Enter Luna Park. Located on the beachfront of Melbourne’s notoriously seedy district (St. Kilda), Luna park houses the worlds oldest ‘continuously operated’ roller coaster (whatever that means), and creeps out children and adults of all ages.
Here’s a better shot of the whole park, housing a carousel and a bunch of carnies
Awesome first picture. Love the shopping cart in the foreground – gives it more seedy feeling.
A tiny bit of research looks like Luna’s roller coaster is the oldest that hasn’t been shut down for a long period – there’s an older coaster, but was shut down for 14 years.
These are fun. I love the entrance to the park. We’ve been at Okoboji this week. There aren’t many people at Arnold’s Park. I don’t know whether it seems so different because we’re here in June instead of July or because of the economy’s impact on tourism. And today it may just be because this morning it rained.
Yeah Luna Park totally creeps me out. The entrance at least, its not so creepy once you get inside. Except that it is old and last summer some people got stuck up on the roller coaster b/c it malfunctioned or something. They probably should shut Luna Park down, but its such a historical and cultural thing! Google (and luna park’s website) tell me that it first opened in 1912. I like the name.. like lunatic!
Always fun to hear from you, Beth! And I love it that you remember and liked the Fun House at Arnold’s Park, Josh. Ahhh . . . the Sugar Bowl; the Barrel; the mirrors; the zig-zaggy-up-and-downy boards with the air that shoots up under you; and those awesome, golden-oak slides we sailed down on rugs! But, yes! This Luna Park would give me the willies. Imagine being in it at dark! Would make a great location for a Stephen King novel!
Btw, really like how you shot the first photo–on an angle for a crazy feel, far enough back to include the cart (as “brohan” said, too), and with the round ferris wheel positioned where it is–nice contrasting touch. Interesting, too, how the street-art artist morphed Luna Park to make it look even more how it feels–creepy.
8 Comments »
Comment by josh — June 25, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
Enter Luna Park. Located on the beachfront of Melbourne’s notoriously seedy district (St. Kilda), Luna park houses the worlds oldest ‘continuously operated’ roller coaster (whatever that means), and creeps out children and adults of all ages.
Here’s a better shot of the whole park, housing a carousel and a bunch of carnies
and here is the street art depiction
Comment by brohan — June 26, 2008 @ 2:50 am
Awesome first picture. Love the shopping cart in the foreground – gives it more seedy feeling.
A tiny bit of research looks like Luna’s roller coaster is the oldest that hasn’t been shut down for a long period – there’s an older coaster, but was shut down for 14 years.
Comment by Claire — June 26, 2008 @ 4:31 am
That’s really creepy. I feel like I need an adult.
Comment by Clara — June 26, 2008 @ 4:55 am
These are fun. I love the entrance to the park. We’ve been at Okoboji this week. There aren’t many people at Arnold’s Park. I don’t know whether it seems so different because we’re here in June instead of July or because of the economy’s impact on tourism. And today it may just be because this morning it rained.
Comment by josh — June 26, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
haha glad you guys liked the photos. Makes sense what continuously operated means. Thanks for the info jon.
I think the closing of the fun house was the downfall of Arnold’s Park. That was always my favorite bit.
Comment by beth — June 26, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
Yeah Luna Park totally creeps me out. The entrance at least, its not so creepy once you get inside. Except that it is old and last summer some people got stuck up on the roller coaster b/c it malfunctioned or something. They probably should shut Luna Park down, but its such a historical and cultural thing! Google (and luna park’s website) tell me that it first opened in 1912. I like the name.. like lunatic!
Comment by Peg — June 26, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Always fun to hear from you, Beth!
And I love it that you remember and liked the Fun House at Arnold’s Park, Josh. Ahhh . . . the Sugar Bowl; the Barrel; the mirrors; the zig-zaggy-up-and-downy boards with the air that shoots up under you; and those awesome, golden-oak slides we sailed down on rugs! But, yes! This Luna Park would give me the willies. Imagine being in it at dark! Would make a great location for a Stephen King novel!
Comment by Peg — June 27, 2008 @ 6:16 am
Btw, really like how you shot the first photo–on an angle for a crazy feel, far enough back to include the cart (as “brohan” said, too), and with the round ferris wheel positioned where it is–nice contrasting touch. Interesting, too, how the street-art artist morphed Luna Park to make it look even more how it feels–creepy.
Thanks for sending another window to your world!
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