I don’t even remember how I ended up there, but I found myself looking at Roadside America’s page of Maryland attractions and I immediately noticed a line that said “Ellicott City: Enchanted Forest - CLOSED.” That got me wondering about it, so I did a bit of searching. I managed to find some information, including a page with a picture of the entrance! There was also a link to a message board, where I found a post that indicates the whole park is still there, but is horribly neglected. Makes me want to start a SAVE ENCHANTED FOREST campaign or something - somebody must still own that land and the equipment on it. I had assumed it all succumbed to urban sprawl years ago, but obviously the owner is holding out on something.
This evening I cleaned out a box that was packed when I was let go from my first job down here in Virginia. For some reason I had put a fresh $20 bill in there, folded together with the ATM receipt it came with - dated August 1999. It’s even an old-style $20. I have no idea why I put it in there. Weird.
Update, 1:12am Wow, there’s actually more out there about the Enchanted Forest than I thought. This article from late 2000 even mentions restoration efforts, though the contact e-mail address is @home.com so it probably wouldn’t work anymore. And then there’s this awesome page of photographs, too.
Update 15 April 04! Come join the discussion forum to stay updated on the park and preservation efforts! Commenting here has been turned off, as everyone is welcome to join the discussion forum.
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80 Responses for "Enchanted Forest"
hi there im lookin for information on the enchanted forest can u please send me the links of were the pics r and were i can get info??i wish i could reopen it myself its good to know some1 remembers it other then me i hope to hear from you
i would love to get a group together to try and reopen the park… i have been researching as well and “friends of the enchanted forest” don’t seen to exist any more i wonder what happeded to the 380,000 that they did manage to collect? Do you have any information.
Let me know thanks
Karen
Here is a copy of an email that I recieved…
Dear Karen,
Thanks for e-mailing. I don’t know if there is much that can be done to rebuild the Forest. The current management company doesn’t want to do anything. I’ve even approached them with the idea of moving the structures. I’m at a loss.
Unfortunately the Friends group did more harm than good. The didn’t actually collect any money. They had pledges for services and didn’t follow through. The other thing they did was have a walk through of the park. It was supposed to be a few adults and ended up lots of adults and even some children. The management company got very upset with the situation.
Nan Sherman
Original Message
From: Karen Burton
To: nan@nanalee.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 6:09 PM
Subject: the enchanted forest - information requested…?
Hello, my name is Karen Burton and I am interested in getting a group together to try and rebuild - reopent the enchanted forest on route 40 in maryland… I am having a hard time locating information and wheere the last efforts ended - i do know that approx $380,000 was raised by the friends of the enchanted forest , but can’t seem to find any information whether they began the process? any information you have would be greatly helpful…
thank you
I too remember the Enchanted Forest. I was about 5 or 6 when I went. That would have been 1987 or 1988. I don’t remember much of it at all though. Got lots of pics, but I do recall the gingerbread house and willie the whale. It’s a shame the park was closed. I would be interested with helping to restore it, but that takes money. I had heard that Friends had raised money too, but a friend of the Enchanted Forest told me that wasn’t the case. The park will be 50 years old come 2004, which is next year. It would be great if it could be open by then, but I don’t see it happening unfortunatly..
I have been searching for info on the enchanted forest. I grew up in Maryland and went there every year with my entire family. I am now 42 and living outside of Boston Ma.,but the enchanted forest is still etched in my mind . I also had the roadside america book and was thrilled to see it in there..but so saddened that it was closed..I too tried to contact friends of the enchanted forest..I am so disappointed that they never came through with the restoration..anyone who has any info on current efforts to restore or who would like to share memories or links please contact me at eveywayson@msn.com…so glad that others out there feel the same as I do about such a magical place
To all inquiries mentioned;I
have never had the privilege
of experiencing The Enchanted
Forest myself.It wasn’t until
summer’02 that I saw at least
what I never saw beyond Rt.40
roadside.I thought it was only
one acre of park land,big deal!’02 I saw the rest of what remained of it.Shocked,in
awe,fell in love and sadness
with what I never knew existed
before!Me and Nan Sherman are currently working on various
projects together in regards to the park.We’re not involved with “The Friends”,
either!There’s no reason we can’t all get together on this
sight!
