Shadow Creek Amusement Park

[Nitro230]

Shadow Creek, located in Reading Pennsylvania, has claimed itself as the "Worlds Best Picnic Park" since the 1920's. It originally opened as a small picnic park in the late 1800's and has survived the great depression, two world wars, television, and many ownership changes. One thing that has never changed about Shadow Creek is it's charm, with many old school attractions such as its classic PTC woodie from the 40's, Bandit, more on this to come later.

The oldest attraction currently in the park is the Grand Carousel. Built during the 1890's it has been located at many different spots during the park but it has been located here at the front of the park since 1933 when the current cover was constructed. 

Right next to it you can find the classic Shadow Creek Railroad. The original railroad was built in the 20's but when the park was being overhauled in the 1960's to try and compete with the newer styled theme parks a larger, more lifelike, train was constructed along with a brand-new station at the front of the park.

The statue placed in front of the railroad station is dedicated to Sir. Edward Reginald, the parks founder. He owned the local trolley company and started Shadow Creek as an attraction to put on his trolley line. While the trolleys are no longer Reginald's impact on the community lasts to this day through Shadow Creek. His grandnephew would later move out west years after the park was sold and begin a park of his own, the iconic NoNameLandia.

These two buildings are located just past the railroad crossing after the main entrance and have been an important part of the start to a guest's day at Shadow Creek for decades.

Stay tuned as we continue our tour through Shadow Creek Amusement Park!

[Kablary]

For a park name that sounds as ominous as "Shadow Creek," it sure is beautifully lit at night!

Edited June 4, 2023 by OldBones

[wolfpaw]

Have to agree, the lighting looks really beautiful at night - also love that station idea you have in the third picture!

[Wabigbear]

I love the fact that you stated that this started out as a very small picnic park and it really reflects that.  Often someone will say their park had very small basic beginnings but what they show doesn't reflect that at all.  The structures are charming and perfectly scaled...love the Carousel House.  And like everyone is saying, the night-time lighting is very well done!

[Nitro230]

23 hours ago, OldBones said:

For a park name that sounds as ominous as "Shadow Creek," it sure is beautifully lit at night!

Thank you so much! Mike Sheets's lighting video taught me everything I know lol. As for the name, in the original Shadow Creek it was completely unintentional (this is the second attempt) but this time around the legend of Shadow Creek will be explained in an upcoming ride......

7 hours ago, wolfpaw said:

Have to agree, the lighting looks really beautiful at night - also love that station idea you have in the third picture!

Thank you as well, the station is very heavily inspired by Kennywood's and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

6 hours ago, Wabigbear said:

I love the fact that you stated that this started out as a very small picnic park and it really reflects that.  Often someone will say their park had very small basic beginnings but what they show doesn't reflect that at all.  The structures are charming and perfectly scaled...love the Carousel House.  And like everyone is saying, the night-time lighting is very well done!

I really do try pride myself in the old school americana charm with my parks, as well as the budget these parks have. Of course, the entire park won't be in this style because it would have to expand in order to survive but there is going to be a lot more of this style definitely. 

[Nitro230]

This update is not nearly as exciting as the last but it still came out very well.

First off, the only new structure in this update are the restrooms across from the carousel, as the park expanded it would have definitely needed more of these. This probably would have been added sometime in the 90s with an effort to try and have it blend in with the existing area. Hence why the lighting is a little brighter on this building than the previous two. 

I also couldn't resist myself and put in one of fisherman's awesome stands, this is the root beer one obviously. I felt like it fit the vibe and would work well as a small place to serve refreshments at the front of the park. Although there will be a more permanent place to get root beer later on as it is a Shadow Creek specialty.


 

[Nitro230]

Here is a little overview of everything in the park currently in case you were wondering where everything is situated.

[Nitro230]

And then finally because file size is not on my side, here is (hopefully) a working video of the carousel with its music which has been playing since the 1930's.

2023-06-04 21-10-19.mkv

That is all for now! 

I'll hopefully be back on Friday with more!

