Fairy tales do come true!
Storybook Land to celebrate 30 years Saturday at Wylie
By Angela Mettler
American News Writer
For Jennie Podoll of Aberdeen, work doesn't seem like work.
Podoll is an employee of the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry department. She visited Storybook Land frequently as a child and now enjoys working in its playful atmosphere.
"If you come here, you know it's going to be a fun time," she said.
Storybook Land is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Saturday in conjunction with Aberdeen's 125th anniversary celebration. Events planned include a kids' parade, storytellers, entertainment, arts and crafts, games and a birthday party for Storybook Land, which is in Wylie Park.
Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world come to delight in Storybook Land's fairy tale ambiance. Some return to share childhood memories of Storybook Land with their own children.
Kevin and Clarice Moser of Mound City visit the park a few times every summer with their children, Amy and Austin.
"They really like the new stuff that's been added here - the rides, the rock climbing wall," said Clarice. "They like it all."
The fact that Aberdeen is pretty close to Mound City is an added bonus for the Mosers.
"It's nice not to have to travel too far to do something," Clarice said.
For some visitors, distance doesn't play a factor. Patty Bauer of Boise, Idaho, brings her two children to Storybook Land every few years.
"It's a good place to bring kids," she said.
She grew up in Webster and attended Northern State University - she even worked in the Haunted Forest during college. She has lived outside of South Dakota for the past 18 years.
She and her sister, Cindy Rineck of Wisconsin, and Rineck's two children took in Storybook Land on Tuesday with a few Aberdeen cousins.
Bauer also enjoys Wylie Park, Thunder Road and the mini golf course.
"I like all the things you can do," Bauer said, "and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg."
The variety of activities also appealed to second-time visitors Shirley Sandel, her daughter Heather Korber and granddaughter Ashley Korber, 4.
"It's fun for the kids because there's a lot to do," Heather said.
A storied history: Storybook Land has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
It began in 1971 with the development of Wylie Park's master plan, which included ideas for Storybook Land and the Land of Oz. A more detailed, separate plan for those two parts of Wylie Park was developed in 1972.
The Aberdeen Sertoma Club adopted Storybook Land as its club project. In 1973, the city received a $69,000 Land and Water Conservation Grant through a federal grant program administered by the state. Work began in 1976; the first things built were the mill, waterwheel, sidewalk, fences and moat.
Only two fairy tale displays were completed between 1973 and 1980, but 25 were completed in the next three years.
One of the biggest projects in Storybook Land's history was the castle. It opened June 27, 1987. More than $250,000 was raised in about two years.
"People then got the feeling of comfort that (Storybook Land) was going to happen," said Bob Gruman, chairman of the Aberdeen Sertoma Club's Storybook Land Committee.
The castle has since become a symbol of the Hub City.
"The castle is kind of the signature that everybody's used to identify Aberdeen," said Doug Johnson, director of Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry department.
Another big project was replacing the model train, adding a depot and extending the railroad track to almost a mile long. Fundraising began in 1997 and the new train opened for business in May 2000. More than $500,000 was raised.
Shirley Jahraus, Aberdeen Sertoma Club public relations and social/visitation committee chairwoman, said she takes first-time Storybook Land visitors on the train before they tour the park.
"It really gives them a feel for the park," she said.
The current train is a replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington model train. The depot was built in 1881 for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and sat in Rudolph until 1925, when it was moved to Columbia. The depot now serves as a museum.
The Land of Oz has developed considerably in the past 15 years. The most recent addition, the Wizard's Balloon Ride, was added in 2005.
Future growth: Even after 30 years, Storybook Land is still growing. The latest proposed additions include a new visitor's center, arch and the Emerald City.
The proposed visitor's center would replace Noah's Ark, the current concession stand and restrooms. It would include a 700-square-foot gift shop, a 42-person capacity indoor room that could be rented for parties, a new concession area and new restrooms.
The new arch, at Storybook Land's entrance, would be larger and more colorful than the existing arch. It would probably cost about $30,000, while the visitor's center is expected to cost $600,000.
The Emerald City, in the Land of Oz, would include the Great Emerald Hall. The hall could be rented for special events, conventions and gatherings such as family and class reunions. It would include an Oz Museum, concessions and restrooms.
"It would be much like the castle, kind of like the focal point for the Land of Oz," Gruman said.
All three projects will require extensive fundraising efforts by the Aberdeen Sertoma Club. The club has asked for money from the city but will not know how much it will receive for another few weeks, Gruman said.
Eventually, the park might need more land for expansion and to relieve weekend parking congestion.
Storybook Land's continued growth and community support have been more than the original planners could have hoped for.
"I'd say it's exceeded everybody's expectations," Gruman said.
