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Community Corner

Feel the Heat? Real Relief at Land of Make Believe

Park has been operating for 58 years.

The summer of 2011 had been, up until the middle of July, relatively calm and moderately warm in New Jersey. Then everything changed as the state, and in fact the entire country, saw a major spike in heat.

Suddenly, families were no longer asking where they could spend a relaxing day, but where they would find water and shade—usually in that order.

In the quiet Warren County town of Hope, the famed Land Of Make Believe amusement park offers two in one: a traditional park with attractions like roller coasters and a brand=new ferris wheel, and a water park offering, as owner Chris Maier put it, “relief from the heat.”

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“The Land of Make Believe is highly shaded with lots of trees,” Maier said. “The property is at the base of what was once a dairy farm, so instead of hot asphalt parking lots, you have a lot of grass and gravel pathways. Also, unlike many parks where you have to remain in specific areas, visitors are allowed to go anywhere.”

You can bring a picnic lunch and camp out beneath shade trees, or enjoy the Land of Make Believe's other key way to keep cool.

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“We have two very popular water attractions; the Cannonball being one of the premiere water slides around, with the Black Hole coming in at a close second.” Maier said.

It’s was too hot to think too much about whether to make the Land of Make Believe this installment of Day Tripper (our weekly look at destinations that are out of town, but in each, and worth the trip). So instead, we’ll just agree and race you to the wading pool.

DAY TRIPPER DIGEST

Estimated Travel Time: 1 hour

Why it’s Worth the Trip: Hope is a nice, out-of-the-way getaway, far from the more crowded Jersey Shore summer attractions. At the same time, the Land of Make Believe offers just as many thrills and chills.

How to Get There from Here: Detailed Driving Directions

You’ll Probably Get Hungry:  If you choose not to eat at the Land of Make Believe, try the Inn at Millrace Pond or the Mediterranean Diner. The Land of Make Believe allows visitors to bring picnic foods with them (excluding alcohol, glass items or grilling, all for safety). And if you are not looking to provide your own meal, on-site dining includes the Land of Make Believe’s sirloin hamburgers, quarter-pound sirloin hot dogs, chicken nuggets and patties, pizza and ice cream for when you want to cool off inside as well as outside.

While You’re in the Area: Tour the town or check out the Hope Historical Museum, but don’t expect to do a bunch of shopping. Hope’s great, small-town appeal is about relaxing and enjoying the day at the amusement park, and not really about shopping 'til you drop.

The Land of Make Believe has been operating for an impressive 58 years. And with guests ranging from the very young to senior citizens, Maier stresses the Land of Make Believe is not a kiddie park.

“Everything in the park is designed for parents to participate with their children,” he said.

The entry is pay-one-price with free parking, and the on-site food services are reasonably priced, but in temperatures in the 90 degree range and climbing, the most powerful reason to go is the collection of rides and slides that will get wind blowing through your hair and the water flowing between your toes.

“You will definitely find relief from the heat at the Land of Make Believe,” Maier said.

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