[wolfpaw]

Very nice work! It's a solid foundation, can't wait to see how it unfolds. Also side note, if you want to embed videos, you can upload your file to YouTube or Vimeo and paste the link in a post and it'll automatically embed so people don't have to download the video file 

[Nitro230]

let the teAsing begin for the first coasteR in the park I will be showing! the legend of shadow cReek will be revealed! so time tO let the guessing game begin! I'm having a fiend come in and build it for me while i am aWay.

any guesses as to what it could be?

 

Edited June 8, 2023 by Nitro230

[wolfpaw]

I think I cracked the code but don't want to spoil it for others 

Can't wait to see it!

[Nitro230]

Lets take a break from the next coaster and focus on the next park icon, the root beer stand. Constructed back in 1933, the stand has sold many things, but for the last 40 years its sold Shadow Creek’s famous root beer. Here are some day and night pictures.

(Building was actually made by a friend for the original Shadow Creek but it never found a home. He has a YouTube channel https://m.youtube.com/@MrMoose-oo9nx where he is building a Magic Kingdom type park in Planet Coaster if you want to go check it out.)

[wolfpaw]

That stand looks fun, almost like a cake  Love your pathwork though!

[Nitro230]

On 6/9/2023 at 9:51 PM, wolfpaw said:

That stand looks fun, almost like a cake  Love your pathwork though!

Lol it kinda does, its based off the Lucky Stand in Kennywood. 

[Nitro230]

Well this week we have two fairly large additions.

first we got everyone’s morning stop, Starbucks. Originally it was a carnival stand, but it has since been renovated into a place to grab that first (or fourth) cup of coffee.

Next we have the wave swinger, the parks chair swing ride, located just across from the root beer stand.

Here’s a small overview of everything in the area (just ignore the giant wooden structure in the back). I’ll be back next week with more!

[Plokoon111]

Looks great! Enjoying this so far.

[wolfpaw]

Your park is so colorful so far, really cool to see how it progresses and comes together!

[Nitro230]

On 6/13/2023 at 2:26 PM, wolfpaw said:

Your park is so colorful so far, really cool to see how it progresses and comes together!

Thank you so much, that’s definitely something I try to keep in mind when building this park. Kennywood, my inspiration park, has been going all across the park renovating and repainting everything. Want this park to almost feel the same way.

[Nitro230]

Well sorry this update took a little longer than usual. Lots of family events got in the way and I had no time to play planco.

Just a small update this time. A new restaurant has been added to the park. Chickie’s and Pete’s is an iconic and well known eastern PA restaurant chain. Most known for their crabfries (crinkle fries with old bay seasoning served with an amazing cheese sauce) and cheesesteaks. I built the signs about a year ago using tmtk beams, they’re up on my workshop but are super piece heavy. The building itself is definitely a newer build, probably from the early 2000’s. Super happy with it.

I’m going to be away for a few weeks, on a midwestern trip that’ll include Cedar Point! Safe to say when I get back my inspiration will be at an all time high. Until then a friend of mine has taken the park file to build an Arrow Dynamics Suspended Coaster! Stay tuned for that.

[wolfpaw]

LOVE that Chickie's & Pete's restaurant you have there! It's amazing what just a simple sign can do to a building. Can't wait to see what you make when you're back! Also CEDAR POINT, super jelly.

[Bylateral]

Love how cozy and realistic this park looks so far. All the stalls/small buildings you have turned out so well, definitely taking some inspiration here. A lot of things look simple but when I take a closer look I can tell are super detailed. Like, did you build a bush out of lily pads in that most recent pic?!

 

Looking forward to more updates on this park!

 

 

[Plokoon111]

Wow, your making me hungry for some crab fries haha! Looking good, very realistic! 

[Nitro230]

Just a little teaser for the next update……

[citytrader]

Chickies and Petes looks fantastic! Dutch kitchen is cute, and I like how you built it out, but I guess I was expecting a building with more of a Dutch Colonial flair to it.

Would love a better look at the candy shop with the striped roof.

[Gin]

I've seen so many people's creations, yet it never ceases to amaze me the ingenuity and creativity of the work people continue to create. 

I really like how you built that restaurant! 

I'm really excited to see your next update.