THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY REICHLEY, ADOLPH, BEAR, BEYER, BOYD, BRADFORD, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, D. EVANS, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HARHART, HELM, HENNESSEY, HESS, JOHNSON, KNOWLES, KORTZ, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARKOSEK, MARSHALL, MARSICO, McCALL, MELIO, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PEIFER, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, PYLE, QUINN, REED, ROEBUCK, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SAMUELSON, SANTONI, SCAVELLO, SEIP, SIPTROTH, SONNEY, STEVENSON, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD, BRENNAN AND DAY, JUNE 23, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 23, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Honoring Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom amusement park and

water park in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, on the

occasion of its 125th anniversary.

WHEREAS, Dorney Park has earned recognition in the amusement

industry, drawing countless visitors to its many attractions

since its introduction of mechanical rides in 1884; and

WHEREAS, Wildwater Kingdom, a collection of water

attractions, including water slides, tubing rivers, activity

pools and wave pools, has delighted park-goers since 1985; and

WHEREAS, Dorney Park originated as a fish hatchery on the

Solomon Dorney estate bordering Cedar Creek outside Allentown;

and

WHEREAS, Solomon Dorney's Fish Weir and Summer Resort, later

renamed Dorney's Trout Ponds and Summer Resort, included several

trout ponds and picnic groves as early as the 1870s; and

WHEREAS, The resort featured the Mansion House hotel and

restaurant; and

WHEREAS, Early attractions included a small zoo, games,

rides, gardens and refreshment stands; and

WHEREAS, In 1901, the new spring-fed pool was the world's

largest artificial pool; and

WHEREAS, A hotel, casino, bowling alley, Ferris wheel,

carousel, pool hall and roller skating rink were added by 1915;

and

WHEREAS, The Zephyr miniature train has provided scenic trips

through the park since 1935; and

WHEREAS, Dorney Park's racetrack, developed on a baseball

diamond, became an independently operated site for NASCAR stock

car races in 1953; and

WHEREAS, Dorney Park's Hercules was the world's tallest

wooden roller coaster from its debut in 1989 until 1991; and

WHEREAS, In addition to thrill rides, Dorney Park offers

family entertainment through its Tot Spot midway rides and

attractions and its Camp Snoopy interactive family play area;

and

WHEREAS, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company currently owns

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, operating hundreds of

exciting rides and attractions on a 200-acre site; therefore be

it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor Dorney Park

and Wildwater Kingdom, a leading Lehigh Valley destination, for

125 years of seasonal amusements; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, 3830 Dorney Park Road,

Allentown, PA 18104.