PMGA Spotlight: Spring Lake Rec Center, Chadds Ford, PA

The Spring Lake Recreation Center has signage indicating that it was a Gooney Golf at one time. The hillside course had the classic animal theme with signs identifying it as "Ernie's Zoo" and "All Adventure Animals". The lower course is a mish-mash of classic figures (dinosaur, Humpty Dumpty, ostrich, rocketship, jail cell, etc.). The facility also has a driving range and batting cages.

Both of these courses were well-maintained originals (probably from the 1960s) up until 2003 (when these photos were taken). The property, in a booming development area, was put up for sale in 2003. That same year, many of the figures were damaged by vandals during the making of "Jackass: The Movie". It is rumored that Spring Lake's owner actually took money from the movie's producers to allow the slaughter to occur. All the figures (pig, polar bear, rabbit, dolphin, etc.) from the hillside course were damaged and/or removed. Most of the figures from the lower course were damaged.

As of 2005, the place is still open and the hillside course has been cleaned up somewhat though there are no figures left. The figures on the lower course remain in their damaged and deteriorating state.

-- PMGA Spotlight courtesy of Debra Jane Seltzer, AgilityNut