Bruce
I too remember the enchanted forest. I was 4 when my nursery school went their for a field trip. If you have any information on it, I would love to hear from you.
The Howard County Fair in
Howard County(Exit 80 off Rte
70 off 695) is holding an ex-
hibition of the Enchanted For-
est from 8-2-03 to 8-9-03….
410-442-1022.It’s on Fair-
grounds Rd. just outside of
Baltimore.BE THERE!Introduce
yourselves!As I said,I’ve not
had the privilege of ever hav-
ing been there until ‘02,but
just to see what once was is
enough for me to have an appre
ciation for what it had offer
ed.I’m 47.When I saw what was left,standing at the fence,I
could invision how it once was
and the children and crowds
that at one time enjoyed it.
It drew tears to my eyes and
all I could think was,wow!What
a joy it must have been!I dont
have the privilige of memories
I can only see it objectively,
as how it was constructed and
enjoyed in the past!So all I
can do is offer photographs of
the park as I see it today and
share them with you as you knew the place from the past!
Bruce
I wish I could have been at the howard county fair but I was in Vermont with my family for the week. I hope to stay in touch and up to date with what is happening concerning the enchated forest. I find myself spending alot of my free time searching the web for info and old photos of that magical place..I have recently started a memorbilia collection..although items are so hard to find. it is my new passion.
Evelyn;
Feel free to get in touch with
Nan Sherman for easier access
to information.Nan will in turn get in touch with me and others
who have the same passion for the park as you do.The material
exhibited at the fair was incredi
ble!We’d love to share what we
know and see what others have to share!Please don’t feel
left out or alone!Whatever someone can’t find I’m sure we
can find it with group effort!
Bruce Barrett
My wife and I recently became interested in the enchanted forest. We have some land available near Harpers Ferry, WV and would like to eventually put a childrens’ park on it. Does anyone have information about the current owners of the Enchanted Forest? We would love to see some of the old exhibits put to use again. Surely that land will just be developed into a townhouse or condominium community sooner or later. Be sure to check out http://www.enchantedforest.com if you haven’t already. I believe there is also an ‘Enchanted Forest’ in Washington state and Rhode Island.
Hi,
My name is Adam, and i went to the Enchanted Forest when i was much younger. I always remembered the place and probably have lots of pictures somewhere. I am now 20 and saw the movie “Cry Baby” where they were at the Enchanted Froest. I knew that it was closed down but heard a rumor a long time that it re-opened. Now i know it didn’t but if it is still there now that i can drive and still live in MD i want to drive there please respond if you can on the latest info.
Thanks, Adam
The park is definitely closed and has been for years,but the
structures are still there,some in very good condition,others deteriorated,and full of foilage
overgrowth,and neglect!The
owners,thru efforts of others,re-
fuse to be contacted by anyone
due to a previous group of people who abused the trust of the owners,thereby closing further windows of opportunity to contact them!Feel free to get in touch with us,if you choose,as,regardless of closed opportunities by the park owner
s,we,ourselves choose to cont-
inue on getting and keeping in touch with others in the interest of the park!
Bruce Barrett
Bbarrett315@cs.com
Well, since it seems virtually “impossible” to get the current owners to do anything, why can’t we get a group together to basically “rebuild” the park on other property.. Try to redesign some of the old structures or get the creators of the old structures to rebuild another “newer” “cooler” version… We could get a couple of designers involvedd and create a park called The Enchanted Forest II Dreams re-visited or something that. I don’t know I would be more than willing to put some of my sweat into opening a new childrens park… P.S. I am a graphic designer in training right now, so I could possibly make some of the old photos come to life and rebuild (computer graphically anyway) the old structures. SOlicit companies for donations by means of tickets or something to the newly opened park. Any way it just some ideas.
SOMEONE BRING THE ENCHANTED FOREST BACK!!!
I went there as a kid to and miss it so much, if anyone needs me for anything that has to do with reopening it please contact me (CAN NOT HELP FINANCIALLY!)
