HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO AN ENCHANTED ISLAND?
By
Gerry Niskern
I visit an enchanted island every once in a while on a long Sunday afternoon.
When you get out of your car in the Encanto Park lot you don’t need directions. The Merry-go-round music beckons you in the right direction, over the bridge.
As I walk across the bridge, kids of all ages pass me, headed for the fun rides. If they are celebrating their birthday on the island in one of the shady party areas, their parents are pulling wagons loaded with drinks, presents and a birthday cake. Last time, one of the fathers was even pulling a wagon containing a TV. I guess he didn’t want to miss the big game either!
The train that circles the park toots to let everyone know to watch out at the crossing at the entrance. The merry-go-round is first, but there are airplanes to fly. (some poor kids ride in a boring circle because no one tells them to raise up on the control and they will fly!)
All kinds of cars to drive come next and of course, the fire engine is the one claimed first. There is a Tilt-a-whirl and a boat ride, but the most popular without a doubt is the Dragon Roller Coaster.
A munchkin rider has to measure a certain height on the operator’s chart or they can’t ride the Dragon. I hear lots of worried kids asking, “Do you think I can make it this time?”I remember taking two great-grandkids years ago, and while I went to the restroom, their grandpa “talked” them on to the Dragon. I was appalled when I caught up to see the five year swirling up and down and his two year old sister riding beside him! And as tradition goes, both hands in the air too!
When I look up I’m always startled to see the high rise buildings between the trees. They weren’t there years ago when I was a kid and we went to the park to feed the ducks and swans and rent canoes to paddle around the waterways.
As I sit on a bench “people watching”, or I guess I should really say “kid watching” I am entertained by all sizes and ages. If you love kids and don’t have any in your family right now, enjoy the ones on The Enchanted Island. It’s a nice way to spend a long Sunday afternoon.