Mist

Wow... i really like this shot

I can almost imagine some large reptillian monster living in the structure gliding out through the water to devour an unwary swimmer.

that's pretty

Beautiful

Where's Little Toot?!!

I went here a couple of times back in the 70's. That hill had a couple of long metal slides and wierd little vigniets in these little alcoves on the stairs up to the top. I remember one was Alladin and his magic lamp. I had no idea this place closed down.

I've seen certainly hundreds, if not thousands, of photos of the
Enchanted Forest, and taken a few myself... these are the most evocative. Thanks, and congratulations.

Serene!A place to allow the imagination to relax and float!I love it!

I dont really like this shot, there is something about it that bothers me. I dont know what it is though.

I remember as a child going down that medal slide with a peice of wax paper to go as fast as we could. I love this photo...good job.

People have also remembered that wax paper was a good thing to use to protect your butt from the heat.
The slide could get REALLY HOT!
I remember that! LOL!
I wish we had known about the wax paper trick when I went in 1967 : )

This brings back MAD memories. My parents used to go here when they were kids and it was actually the first "integrated amusement park", even before Disney World! The last time I was taken here was in the late 80's and the place was starting to deteriorate....there was even a homeless man sleeping on a picnic table. It was bought by some company and was promised to be re-opened but that was YEARS ago. Now there is an old man who has taken a lot of the amusements from the park and has put them on his little farm for people to see....he has a website, but I'm not sure what the name of it is...? I drove by it recently and the same creepy sign is still there with the gingerbread men staring through the old fences...I'd like to walk in for myself some day.

i just want to thank you for sharing all your picture's. i sure do love the pass and what they were all about. it's people like you that keeps people like me intrested. thank you so much.

I have read that the bathrooms at the EF were segregated at first, but you are right, it was one of the first parks to be non-segregated for it's time. When King Cole welcomed all through that entrance, he really did mean one and all.
I saw a blog sight where a woman remembers that as a child for a school trip, was going to an amusement park in that area. The class was told that three of them would not be going, but would go to the EF. The child questioned this with her father, and he explained it was because of their color. She found the reason quite ignorant. It shaped her personality at such an early age. I'm sure that she was not the only child to question the reasons for segregation at those times. To rebel from its beliefs and to question why. Not only did this park inspire children to read, it is very possible that the original owners who created the EF, had no idea that it might also become the first lesson that taught children what segregation and non-segregation meant. The original owners sold it to someone who promised to keep it running. That promise was broken. Today is the results of that first agreement. Businesses have taken over much of the land where the EF once stood. Alice's tunnel caving in, destroyed forever and much more. The park has been stripped clean of it's figures. The company who owns it now, is only interested in the retail shops. Due to ownership, vandalism,and unsafe property, Kimco, the currant owners, have a no trespassing sign up, and have been kind enough to let Clark's Elioak Farm, relocate everything they can at the farm's expense. http://www.clarklandfa...CHANTED%20FOREST.htm. They hope to recreate over time many of the figures that have been stolen, sold, or destroyed. To relocate whatever structures they can afford. Photographs and videos of people spending time at the Enchanted Forest while it was open, is what is helping the farm with it's artists and volunteers, keep a little bit of the EF alive. Please consider letting the farm copy your photos and/or videos, so that a new generation can enjoy the creativity that the EF was known for.

This foggy, unfocused sight is frightenlingly just how I remember it

I went here as a child in the late 50's and early 60's. Thanks for all the memories! I remember my Super Granny sliding down this slide. I will try to send some pictures that my parents have. Thanks again!

This ride used to be called Pompei after Pompei Italy where the volcano exploded. When I went as a kid back in 1987 it was always closed for reconstruction so I have never been on it first hand but you were suppose to be able to see the volcano explode

Hi, Sad for childhood ~
This is from a closed nursery rhyme and fairytale theme park. This is a picture of Mt. Vesuvius which you would walk up and then slide down a 65 foot slide.
I think there was also a diorama of Aladdin and a genie in a lamp that you would see as you walked up it.
The boat known as Little Toot would ride people around and through that tunnel in the mountain. (This boat wound up in a private collection, and is going to be donated to Clark's farm, who is trying to save as much of this park as possible for future generations. They just need to get something to bring the boat over in. But at least it has been saved! : )

So maybe the ride that you're remembering is still around. Unfortunately, for this place, this is one mountain that will never be climbed again as an opened attraction. : (

Yep I live 10 min down the road from it . I remember all these rides when I was a kid. I remember there was suppose to be a boat that would take you that way but it was always closed. I would always take my ask my parents to ask the "tour guide" of the sarafi ride they had when it would finally be open. The Alladin ride was cool but the Alice tea cup ride was the best I made my mom at the time ride it 10 times in one day just to go through the colored cave. I get a little sad when ever I see the movie Cry Baby now

Sad for childhood~ For those of us who loved this place, it has been very bittersweet to think it will never open again on this soil. But Clark's Elioak Farm is trying to save and relocate as many as they can, so these structures and figures can be enjoyed once again.The boat you speak of has JUST been delivered to the farm. It won't ride people around, but it can now be seen. The farm also sells a d.v.d of the last day the original owners had the EF. You might want to go to the farm and check it out. I think they have it playing on a constant basis. Part of that money goes towards the relocation efforts.

Great info and pics, Ladyhawke. It's good to know at least some people care about what happens to at least some of these structures.

You're welcome for the info, Nance! : )
You're right! A big thanks to Motts and his beautiful photography!
Even through the decay and overgrowth his eyes were able to capture places in this enchanted forest that will always be close to my heart.
Such a beautiful place!
Unfortunately, it was stripped of pretty much of all of it's creative fairytale and nursery rhyme figures when it was sold the second time.
Some were destroyed, or stolen while the place was left to just rot when it first closed years ago. All figures the figures are gone.
Many figures AND structures (the chapel in the woods, Little Red Riding Hood's Grandmother's house to name a few.),are left unaccounted for and Clark's Elioak Farm would love to hear from anyone who may have figures, signs, or even structures, that they would like to return. No questions asked!!!!
I personally would love to know what happened to Alice and all the Wonderland gang, Rapunzel, and Cinderella and company.
Although, I had found a person who supposedly was creating new Cinderella figures for the castle when the park was first sold years ago. He said the originals were pretty much destroyed "roached" is how he put it.
I asked him if he could please explain, but he never responded, and so I left it at that.
But, I have never come across in my research anyone who ever saw the Cinderella figures out of the park after it closed.
Some of the other figures and such are another story...

Ladyhawke04008 do you think we can order that dvd on line now? These are the most lovely pics and Motts you are fantastic. Thank you so much.

You can order this d.v.d now through the farm's site as well as some other items.
This money goes towards relocating structures to the farm, repairing, and preserving this enchanting past.
http://www.clarklandfa...ndise_for%20sale.htm

this place kicks ass

... it doesnt

We used to bring wax paper and sit on it going down the giant slide. We would go so fast you would ride up high on the sides and almost out of the slide. I remember looking over the edge at the water one time and thinking "here i go" i also remember getting off the slide and instictively going left to get back on, but the tunnel up was on the right and i nearly went in the water.

Its very...Jurrasic Parkish....

Luv it!

Ok, that water is just disturbing.

little toot is out at the farm taking the new generation of lil kiddies (like me!) on a small ride! dont worry willy's there too!

These pics are awesome....Ive been glued to my screen..cant wait to show my kids! thank you so much for allowing others to enjoy this :)