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/15124236.htm
By Angela Mettler
American News Writer
For Jennie Podoll of Aberdeen, work doesn't seem like work.
Podoll is an employee of the Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry department. She visited Storybook Land frequently as a child and now enjoys working in its playful atmosphere.
"If you come here, you know it's going to be a fun time," she said.
Storybook Land is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Saturday in conjunction with Aberdeen's 125th anniversary celebration. Events planned include a kids' parade, storytellers, entertainment, arts and crafts, games and a birthday party for Storybook Land, which is in Wylie Park.
Every year, thousands of visitors from around the world come to delight in Storybook Land's fairy tale ambiance. Some return to share childhood memories of Storybook Land with their own children.
Kevin and Clarice Moser of Mound City visit the park a few times every summer with their children, Amy and Austin.
"They really like the new stuff that's been added here - the rides, the rock climbing wall," said Clarice. "They like it all."
The fact that Aberdeen is pretty close to Mound City is an added bonus for the Mosers.
"It's nice not to have to travel too far to do something," Clarice said.
For some visitors, distance doesn't play a factor. Patty Bauer of Boise, Idaho, brings her two children to Storybook Land every few years.
"It's a good place to bring kids," she said.
She grew up in Webster and attended Northern State University - she even worked in the Haunted Forest during college. She has lived outside of South Dakota for the past 18 years.
She and her sister, Cindy Rineck of Wisconsin, and Rineck's two children took in Storybook Land on Tuesday with a few Aberdeen cousins.
Bauer also enjoys Wylie Park, Thunder Road and the mini golf course.
"I like all the things you can do," Bauer said, "and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg."
The variety of activities also appealed to second-time visitors Shirley Sandel, her daughter Heather Korber and granddaughter Ashley Korber, 4.
"It's fun for the kids because there's a lot to do," Heather said.
A storied history: Storybook Land has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
It began in 1971 with the development of Wylie Park's master plan, which included ideas for Storybook Land and the Land of Oz. A more detailed, separate plan for those two parts of Wylie Park was developed in 1972.
The Aberdeen Sertoma Club adopted Storybook Land as its club project. In 1973, the city received a $69,000 Land and Water Conservation Grant through a federal grant program administered by the state. Work began in 1976; the first things built were the mill, waterwheel, sidewalk, fences and moat.
Only two fairy tale displays were completed between 1973 and 1980, but 25 were completed in the next three years.
One of the biggest projects in Storybook Land's history was the castle. It opened June 27, 1987. More than $250,000 was raised in about two years.
"People then got the feeling of comfort that (Storybook Land) was going to happen," said Bob Gruman, chairman of the Aberdeen Sertoma Club's Storybook Land Committee.
The castle has since become a symbol of the Hub City.
"The castle is kind of the signature that everybody's used to identify Aberdeen," said Doug Johnson, director of Aberdeen Parks, Recreation and Forestry department.
Another big project was replacing the model train, adding a depot and extending the railroad track to almost a mile long. Fundraising began in 1997 and the new train opened for business in May 2000. More than $500,000 was raised.
Shirley Jahraus, Aberdeen Sertoma Club public relations and social/visitation committee chairwoman, said she takes first-time Storybook Land visitors on the train before they tour the park.
"It really gives them a feel for the park," she said.
The current train is a replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington model train. The depot was built in 1881 for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad and sat in Rudolph until 1925, when it was moved to Columbia. The depot now serves as a museum.
The Land of Oz has developed considerably in the past 15 years. The most recent addition, the Wizard's Balloon Ride, was added in 2005.
Future growth: Even after 30 years, Storybook Land is still growing. The latest proposed additions include a new visitor's center, arch and the Emerald City.
The proposed visitor's center would replace Noah's Ark, the current concession stand and restrooms. It would include a 700-square-foot gift shop, a 42-person capacity indoor room that could be rented for parties, a new concession area and new restrooms.
The new arch, at Storybook Land's entrance, would be larger and more colorful than the existing arch. It would probably cost about $30,000, while the visitor's center is expected to cost $600,000.
The Emerald City, in the Land of Oz, would include the Great Emerald Hall. The hall could be rented for special events, conventions and gatherings such as family and class reunions. It would include an Oz Museum, concessions and restrooms.
"It would be much like the castle, kind of like the focal point for the Land of Oz," Gruman said.
All three projects will require extensive fundraising efforts by the Aberdeen Sertoma Club. The club has asked for money from the city but will not know how much it will receive for another few weeks, Gruman said.
Eventually, the park might need more land for expansion and to relieve weekend parking congestion.
Storybook Land's continued growth and community support have been more than the original planners could have hoped for.
"I'd say it's exceeded everybody's expectations," Gruman said.
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/nation/15124236.htm