RFTENNANT1@juno.com
I just want to say that I share many of your sentiments about the enchanted forest.I miss it so.I was in the second and third grades when I went on field trips there with my school.It was a most fascinating place for me as a child.Does anyone remember the squirt-cameras? It wasn’t a hyped-up place like kings dominion or six-flags.It might even be borderline boring for some kids today.But for me it was a thrill because my imaginative side was so evoked. The huge structures to laugh and play in and run through with your friends was unmatched.The haunted house was more haunted by what you anticipated was there instead of what was actually there-which made it even more intriguing.The grounds must be sacred because it was truly a magical place.Owners, if you read this, please reconsider opening it or turning it over to someone who likes to see children smile. I’m 31 now with children of my own and I would love to take them somewhere where there mother believed and experienced a faery-tale.
Hi, I remember as a child going to the enchanted forest and having a wonderful time. I would love to take my 3 children there and let them have fun like I did. I heard that the park was opened up again, but I can not find out any information about the park. If any one has heard anything please let me know. Thanks
I remember the Enchanted Forest. I was about 4 years old. I would love to see it return to share it with my 2 children. To the owners, get in contact with a corporation that will support you re-opening the park, please.
I too visited Enchanted Forest as a child. I had almost forgotten it until my mom found a post card sent to my grandmother from our visit to the park. I was making plans to take my daughter until I started looking up info on the net and found out it had closed many years ago. For those of you who are interested, there is a park in Pennsylvania called Storybook Forest (it is part of Idlewild Park/Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood). My husband used to go there as a child. Many if not all of the attractions are original. It’s not Enchanted Forest but it is a nice amusement for young children. It may also give some ideas to the original owners of EF about re-opening. Storybook had a lot of visitors when we were there this past summer. I can’t help financially, but I’d love to be a part of re-opening or recreating Enchanted Forest.
I wouild very much like to be involved in any efforts to save Enchanted Forest. Please contact me with any info.
Thanks
I read your emails and I too agree something should be done to reopen this childhood treasure. Can it be made a historic onument. I live in New York but grew up in Silver Springs and remember going there with my parents many times. The last time I visited it was when my exhusband and my sister went in 1979. Please keep me posted. valerie
Ditto on all above. My brother and I went there when we were kids. I’m 38 now. He called me tonight to ask me what I knew about the park reopening. That’s when I found this web site. I found a number years ago and called. Someone told me that there were plans to reopen the park. They even gave me an expected date of its reopening although I can’t remember it now. I would be interested in helping in the efforts to reopen the park.
I sent an email a few days ago about getting involved and seeing if the Enchanted Forest can be made into an Historical Monument. I am a history teacher in NY. Let me know how I can help to get this childhood memory opened again before it gives way to some developer. Thanks Valerie
Having recently moved to Ellicott City, I drove by the Enchanted Forest. I was young when visiting there so I didn’t know where it was until yesterday. I’ve noticed that lots of the previous postings are from people who remember the EF from years before me. I am 24, So my experience with the EF was in the last years of its life.I still remember begging to go there and all those great memories came back yesterday when I saw the entrance. I would love to see it open again! I’d would be willing to volunteer with restoration projects or anything else to get the EF open again for younger generations. The 50 yr. anniversary of the EF is in 2004!
I’m welling up with tears seeing people coming out of the woodwork regarding the Enchanted Forest!I’ve never been there,I’ve only seen the aftermath,and using my imagination,can only appreciate others’experiences
of what it was like!I have a passion for the park regardless
of who presently owns it!
Bruce Barrett
Having grown up in the Baltimore area, my yearly class trips were to the Enchanted Forest for grades 1 & 2. The memories I have of that park are great! I am now married, living in Harford County and have 2 school age girls. I have been wondering what is going on with the restoration of the park? I know my two girls would absolutely love it and we would not have to drive to another State to enjoy it. I have a friend from grade school that we still talk about certain memories of class trips and we can still remember the park vividly with the tea cups and the big sliding board–at least to a 2nd grader, it looked big. Please keep me posted on any restoration efforts being done.
i’ve lived right near the enchanted forest since i was born and of course i’ve visited many times, and i remember several years after it was initially closed, it was supposedly opened again for a while, but only for large parties like birthdays and such. across the street from the forest, at the Forest Diner, they still sell posters of the park. the management of the park has always been very stubborn, but i would love to see some renovation there, so good luck!
I did a word search on Google to find information about Enchanted Forest. I had found out from another message board that it was closed. I hope everyone’s wish comes true and this wonderful place is re-opened, if not re-created. I am 37 and visited EF a few times during trips to visit my Grandma in West Va. My kids are 7, 8, and 11 but they are like me - they would visit it at any age because you’re never too old to be a child! My favorite thing was the teacups! And I had forgotten all about the gingerbread house until I read an earlier post. You truly felt like you were “in” fairytale land!
