Midway State Park providing family fun for over a century

Danielle Dewey grew up near Midway State Park and used to visit as a child. Now she's in charge of the place. She says "I'm very happy to be back here as manager." The once family owned fun spot nestled on Chautauqua Lake was purchased by the New York State Park System in 2006. Of the state's 215 parks and historical sites, Midway is the only amusement park. It first opened in 1898 as a trolley park. Danielle says the main reason Midway continues to be popular is "nostalgia and long time generational visitation has kept this park going-I'm part of that generational nostalgia." They just opened their museum in a new and bigger space and there are plans to add a 1948 Eli Ferris Wheel and a 1960 Herschell Twister. Those rides will fit perfectly with the mostly 1940's and 50's rides already here, many of them manufactured in North Tonawanda at the The Allan Herschell Company. According to Danielle "we pride ourselves on that history and we do our best to maintain it." You can find more information including hours of operation at the Midway State Park website.