Keansburg Amusement Park

Keansburg Amusement Park
Keansburg, New Jersey

The Keansburg Amusement Park and adjacent Runaway Rapids Water Park are about an hour's drive south of New York City. The park, situated on the south shore of Raritan Bay, opened way back in 1904 when William Gelhaus purchased a lot on the marshy waterfront in order to build a summer resort. A boardwalk was built and rides soon started arriving. The park's offices currently reside in a building built in 1914. The park was seriously damaged by three hurricanes from the 1930s to the 1960s. The park was later managed by William's son Henry Gelhaus, but Henry sold the park to Grandal Enterprises in 1972. After years of decline and decay, the park was sold back to the Gelhaus family in 1995. Since then, they have invested heavily in the park with the addition of a water park, multiple new rides and upgraded facilities. Although the park was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012, the Gehlaus' rebuilt Keansburg and have added new restaurants and few new rides.

Three coasters have been removed from this park: Scenic Railway (1912-1918) was a small wooden coaster. Jack Rabbit (1919-1930s) was a large wooden coaster designed by John Miller. Wild Cat (1984-2012) was damanged by Hurricane Sandy. (Click on the pictures below for details.)

Sea Serpent

Wild Cat