This Rare Footage Of A New Jersey Amusement Park Will Have You Longing For The Good Old Days

Bowcraft is a small, family-friendly amusement park located in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The park got its start back in 1946 when an archer and skiing enthusiast purchased the property and added a shop and ski slope. Over the years, other attractions were added including rides for small children (kiddie boats, merry-go-round, motorcycle jump), families (drop zone, super slide, barnstormer) and thrill seekers (crossbow roller coaster, paratrooper, scrambler). There are nearly two dozen rides to enjoy along with an arcade and midway.

The park has made headlines recently, with several outlets reporting that this season would be its last, many saying the land was sold to developers with the intention of building apartments and townhomes. This was disheartening news to locals who love the park, but according to a recent statement by Bowcraft, it isn’t true. The statement says the park will be open for the rest of the 2016 season as well as 2017, and the land has not been sold. To celebrate this fantastic news, let’s look back on some fun footage of the park from the ’80s and ’90s.

Have you been to Bowcraft? Share your memories with us in the comments. For more New Jersey nostalgia, check out my previous post on Palisades Amusement Park. It may be gone, but will never be forgotten.