Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When we were kids, we had a nice choice of fun places to go for family fun. We had Revere Beach, Whalom Park, and Paragon Park with a variety of rides and amusements. There was always Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire, and of course up north a bit further, Old Orchard Beach. But there was another fun spot that existed for a short time in the greater Boston area. It was called Pleasure Island and it was off Rte. 128 in Wakefield. The area today is The Edgewater Office Park located off Audubon Rd. in Wakefield.

Pleasure Island was nicknamed the “Disneyland of the north,” although it was only in existence for a short time. Pleasure Island existed between 1959 and 1969. If you were lucky enough to visit, you have some great memories. I know that the Stop ‘N Shop company and many other businesses had picnics and outings there.

A friend notes, “When I was in the first grade, we went there for our field trip.” Someone else added, “My grandparents used to take us there. We would ride the burros.”

Some of the attractions at Pleasure Island were Animal Land, Old Smokey Railroad, Space Rocket, The Burro Trail, Christmas Wonderland, Friend’s Baked Beanery, Covered Wagon, Indian Village, Pirate Ride and many more.

Guest celebrity appearances were made by Jerry Mathers, who played Beaver Cleaver, and his rock band appeared there. Other stars to take the spotlight at Pleasure Island were Ricky Nelson, Cesar Romero, The Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore), and Michael Landon, to name a few. Some remember Rex Trailer arriving for an appearance in a helicopter. The Three Stooges with Curly Joe De Rita were probably the most exciting act to appear at Pleasure Island.

The most memorable ride when I was there was the boat ride where the big white whale came out of the water, spouting water out of its fake blow hole. I remember figuring out that the whale was actually made out of a huge oil tank. The whale seems to be what visitors remember most about the park.

There’s a group called the friends of Pleasure Island who gather for walking tours of the old amusement park site.

A reader shares this, “I worked at that office park for nine years and they say at certain points in the park you can still see the whale in one of ponds.” I don’t know if the whale is still actually in the water around the area but it sure would be cool to see it popping out it the water.

There is still a sign on Rte. 128 South exit 42 named Pleasure Island Rd.

Most of us have fond memories of family outings at amusement parks. If you want to get a taste of what it was like years ago, take a trip up to Old Orchard beach in Maine. Palace Playland has many of the rides, attractions and games formerly found at a lot of now defunct parks. And the best part of visiting Old Orchard Beach is that you have a very good chance of bumping into another Somerville resident.