Pittsburgh’s lost Amusement Park: White Swan Park
From 1955 to 1989, a small amusement park known as White Swan Park straddled Moon and Findlay Townships. Although the park was small in size and known as a kiddie park, White Swan had great business.
The park was shut down when the Pennsylvania Department Transportation (PennDot) bought the park and its 40 acres to build a larger highway for the new Pittsburgh airport.
According to local amusement park historian Jim Futrell, the park was special because of the owners.
Roy Todd and Margaret Kleeman, along with her husband, started the park and bought brand new rides for it.
When the park closed, White Swan was home to 15 rides, including a scrambler, carousel, ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl, bumper cars, and two roller coasters. The roller coasters, Galaxi and Mad Mouse, were sold and relocated.
The Mad Mouse was relocated to Lakemont Park in Altoona, PA and has since been retired. The Galaxi found its way to Lubbock Texas at Joyland Amusement Park and continues to thrill guests to this day.
A Senior Business major with a concentration in Management at Robert Morris University, Mike is a Staff Writer and Blogger for “The Sentry.”
In...
Robert • Jun 11, 2021 at 6:16 pm
i worked at White Swann for 2 summers when i was 14, 15, great times. i started in the games and then started running the rides. The turn off the Parkway west was suicidal. i always came in the back way by the airforce base entrance, part of the old roadway is still there
Lisa • Apr 20, 2019 at 6:41 pm
I grew up right up the hill from white swan. We walked the woods every weekend to the park. Does anyone have old pictures of the parkway back in the 80’s by white swan park. It was crazy to cross the parkway to get into white swan park. It was like one long bend with people going 60 mph in the opposite direction and you have to cross over with fingers crossed. What memories
Loni Alexander • Aug 30, 2018 at 9:25 am
HI, I have a Carousel horse with a hard carving that says “Artist Carousel pgh” do you have any information on this carousel maker and if this artist made them for white swan park?
Jeanne George • Jul 30, 2018 at 9:36 pm
My boyfriend grew up in Coraopolis. He told me when he was a teen he operated the train ride among other jobs he had to do. I never had the pleasure of going to White Swan Park but remember passing it often in my childhood.
Bianca • Dec 25, 2016 at 8:31 pm
I loved this park when I was little in the 70’s. I still cherish those memories and photographs at the park it will never be forgotten.
brian • Apr 22, 2016 at 7:38 pm
its in the trolly museum
Jim S • Mar 23, 2016 at 1:22 am
We always went once per year at the beginning of summer. If you took your report card, you got 3 tickets for an “A”, 2 for a “B” and 1 for a “C”. I happened across this site when I just found one of my old report cards with the stamp on it that showed I already received my tickets.
One year I was determined to ride the Mad Mouse. Mom didn’t think I should ride alone, and accompanied me. It was the first time I remember mom looking green.
Such memories.
Jeff Gaines • Feb 11, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Hello all,
I was born in Aliquippa. I was brought to this park many times with my family during the 60’s and 70’s. Fond memories indeed. I was wondering what happened to the amazing train they had there. It was by far my favorite ride and. while many articles speak of the fates of most of the amusement rides … NONE tell of that beautiful trains fate. Does anyone know what happened to it?
Thanks and God bless,
Jeff
Mike Funyak • Mar 3, 2014 at 2:22 pm
Hi Jeff,
I am not sure what happened the train that was at White Swan Park. I will attempt to find out where the train is today. I do know many of picnic benches were purchased by Kennywood and many of them found a new home at Idlewild.
-Mike
Mike Funyak • Mar 16, 2014 at 12:56 pm
Hi Jeff,
I want to inform you I did my research and found out where the White Swan miniature train went at the auction. I don’t know who the actual buyer was, but I do know the train is currently in the hands of a private collector. Thanks for Reading!
-Mike
Anonymous • Jun 13, 2015 at 9:52 am
I’m interested in knowing the location of the train as well. A private collector? Is in in PA or somewhere else? Anyone know the number on the locomotive? Thanks! Chris
Anonymous • Apr 22, 2016 at 7:35 pm
The Train is in Washington Pa at the trolly musuem
at well as the set from Mr.Rodgers
brian • Apr 22, 2016 at 7:41 pm
hi Jeff it was purchased By Mr Rodgers…Now in Trolly museum washington pa as well as his trolly set from the kids show
No name • Apr 16, 2013 at 1:52 pm
MEMORIES!!!
mark bittner • Oct 26, 2012 at 9:21 am
i remember going to white swan park for my father’s work picnics and club picnics. plus lived 10 mins. away. school summer vacations friends and i would hangout there. the place brings back fond memorizes and is surely missed.
Anonymous • Sep 6, 2014 at 10:58 am
My dad’s company picnic used to be at white swan park he worked for Wyatt inc.