Outdoor Recreation
Walking Trail and Picnic Areas
Our park features a 1.4-mile paved walking trail. Additionally, the 8.5-mile paved Lackawanna Trail begins in Eldridge Park and runs all the way to Lowman Crossover in the Town of Ashland.
The park has many fine picnicking areas, including several picnic tables, shaded picnic areas, and plenty of flowers, trees, and birds for you to enjoy.
There is a gazebo on the lake with benches, so you can snack while you enjoy the view. If you need to serve more than a couple of guests, visit our rentals page for larger venue options.
Sports Fields, Skate Park, and Water Activities
At Eldridge Park, you’ll find several baseball fields, soccer fields, a skating park, and a 9-hole disc golf course. Disc golf rentals are available at the gift shop during our regular business hours.
A new 2500 square foot Splash Pad will be opening for the 2023 season.
Dog Park
The dog park is a fenced and shaded area of our park reserved for dog socialization. It’s open daily from dawn until dusk. There is no charge to use to the dog park, but there are some dog park rules posted at the gate.
Dogs must be at least five months old and vaccinated for rabies, distemper/parvo, and bordetella.
Please remember that the Dog Park is unsupervised, and we depend on you and your fellow dog owners to make the experience fun for all of our fuzzy friends. For locals, if you are looking to make new friends for your dog and join in play dates, follow the Elmira Dog Park Friends Facebook group.
Seasonal Amusement Park
Our seasonal amusement park is open Weekends from Memorial Day weekend until Sunday September 8th. We do close for inclement weather. Specific hours are posted on our hours page.
When you purchase ride tickets, gifts, and concession stand items, you are helping to fund our mission to preserve and rebuild Eldridge Park! Thank you for your support!
Tickets can be purchased at the gift shop in the Carousel building for $1.50 each.
The Carousel
Cost: 1 Ticket per rider ($1.50)
Height Requirements: Children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
History
Take a ride on one of the fastest traditional carousels in the United States! It is one of only 20 remaining carousels in the United States with a working Brass Ring Feeder.
This 1890s Looff carousel was originally brought to Eldridge Park in 1924 by Bob Long. In the late 1980s, the carousel was dismantled and the animals were sold off at auction, leaving only the motor behind. Through the efforts of the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society, this majestic ride was restored and reopened in 2006. It is one of the few remaining carousels in the world with a working ring feeder.
Kiddieland: Pony Carts, Kiddie Boats, Turtle Chase, and Mini-Train
Cost: 1 Ticket Each
Height Requirements: Riders must be under 54 inches and max 200lbs per cart for Pony Carts & Kiddie Boats. Adults can ride Turtle Chasers & Mini-Train.
History
Throughout the middle of the 20th century, the Pony Carts ride was a centerpiece of Eldridge Park’s Kiddieland, bringing joy to all the little ones who were too small to ride the larger attractions. In 2013, the Pony Carts returned to the park to take a prominent place just across the creek from the Thunderbirds. They are sure to entertain the smallest of us for generations to come! The Kiddie Boats let our youngest guests be the captain of their own ship and The Turtle Chaser lets our littlest riders enjoy the thrill of a roller coaster without the fright. Added in 2010, the Mini-Train is powered by an electric vintage-like steam engine. It provides everyone–young and old–with a tour around the outside of the mini-golf course!
The Thunderbirds
Cost: 2 Tickets per rider ($3.00)
Height Requirements: Riders 36″ to 47″ must ride with a responsible adult. Riders over 48″ can ride alone.
History
In its heyday, the Sail Planes ride took people soaring over the watery edges of Eldridge Lake. Some swear you could even fly high enough to skim some nearby trees! In 2012, a Sail Planes-type ride known as the Thunderbirds was brought to the park and restored in its likeness to reprise its high-flying role as an integral part of the Eldridge Park experience.
Jasper II and The Paddleboats
Cost: 2 Tickets Each per rider ($3.00/ea)
Weight Capacity: Paddle Boats can accomodate 4 riders with a combined maximum weight capacity of 600lbs
History
Native American myth tells of a sea serpent named Gaspara that guards the deep channels of Lake Minnetonka (what we now know as Eldridge Lake). The Jasper motor boat was built in the early 20th century, complete with a carved dragon head, as a tribute to this mythical beast. Unfortunately, after continued use, the original Jasper boat had to be decommissioned. In 2008, the legend was resurrected when the park introduced the Jasper II all-electric motor boat. Listen closely and you can hear his roar! Jasper II is joined by a colorful assortment of foot-powered sea dragons, the paddle boats.
Life jackets are provided for riders of all ages and sizes and wearing a life jacket is required to ride. You may bring your own life jacket, if desired.
Mark Twain Mini-Golf Course
Cost (Ages 12+): 4 Tickets ($6.00)
Cost (Ages <11): 3 Tickets ($4.50)
History
The Mark Twain Miniature Golf Course was built in 2010. This golf course is decorated in the Victorian style of the original Victorian Walking Park created by Dr. Eldridge, including statues of classical gods and goddesses, benches, and flowering bushes throughout. The course also features famous quotes by Mark Twain himself, and a miniature train that circles around and passes under the waterfall that leads to Jasper’s cave. In 2012, the front gate to the golf course was dedicated to Chemung County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeffrey T. Alexander, who was killed in a car crash while on duty in June of 2011.
The Tilt-a-Whirl
Cost: 2 Tickets.
Height Requirements: Riders 36″ to 47″ must ride with a responsible adult. Riders over 48″ can ride alone.
History
This vintage Sellner-manufactured ride last operated at Bushkill Park in Easton, PA, in 2004 until flooding hit the park. Bushkill Park was owned and operated by Tom Long, brother of our Bob Long–the patriarch of the Eldridge Park amusement era. We purchased the ride and the restoration has been a labor of love over the last several years. The restored ride was opened in 2021.
Attractions
To experience everything we offer, please visit our website using your tablet or desktop computer. The mobile website has been optimized for the grab-and-go information you seek.
Outdoor Recreation
Year-round, you’ll be able to use Eldridge Park’s 1.4-mile paved walking trail, which connects to (and begins) the 8.5-mile paved Lackawanna Trail. A lake-side gazebo, picnic benches, and plenty of grassy areas provide perfect picnicking places. Soccer and baseball fields, a 9-hole disc golf course, and a dog park are also available free for community use.
Seasonal Recreation
Our seasonal amusement park is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoon from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, as weather allows. Ride tickets can be purchased for $1.50 each (cash or credit card) at the shop in the Carousel building. Rides include The Carousel (1 ticket); Kiddieland, which has pony carts, kiddie boats, turtle chase, and a mini-train (1 ticket each); the Thunderbirds (2 tickets); Jasper II and the Paddleboats (2 tickets each); the tilt-a-whirl (2 tickets), and the Mark Twain Mini-Golf Course (4 tickets for ages 12+ or 3 tickets for children less than 12 years old).
Events
We always have lots of family-friendly events during the summer season! Check out our events page to see what’s happening.