Nay Aug
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Nay Aug Park is the largest park in Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The park once an amusement park which closed in the 1990s, but a small amusement area still operates near the swimming pool complex. The park still houses a small zoo, the Gorge, The Everhart Museum, and two Olympic sized swimming pools.[1]
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[edit] The Zoo
The zoo at Nay Aug once hosted the famous Tony the elephant and Joshua the donkey. The zoo closed in 1988 and the newest elephant Toni was shipped to the National Zoo in 1989. The zoo had been closed for a span of 14 years, reopening in the summer of 2003 as a wildlife rehabilitation center. The current zoo complex is comparatively small and does not house the same number of animals as the original zoo.
[edit] The Gorge
The Nay Aug Gorge was known to have been created during the ice age and is a popular (though dangerous and illegal) swimming spot. In 2007 the David Wenzel Tree House opened with views overlooking the gorge and surrounding area. The tree house is designed to be fully handicapped accessible and is the first of its kind in the area. [2] In addition to the tree house, a foot bridge with views of Roaring Brook also opened the same year.
[edit] The Everhart Museum
The Everhart Museum was founded in 1908 by Dr. Isaiah Fawkes Everhart. In honor of the museum's founder, a bronze statue of Dr. Everhart and Lake Everhart were dedicated on May 20, 1911. Dr. Everhart died five days later on May 25, 1911. The Everhart is the largest public museum in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It is a non-profit institution dedicated to the collection, care and display of a diverse array of artifacts, including natural history, science and fine arts. The museum also contains a library with books pertaining to areas of interest covered by the collection. [3]
[edit] Swimming pools
Two Olympic size swimming pools can be found at the park. Recently renovated, the pool now offers a diving board and two water slides.
[edit] Amusement Park
Nay Aug Amusement Park was a small amusement park based in Nay Aug Park. The park was run by Karl and Ralph Strohl, who received the park from their father. The amusements included toy tanks in a circle, caterpillar, bumper cars, helicopters, cars on a track, merry-go-round, boats in a small pond, and a small whip. One of the park's highlights was the small wooden roller coaster, The Comet Coaster (also known as Comet, Jr.) There was a miniature Lackawanna train which went around the roller coaster. The building that housed the bumper cars was previously a dance hall during the 30's and 40's where big bands came to play. The park was closed in the 1990s. The site of the former park is now green space. A small amusement area is now located near the swimming pools.
