“Lost Parks” – Preserving History One Park at a Time

Part of the fun of doing the “Lost Parks” series, is knowing that we’re preserving history on film. That being said, we certainly didn’t think we were *THIS* close to losing one of our recent shoot locations:
http://www.scottsvalley.org/downloads/council/2013/11-20-13.Agenda.pdf
According to the latest Scotts Valley City Council meeting, the permit for building houses on the former Santa’s Village site has been changed – to add a demolition permit for the Polo barn (the last piece of the park still standing).
The Polo Barn also holds an incredible secret – we won’t give it away – but you should definitely check out our Santa’s Village episode when it debuts next month!

The Polo Barn, which dates back to the 1930’s – and is the last piece of Santa’s Village still standing – is now scheduled for demolition as soon as possible, according to the latest Scotts Valley City Council minutes. Photo by ACE NorCal – used with permission.
Apparently, they’re okay with demolishing a historic (albeit in rough shape) landmark in the process. Alternative plans include razing the building and building a replica, or having Lennar Homes (the developer) pay a one lump sum to the city in the amount of $1 million to allow to, “demolish and forget it.”
Thankfully, the Santa’s Village episode was able to capture this soon-to-be-gone structure – so it will be preserved foreever, despite the roar of the bulldozers.
November 22, 2013 | Categories: Lost Parks, Television Production, Theme Parks | Tags: amusement park, bay area proud, CA, demolition, great american thrills, historic landmark, history, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, lennar homes, lost parks, lost parks of northern california, new show concept, new talent, polo barn, preserving history, roller coaster, santa's village, scotts valley, scotts valley city council, theme park, thrill ride, tv host, tv production | Comments Off on “Lost Parks” – Preserving History One Park at a Time
Photo of the Day: Giant Dipper Flash-Lapse
In honor of the Coaster Guy visiting Santa Cruz, I dug through the archives to find an awesome boardwalk shot…
They say going to visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is like stepping back in time. With the effect that I captured with this photo, it almost looks like the Morgan trains ARE going back in time, a la “Back to the Future.”
Now, if only the idiot didn’t have his cell phone out, it would have been perfect. I’ll definitely be going back this summer again – but with a tripod!
As always, a big thanks to my friends at BorrowLenses for allowing me to capture such beautiful photos with their gear.
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May 29, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Photo of the Day | Tags: amusement park, amusement park review, amusement parks, arthur looff, beach boardwalk, borrow lenses, borrowlenses, borrowlenses.com, californias gold, giant dipper, great american, great american thrills, historic landmark, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, looff, national historic landmark, nikon, norcal, photo of the day, photography, roller coaster landmark, santa cruz, santa cruz beach boardwalk, the next huell hoswer, theme park, theme park overload, theme park review, theme parks, travel photography, west coast, wooden coaster, wooden roller coaster | Comments Off on Photo of the Day: Giant Dipper Flash-Lapse
Photo of the Day: Looff Carousel Ring Machine
As the last of the great seaside amusement parks, visiting the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is like literally stepping back in time. It is home to not one, but TWO national historic landmarks (The 1911 Looff Carousel and 1924 Giant Dipper roller coaster.) Both of these federal landmarks are unique, in that people can actually ride them, rather than admire them from a distance.
This shot was one of my first forays with the stunning Canon 5D Mark III – and the results were simply spectacular. Look for the cut on the finger from the previous pass at the ring machine…now THAT’S dedication!

The 1911 Looff Carousel at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of only 5 left in the world with an operating ring machine.
As always, a big thanks to my friends at BorrowLenses for allowing me to capture such beautiful photos with their gear.
Interested in purchasing / using some of my photos? Check out my 500px: http://500px.com/GreatAmericanThrills
View my videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/GreatAmericanThrills
Follow me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GreatAmericanThrills
Tweet me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/krowberry
+1 me on Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/1/115502587437263155125/posts
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May 26, 2013 | Categories: Amusement Parks, Photo of the Day | Tags: 1911 looff carousel, 5d, 5d mark III, amusement park, amusement park review, amusement parks, beach boardwalk, borrow lenses, borrowlenses, borrowlenses.com, brass ring, brass rings, californias gold, canon, carousel, eos, eos 5d, great american, great american thrills, historic landmark, Huell Howser, kris rowberry, kristopher rowberry, looff, looff carousel, mark III, merry go round, national historic landmark, norcal, photo of the day, photography, ring machine, roller coaster landmark, santa cruz, santa cruz beach boardwalk, the next huell hoswer, theme park, theme park overload, theme park review, theme parks, west coast | Comments Off on Photo of the Day: Looff Carousel Ring Machine