I am a professional fine arts photogrpaher and I am doing a series on the enchnated forest because I have fond memories of it as a child and a sadness as the passing of places like it in order to have more room cookie cutter amusment and shopping areas. It is so unique. I was wondering if anyone knows how to contact the owner so I can get permission to go on the premesis to photograph. I’d love to do an exhibition and fundraiser w/ a few collegues and would like to contact the owner to see if that is something they would be intrested in. Thanks for any imput. The place is just so amazing it is worth preserving even if it is just meticulously recorded on film.
I am 30 years old and I remember the enchanted forest VERY well. I loved it. My godfather would take me there quite a bit. I get sad all the time because now I shop at that Safeway and see it. It makes me very sad. What a shame that the owners do not realize that they hold so many memories of people under lock and key, when so much could be done with it.
The Easter Egg is in pretty good shape as is The 3 Bears house. It was creepy.
Sorry, I lost the 1st part of my message. It was I was there yesterday through a hole in the fence. This place is unfixable. Most houses have caved in. Some were surprisingly in tact.
The place is indeed repairable!
I’ll roll my own sleeves up,get in the park with others,and put
thet place back on the map!I
was there Sunday evening on
Oct.27th,surveyed Snow White’s cottage:The roof itself may need repairing or replacing,
some other structures as well,
but I’ll roll my sleeves up and
assist with renovations!Mt.
Vesuvius may definitely need
total dissassembly and rebuilding,but it can be done!
I’ll not accept nonrepair for our
park!It is fixable!
I’m not trying to sound off as being harsh with my previous
comment regarding the place being nonfixable,but with the right kinds of material,the structures can definitely be
renovated!The Gingerbread
House,Snow White’s cottage,
Cinderella’s Castle:they all can be repaired!Have hope!
I’m 47 and remember Mom and Dad taking us there many times as kids. It came across my mind today for some reason, and thanks to the internet, I was able to rekindle some childhood memories! I particularly remember the diamond mine in Snow White’s house, and I’m a little fuzzy about it, but was it a dragon behind the bars as you came down the slide on the mountain?
Dave Duvall
A big kid at heart
It was Ali-Baba and the 40 theives! you could see them in a little window as you slid down the mountaint slide! (I think they call those diaramas-it’s a “scene” with small figures. Sometimes the figures move, this one didn’t. FUN!
I just heard on the 5:00 news this evening that the Enchanted Forest has an outside chance of opening again. I truly hope that is the case. Like many others, I can not financially support the restoration but certainly can give my time and helping hands to make that dream come true. I have two 3 year olds who absolutely would love it.
If you go to thewbalchannel.com it tells about the possibility of the park being reopened. You also can vote as to whether you think the park should reopen or not.
I am a 12-year-old in Ellicott City. I am very aware of the terrible conditions of the Enchanted Forest. I to read the article in the Sun this morning and started searching the internet for information. I saw the pictures, and they sparked my interest. Now I am here. I, like many, would love to go to the Enchanted Forest if it were reopened. I, of coure, was never there, but I show a lot of interest in it. I bet other kids do to. Maybe a good idea would be to somehow raise money by clearing out the overgrowth a little. Then you could convince the owners to open it for a week and get people to either pay or donate money as they walk in to look around. It may have been attempted before or brought up, and maybe it woujldn’t work. But it would be wonderful just to let people get a glimpse of what used to be. You can still the merry go round right there in the open by Petco, and it makes you wonder. I’m sure people would attend the event. It would be REALLY cool to reopen the Enchanted Forest!!!
I have posted here before. I just had to say how great I think it is that you guys managed to get WBAL to report on the Enchanted Forest and show the stuctures. Hopefully, we can get the park re-opend. I was not able to make it to the meeting last weekend, but I’m sure I’ll hear something from Mrs. Sherman on it. I watched the video feed of that broadcast through the WBAL web site, if anyone is intersted in seeing it. I beleive the park should be re-opend as an historical site. It would be a nice place to take your children. Peace out.
Jason D.
