Glen Echo Park is a public park in Glen Echo, Maryland. It is managed by the National Park Service as part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. It began in 1891 as a National Chatauqua Assembly and operated as an amusement park until 1968. As of 2005, the park hosts an arts education program and is also known for its antique carousel and its Spanish Ballroom.

The park is near to several notable sites such as the Clara Barton house and the C&O canal. Glen Echo used to be a trolley park accessible by the street car system; the park was originally designed to be the last stop on the cars so people would go there after work. The original park had several attractions, few of which are still operating today. Originally there was a ride called the Caterpillar, and it was designed to be a love ride, covering you with a hood and using centrifugal force to push you against your date. Also, there used to be a shooting gallery which was stopped in WWII due to ammunition shortages.

The park also had a large pool, the remains of which can still be seen today. The park also operates a large old carousel that was the hit of the region at the time. You used to be able to ride around, and if you were daring enough, reach out and pull a ring out of a holder next to the carousel. If you got the gold ring, you would get a free ride. The carousel only operates in the summer, as the mechanics are liable to rust in the winter. The park also operated a large bumper car ring as well as several water attractions.

The park was originally designed to educate people, and for a couple years it flourished. A misprint in the paper said however that the mosquitos in the area had malaria, and the companies business stopped. Later the railroad company operating the street cars built up an amusement park to attract riders. The streetcars were segregated, so only whites were allowed into the park. After a series of protests, the park opened the doors to all races. The park is currently under the watch of the National Park Service and has undergone a renovation to have art deco style opening gates as well as one of the last streetcars of D.C. Interestingly, the streetcar has modern day advertisements on the inside, such as Fox News and HBO. The park's carousel and large children's theater remain an attraction for kids of all ages in Bethesda and Glen Echo.

Pictures of Glen Echo Park are available on Category:Glen_Echo. Image:GlenEcho_BumperCarPavilion.JPG|The Bumpercar Pavilion Image:GlenEchoCuddleUp.JPG|The Cuddle Up

External link

• Glen Echo Park, from the National Park Service

Montgomery County, Maryland | United States National Park Service