Heaven on earth: Hazle Park

Back in the days when Coal was king, it wasn't all work and no play for Hazleton area residents. Even poor workers had opportunities for weekend recreation, thanks to Hazle Park, a scenic 40-acre wooded getaway in West Hazleton established by Alvan Markle Sr. in 1892.

The park, featuring natural springs, had first been set aside for family picnics in 1861. Markle, who was looking for passengers for his electric railroad, the Lehigh Traction Co., opened the site as Hazle Park in 1892 when he erected a large arch over the entrance at 202 W. Broad St.

A year later, he bagan offering public transportation to and from the park. Special excursions from nearby towns, and from as far away as Allentown, brought huge crowds to the park. The admission charge: 15 cents.

Thousands of families, church groups and ethnic groups came by trolley, horse and buggy, or by hiking to the spacious grove to attend such festivities as ‘‘Welsh Day,’’ ‘‘Irish Day,’’ ‘‘German Day,’’ ‘‘Italian Day’’ and ‘‘Methodist Day.’’ There was no class distinction at Hazle Park. Hard-working miners and their families _ of all nationalities _ relaxed side by side with coal company officials and their families.

As one elderly resident put it, ‘‘In those days, Hazle Park was where the action was. Free band concerts were presented in the summer, as well as outdoor weiner roasts. Ice skating and sleigh riding were popular in the winter. ‘‘But the thing I remember most about Hazle Park was the beauty, the infinite beauty, of the landscape. There were lush flower beds and dazzling decorative shrubbery. And the park always was kept meticulously clean."

Eventually, a large grandstand was built, and games between teams from neighboring towns drew capacity crowds. In 1909, the park got its own vaudeville-movie theater, which presented two performances a day, except Sunday.

The theater soon developed its own stock company of professional actors. John Phillip Sousa, known around the world for his stirring marches, made a special personal appearance with his band at the park in the summer of 1912, presenting afternoon and evening concerts to overflow crowds. Also popular at Hazle Park was its large dancing pavilion, the scene of weekly dances that attracted crowds throughout the 1920s, 30s, 40s and 50s, featuring outstanding local orchestras and nationally known touring bands.

The park's attractions increased year by year, from bowling and handball alleys, lawn tennis courts, baseball, bicycling, and boating and swimming on the spring-fed lake.

Also increasing were the amusement rides, which included a mammoth roller coaster known as ‘‘The Greyhound,’’ in addition to the Tumble Bug, the Scrambler, Airplane Swings, The Old Mill and Fun House, Arcade and Amusement Center.

The stock market crash in 1929 and the resulting Depression triggered the beginning of the end for Hazle Park. Although unemployment was widespread, the park survived dwindling attendance. Another major blow came in 1932 when the Lehigh Traction Co. ceased trolley operations. The WB&H Railway ceased operations a year later.

During World War II, the park continued its role as an entertainment center, offering roller skating, dancing, rides and concession stands. As the 1940s ended, a final blow _ television _ cut further into the park's popularity. Home entertainment was taking over, and families that once went to the park now stayed at home to enjoy small-screen TV images of Ed Sullivan, Milton Berle, Ted Mack and Arthur Godfrey.

The summer of 1956 rang down the curtain on Hazle Park. The park was closed, but it's story is preserved at the Greater Hazleton Historical Society Museum.