When I was about 5 or 6 my grandmother use to take me to the Enchanted Forest all the time that was around the mid to late 80’s. I would have the best time, and being as though we dont live far, it was convient to get to. It is a shame that the ower’s have let the property go down the way it has. They could be making so much money and not to mention making children very happy the way they made me. It is an experience that no child would forget. I have never seen any other park like it. If I had the money I would make the owner an offer he couldnt possibly refuse. But I would love to see the park reopen in the futer.
im only 18 but i’ve been to the EF. i had my birthday party at the family fun jungle that was there when i was younger (that too is now closed) i dont know if the park was open or not but i do remember walking around it, part of it was fenced up, i can only remember seeing a castle on the inside.but I have a cloudy memory of going up some stair into a little house with a little table inside and there being a slide there. I also remember a house that you pressed a button and the fairytale that the house was based around would be told. my mother was the one that took me there and from the little bit that i had experianced and enjoyed, i could only emagine what it was like in its prime. i would love to see it re-opened and i would love to help in its restoration. even if the owners wont let anyone fix it there must be a way to override them, it is after all a landmark and memory in its own. if we can restore old historic buildings that mostly only adults can appreciate then why cant something be done for the EF that could be enjoyed by our children and there children after that?
Everyone who is posting in this “comments section” should be joining the group that has been started too! If you go just to the top of where the journal entry ends and the “comment section” begins, you will see the link to click on and join in! …or here is the address/link to click on! -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EnchantedForestMD/
The more members we have, the better the chance The Enchanted Forest has! STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!!!
Hello Enchanted Forest fans. I know there has been many talks about re-opening this park. I know this group has debated this issue for quite some time… Here is my two cents.
I think that a Fun Raiser needs to be started to raise money to help restore the park. I myself would love to see it re-open, especially in these troublesome times. Something like a fair or carnival event, or perhaps a sale, something that would bring in some money.. That’s my two cents. Let me know what you all think.
I think a fundraiser is a great idea. Let’s get the ball rolling.
I would like to help with renovating the Enchanted Forest. I remember going there when I was younger. I don’t want to pledge and never send any money. I actually do fiberglass work myself and can lend the helping hand that is needed to restore the place. Please contact me as I would love to see if this is still feasible.
Thanks,
Mark Cline
I remember going to the Enchanted Forest many times every summer with my family. It was such a wonderful and magical place. I remember the old fashioned cars, the water flumes, gingerbread house, etc. Please keep me informed on what is going on and anything I can do to help.
Thanks
Candi Watkins
Sterling, VA
I am excited that there may be a chance that the forest may be re-opened.About a year ago my wife and I both tried to find some way to help in restoring the place but couldnt find anyone to speak to about it.I know some engineers who also have fond memories and would like to help too if we knew how.I have read that some think our love for the place is simply nostalgia but after seeing the place even in its current state I was just as intrigued as when I saw it in the 70’s for the first time.I have a 4 year old son and it saddens me to think he won’t be able to experience the wonderful times I had there.I think people underestimate kids these days.They enjoy more then just video games.There are some things that never lose their shine.I know daycare providers alone could send this place into the green with field trips.Where else can you take young kids these days?
I would love to help.
Hi,
My wife and my self were at the park today. Looks very bad, they did try to bring the front section (whale, 3 pigs house …)back to life a few years ago, but it looks like that failed.
I first visited the park back in the 60’s. I knew the Peter Pan resturant had burned down many years ago.
Hey! My cousin and I used to go to the Enchanted Forest when we were little in 1975-1979. We loved that place. I remember the big Mother Goose bus that used to take us around. And the Tea cup ride that went under the ground. And the huge mountain slide. That place rocked! I wish someone could bring the place back to life. I saw the park in that Cry Baby movie. I wish soemone with money would build a new park somewhere with more land.
Take Care!
I have original memoralbilia ,pictures, and a souvenir mug, coloring book, program and opening day, black and white pics from when it was first built and my great-grandmother took my mom, to when I was there as a child. I also have some secret possessions of the magickal land of enchanted forest that “came my way”
I think we could pull together as a core group, and petition for funding of it’s reopening. We might be able to get the help if the park were re-opened in the name of special needs children. the state, or government could fund the project, and we could ask for donations from substantial contributors who donate financial aid to worthy causes.
all sorts of children with special needs would appreciate it’s magick, and then it wouldn’t have to compete with kings dominion, six flags, or the tech./net generation.
thoughts??
