed Mother bringing tons of food out to the park after working hard all day and providing us with a wonderful picnic. We had great fun there but it had its own drama as well. Everything human does and of course, nothing lasts forever.
lancer89032 2 years ago
This is a very sad video. The closest I've ever been to the inside of an amusement park after it had closed was winter at White Swan Park. It was eerie seeing everything closed and the weeds growing. If I were still in Pgh., I would love to meet the people who rode the Kiddie Dips. I wonder if they realize that they are probably the last people to ever ride the Kiddie Dips. I'm jealous. There seems to be little about WVP on the web And you helped to fill the gap. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
joewillerols 2 years ago
Danceland was the scene of many a night of adolescent angst when I was a young fellow there in the late 60's.
AnCraobh 2 years ago
They should have made the former park a green space for the community rather than turning it into an ugly shopping plaza.... gahhh..
jhn128 2 years ago
West View Park Shopping Center is the worst. Should of stayed a park!!!!!!!
Mike8291 2 years ago
I've never got to visit West View, was it located in the North Hills?
neurodistortion 2 years ago
What wonderful movies..and memories. I like many others have happy memories of picnics at West View Park. . We would get there on the street car and have a picnic lunch my mom prepared for us ..in one of the shelters on the top area. My dad always let me have a pony ride!
I often tried to remember in my head..details of that park. Thank you for helping me - see it again.
I have a newspaper from when it closed with photos. My siblings will love this too.
Thanks for the memories.
Ahmashell 2 years ago
My mom said the reason it closed is because the person who sold it was greedy and wanted the money...is that true?
jen832 2 years ago
Great memories of riding the trolley to the park with my Mom, brother and other relatives (the Dad's would join us after work)...Eating a packed dinner (sat out all day and none of us got sick!!)...How about the wrestling matches they use to have - Chief White Owl; Jumping Johnny DeFazio; Crazy Luke?!! Stories from our parents about meeting at Danceland...What a great time to grow up!!
sportsmommy33 2 years ago
When I was a kid in the 60's, early 70's, my Aunt used to take me & her friend & the friend's daughter, to Westview Park. She'd get free passes because she had worked at Mellon Bank. I have such wonderful, happy memories of that happy place. When I was 18 in the summer of '77, my friend & I went to Westview one last time to see England Dan& John Ford Coley perform on stage. I knew that would be my last time there for it was closing soon. Thanks for taking me back to such a special times. :-(
winscott9601 2 years ago
Im glad you all have enjoyed it.
Please keep the comments coming.
8270laneman 2 years ago
An amazing video. Thank you so much for posting! If only you'd have let that last sentence be included in its entirety.
PacmanRandomNo 2 years ago
I remember going to Danceland a couple of times. Sad.........
familybc146 2 years ago
About 10 yrs ago I was visiting a friend from work (too young to have experienced it) and she had some videos to return. She pulled into this mini-mall with the West View Park Shopping Center sign and I was devastated! I had known for decades that it was closed, but I never knew where the park was located, nor that it had been turned into a mini-mall (a crappy one, at that) and was not prepared for that shock.
"If only it meant as much to us then as it does now..."
IT DID!!! *sniff*
pepsiprincess 2 years ago 3
Oh, DAYUM!!! That is the saddest thing I have ever watched! When I was little West View and Kennywood were interchangeable for me and my cousins. At the time I hadn't even known it was closed. I don't know how long it had been closed, but I asked my mom why we never went there anymore and she said it had closed. I wasn't even 10 when it closed, but now that I think about it, it wasn't that crowed, which was great for me to ride as much as I wanted, but not so great for business.
pepsiprincess 2 years ago
Yw :)
8270laneman 3 years ago
My Children found this for me this past Holiday season because I used to show them pictures of this place and my childhood..Hard not to cry watching this thanks so much for posting this it's great and I book marked this for me.
dkrisek 3 years ago
I lived about a block from West View Park and lots of friends and brothers worked there , I was there the day the park closed and I cried my heart out !! and that scene where he was with snow on the ground I was there also you will see a small machine in front of the stand it was put there to tear down the buildings !! I also have a good friend who has 2 of the antique cars , which still run today !! many memories ,close your eyes and you will and listen and you will hear the sounds..1977 closed
nytterepos247 2 years ago
Your welcome,glad you enjoyed it :)
8270laneman 3 years ago
That was an Amazing piece of filmwork . I never knew WestView Park as an amusement park but heard stories. I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 70's and as you indicated spent all my picnics at Kennywood!!
BIGCHILL3993 3 years ago
What treasure.. this video is. Thanks for posting it.
CptJamestKirk1 3 years ago