We were at the park a few days ago and had a few questions regarding what we saw. What is the tree structure with the baby in a cradle hanging from a limb? What was shown in Willie the Whale’s mouth? What was inside the Easter Egg? Was there an attraction dealing with ALice and Wonderland…if so, what was it? I have many foggy memories and am looking for some clarification. I would love to see the park reopen.
PLEASE come and join our group! Meredith(the author/creator of this site and the EF journal post above, to which you have commented), has started a group called The Enchanted Forest Preservation Society. PLEASE come and join in!
There is a link at the end of the jounal post above, or go to http://EnchantedForestMD.org/
to find a link to the group!
i am 40 yrs old and went to the enchanted forest many times i even have home movies of the park that my parents took.the whole park is not there since the enchanted
forest shopping center
and houses behind it have taken the original size of the park away to only a few pieces compared to what use to be there. there should be a new park so children should
experience the magic it would bring the children today.
fyi the enchanted forest shopping center is owned as a
division of tri star mgmt company company which rents
apts.the reason the park closed was that the owner wanted shopping center instead
of caring about a place for children to go they cared more
about profits from commercial
real estate ventures. so when
a new park is created make sure that it can never be taken over by a greedy
company that does not care about children or the magic that that park means even when
you grow up.
OOPS The correct web address to come and join The Enchanted Forest Preservation Society is; http://www.EnchantedForestMD.org/
I was showing my sister the remains of Enchanted Forest from outside the fence on March 21, 2002 around 11:30 am……when we saw something strange. There was a woman dressed as a princes or Fairy, and a man in a red Cape that looked like a Wizard inside the park. They were going from exhibit to exhibit. Who were these people? Pretty daring to be inside the park, in daylight at high noon, all dressed up. They looked like there were living out a fantasy.
It would be nice for the park to re-open again. We used to go as children - and would love to someday be able to take our children………
This was an interesting website. Not only am I familiar with the park, most of my family - brothers, cousins, etc worked there summers and my dad did a lot of the sound system at the park. I can remember when the safari was being built as well as Ali Baba….you get a different perspective on the park entirely when you have worked summers there!
I’m just trying to find out if the Enchanted Forest has been or will be opened. I used to take my kids there 20 or so years ago!
I had been to Enchanted Forest several times as a child. I took my children there, but the last time it was really going down hill. I now have a 4 yr. old grandaughter and wanted to take her there so tried finding info on the web only to discover it has been shut down. What a disappointment. It would have been so neat to have a third generation trip to the Enchanted Forest.
Hi Lou, Hi Dixie,
Please don’t give up hope yet!
If you look at the bottom of Meredith’s original entry, just above where all the comments start…you will see in BRIGHT RED, The words: “Update 15 April 04!”
If you look just next to those words, you will see in LIGHT GREY, the words “discussion forum” …Click right on those words, and it will take you to The Enchanted Forest Preservation Society’s new site! We are working to see what can be done to preserve this Beloved, ENCHANTED FOREST!
Hi I am a 28 Year old mother of 2 boys and as a chiild I absolutly loved the enchanted forest my family and I went there frequently over the years It was a great place and I would love to get it back for my own childred My sister and I tell stories to my children and you can see the excitment in their eyes just from hearing me talk about it, it is very sad that this place no longer exsists my sister and I along with my children took a trip their last year hoping to get just a small peak at the place that we loved so much it is very sad that had you not visited this place as a child you wouldnt even know that it exsisted it is very sad to see what has taken this wonderful parks place! Is there anything at all being done to save this park?? I would love to see this park reopen and so would many other people that I know please contact me as sjbrwb2@msn.com with any info at all
Hi I am a 28 Year old mother of 2 boys and as a chiild I absolutly loved the enchanted forest my family and I went there frequently over the years It was a great place and I would love to get it back for my own childred My sister and I tell stories to my children and you can see the excitment in their eyes just from hearing me talk about it, it is very sad that this place no longer exsists my sister and I along with my children took a trip their last year hoping to get just a small peak at the place that we loved so much it is very sad that had you not visited this place as a child you wouldnt even know that it exsisted it is very sad to see what has taken this wonderful parks place! Is there anything at all being done to save this park?? I would love to see this park reopen and so would many other people that I know please contact me as sjbrwb2@msn.com with any info at all
Hi I am a 28 Year old mother of 2 boys and as a chiild I absolutly loved the enchanted forest my family and I went there frequently over the years It was a great place and I would love to get it back for my own childred My sister and I tell stories to my children and you can see the excitment in their eyes just from hearing me talk about it, it is very sad that this place no longer exsists my sister and I along with my children took a trip their last year hoping to get just a small peak at the place that we loved so much it is very sad that had you not visited this place as a child you wouldnt even know that it exsisted it is very sad to see what has taken this wonderful parks place! Is there anything at all being done to save this park?? I would love to see this park reopen and so would many other people that I know please contact me as sjbrwb2@msn.com with any info at all
I’m 29 and am in complete agreement that this park should be reopened. I go by the park very often and look at the awful condition of the once beautiful place. I have fond memories of me and my mother going there when I was young, my mother was killed about five years ago in a car wreck, but I will always have good memories of me and her at The Enchanted Forest. I would love for other children to experience the same kind of warm memories with they’re families. I have been trying to find out how to help to reopen this American Landmark. If I can help anyone in any way please e-mail me.
I too visited the Enchanted Forest as a child. I’m now 49 years old and have many happy memories. I took my children there when they were younger althought their memories are foggy. I’d love to be able to take my grandchildren there. In answer to Heather’s questions, I think I have some answers for her. The baby hanging in the cradles depicts the old nursery song - “Rock-A-Bye Baby” (in the treetop). The figure inside the whale was Jonah (from the Bible story Jonah and the Whale). At one time there were live bunnies in the Easter egg. There was a teacup ride that took you underground to the Mad Hatters Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland.
I too visited the Enchanted Forest as a child. I’m now 49 years old and have many happy memories. I took my children there when they were younger althought their memories are foggy. I’d love to be able to take my grandchildren there. In answer to Heather’s questions, I think I have some answers for her. The baby hanging in the cradles depicts the old nursery song - “Rock-A-Bye Baby” (in the treetop). The figure inside the whale was Jonah (from the Bible story Jonah and the Whale). At one time there were live bunnies in the Easter egg. There was a teacup ride that took you underground to the Mad Hatters Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland.
I remember going there when I was a kid. I loved it. I remember riding the ugly duckling ride, tugboat ride, the safari ride w/water spraying. I remember the teacup ride (my favorite). It makes all the fairy tales come to life. I always wonder if it can be reopened some day. I now have a 2 year old and wish there was a park I could take her to close by that did not get crowded with teenagers. It would be most wonderful if the park could be reopened (even if it had to be relocated) for space considerations.
Please keep me posted of future developments.
My brother and I also went to the Enchanted Forest in 1970 and for a few years after. My brother now has two children and I have one 2 1/2 year old and one on the way. My 2 1/2 year old loves rides and I would love to find someplace close by. Are there any other places similar to the Enchanted Forest for small children that are in the general vicinity. How can we keep up with the Enchanted Forest to check to see if it will ever reopen. Who owns the park; is it an amusement contractor, the State, or private owner. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Hello, to all! I too remember the wonderful Enchanted Forest. Although my brother & I were young children when our family would take us there, we still have fond memories of it. We have many photos and still even souveniers from the Enchanted Forest. I now have a 5 year old daughter and would love for her to one day be able to experience this wonderful place! My family often speaks of the Enchanted Forest and come up with many unanswered questions on why such a beautiful park closed, why is was never re-opened, etc..? If anyone hears of the possible re-opening of the park please keep me up to date. If there is any I can do…I will.
Good Luck!
Test postage I have triued to post but it does not stick..
I have toured the Enchanted Forest remains very recently and was saddened by the condition of the remains. There has been significant vandalism and what is left of the park is badly broken and probably not able to be repaired. IAfter seeing this I have chosen to remember the park as a wonderful place to visit as a child. The video tape, was converted to a DVD and shows all of the rides and storybook characters just as they were. I am just happy to have been able to have seen this wonderful theme park.
Hi my name is Kellie, and the reason i want to try to reopen The Enchanted Forest is because ever since i was a little girl my mom has told me about it,and told me that one day when me and my little brother were both old enough that her and my dad would take us. Well I am now 13, my mom is 37 and my little brother is 8. We had planned on going to The Enchanted Forest this summer for a family trip. But then when we tried to get tickets we found out that it had been closed.
Now let me tell you I dont give up that easy. Espesially when i found out that my mom had been planning on taking us for soo long. Now The Enchanted Forest was where my grandparents took my mom Belinda and my two aunts Aunt Pam and Aunt Ann when they were little. Well you can imagine how upset my mom was when she found out that it had been closed. She cried. And I dont like it when my mom cries. Sooo naturally i planned on finding away to fix the problem by trying to reopen The Enchanted Forest. Now if anybody has any ideas what so ever pleeeaaasssee contact me. My email Address is: angel_in_disguise21157@yahoo.com.
I am willing to give as much money as I can and do as much as possible that a 13 year old girl can do.
P.S. pleeaase help me do this for my mom,my aunts,and for my family. I am trying my best but I cant do it all alone.
Yours truly,
~~~Kellie~~~
Hi I also visited the park many years ago and I would love to do something to get it restored for children these days. Don’t our kids need this place to escape from ALL of the scary things in the world ??? I agree that it might be a good way to get some financial help, by making it specifically for special needs children or at least make it a special place where handicapped children can go to enjoy a park like ALL children love. This place is too sweet a memory to be let go of so easilly.
okey people its me again,and ya know what I am sick and tired of the comunity taking some of the few decent things we have left and wrecking them. Then they go putting up malls and movie stores, mind you I like a mall as much as the next teen, but come on this is gettin rediculous.So I have decided thats it im not taking it anymore. I am going to start a petition to reopen The Enchanted Forest. Now mind you I cant do it alone,so if ,so if you want to help lets go.
P.S. please email me if you want to help me with this, Im only 13 I cant do it all by myself.
again my email addy is el_in_disguise21157@yahoo.com. I am also gonna have my mom to help me with all the legal Crap and then i will get back to ya all.
~~~KELLIE~~~ aka ~~~Angel~~~ bye bye.
Hi Kellie!
Hi All!
PLEASE join the group that has already started!
It will be an opportunity for the public to speak out…or at least fill out a comment card that you would like to see The Beloved Enchanted Forest SAVED!
There is already a petition started that you can download and take around in your nieghborhood…and the lastest news about EF…including a Public Workshop Meeting about the revitalization of Rt 40.( and includes the possibility of restoring and re-opening The EF! ) It is being put on by Howard County Planning and Zoning…The EF is located in Howard County… This meeting is on ****JUNE 15th…THIS TUESDAY NIGHT! at 7-9Pm at The Ellicott City Senior Center…9401 Frederick Road…It sits just behind The Miller Branch Library.*** ( You can get a flyer about this meeting at the Library too..when you first walk in the doors to your left!
HELP GIVE THE ENCHANTED FOREST A VOICE! COME TO THIS JUNE 15TH MEETING!!!!!!!
*Kellie I SURE hope you can be there at this meeting!!!!!! and I HOPE that everyone else who sees this message will be there too!
Kellie is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!! THIS WILL TAKE TEAMWORK! PLEASE COME TO THE SITE THAT MEREDITH STARTED, AND JOIN IN THE FIGHT! GO TO:
http://www.EnchantedForestMD.org/
then click on “discussion forum” to join in and get the latest info. on The effort to save The EF
Thanks!
LOOKING FORWARD!
Sincerely,
Monica
Hi Kellie!
I tried to send you some important info. about The EF but the address you posted doesn’t seem to work…could you re-post your address so that I can send you the info.? Thanks
Monica
Hello all! I used to work in Ellicott City and passed this boarded up, former children’s getaway, every day and it depressed me. I loved this place as a kid. I have pictures of me and my best friend at the time sitting in the big blue whale’s mouth on a school trip when I was in kindergarden. I LOVE that picture and I miss the wonderful memories. Kids now a days don’t have cool places like this to hang out and I have every intention of helping my neice pass this petition and have it reopened. By the way, Kellie, is my neice. Help us PLEASE, if you really do want to reopen this long forgotten wonderland.
What happen at the June 15th meeting on the
Enchanted Forest issue? I had to work late so
I could not make it to the meeting.
Thanks
Angela, MD