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Post by AnthonyV on Feb 19, 2005 22:10:38 GMT -5
Does anyone recall the big gorilla that used to be part of a go-cart and miniature golf amusement area on the side of Rio Grande Ave going back towards the parkway?
I think it was across the road from the Visitors Center right before the bridge...The last time I ever saw the big monkey it was falling over amidst high grass and weeds.
I guess the amusement area had not been used in quite some time and become yet another victim of neglect; another sad memory of another thing that has become lost forever in the Wildwoods these days.
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Post by ROADSIDE FOOL on Feb 19, 2005 22:24:13 GMT -5
Here ya go Read this to find out all about good old George the Gorilla www.roadsideamerica.com/roger/QueryTips.php3?tip_AttractionName=george+the+gorilla&tip_Town=wildwood&tip_State=NJ&Submit=GoWildwood, New Jersey - George the Gorilla The giant gorilla on the road into Wildwood has suffered a catastrophic collapse. In the Fall of 2002, George's ankles gave way and he pitched forward. Now only his oversized gorilla arms hold him up. At the neglected "Islander Fun Park," George stands in an island of weeds at the center of an old go-cart track. The rusting staircase is still climbable, but getting creakier by the day. We visited with a CBS video crew in tow. They resisted our suggestion to shoot from under George, for some reason.... George used to have two playground slides jutting from his chest holes, and was a popular amusement on the Wildwood boardwalk. About five years ago he was retired and moved out to the Fun Park. Estimates to repair him (should the park ever open again) are a prohibitive $6,000. [Roadside America Team, 06/13/2003] Directions: NJ 47 (Garden State Parkway exit 4), about halfway between the Parkway and Wildwood. Wildwood, New Jersey - George the Gorilla Sold and Moved The George the Gorilla statue that was used as a slide ride at the Islander Fun Park has been sold and moved to Larry Valenzano's Gas Station and Grill in Burlington County. They now call the gorilla "Mighty Joe." The gorilla was once named Kongo Pongo and Magilla when it was residing on the Wildwood Boardwalk before its move to the Islander Fun park. Sixteen people bid on the gorilla statue but the owner sold it to Valenzano for 2000.00. It sold for 50,000.00 when it was first built. It needed extensive repairs to the ankles and supports and took five months of welding and other work. He named it in honor of his deceased son who passed away in 1999. [Mike Vlkovic, 09/19/2004] |
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Post by AnthonyV on Feb 19, 2005 22:33:41 GMT -5
Well, it's at least nice to know that the gorilla is still around serving a purpose even if it's not in Wildwood! Thanks.
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Post by FlyinGN on Feb 20, 2005 9:41:28 GMT -5
yea hes falling apart but still there..
Frank
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Mar 9, 2005 19:45:37 GMT -5
Is this the location of where there used to be water slides like on a hill or somthing? I kind of remember there being water slides there at one time, and of course other things.
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Post by wildre on Mar 9, 2005 20:31:30 GMT -5
George was located on the right hand side, along side the gas station almost as soon as you go over the George Redding Bridge as you're leaving Wildwood. There was a waterpark among other things located there.
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Post by FlyinGN on Mar 9, 2005 20:56:37 GMT -5
the go cart track there was my favorite as a child..
Frank
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Mar 12, 2005 10:29:58 GMT -5
I just read somewhere that they are building condos in this location! What the crap is going on down there?Im really starting to get pissed off  |
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Post by DjDoornob on Mar 17, 2005 17:05:33 GMT -5
That gorilla used to serve as my "welcome to Wildwood" sign when making the 2 1/2 hour ride from the city. God bless the internet- that thing was just a broke-down playground slide in an empty field when I used to pass it, now all these years later I can talk about it on a message board and find pictures on the web!
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Post by FlyinGN on Jun 3, 2005 8:09:45 GMT -5
the monkey is gone..  |
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Post by upsygrad on Jun 3, 2005 16:36:48 GMT -5
To be honest, Condos off shore are probably better than in the middle of the Crest. Also I'm all for getting rid of any property on either 147 or 47, going into the island that is rundown or abandoned. A nice looking entrance to the island encourages tourism.
I say, rehab the Gorilla and put it somewhere on down town Pacific ave. Build a nightclub around it or something.
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Post by FlyinGN on Jun 4, 2005 8:52:36 GMT -5
he is gone..
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Post by Robert on Jun 4, 2005 11:12:59 GMT -5
Is he the gorilla from Fun Pier? It said "and was a popular amusement on the Wildwood boardwalk". Also, remember KONG on Morey's Pier? How many gorilla statues did WW have?
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Jun 4, 2005 12:17:28 GMT -5
That is the only 2 I can remember. I bet that gorrilla was the one from fun pier. Can anyone confirm this?
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Post by DjDoornob on Jun 13, 2005 9:14:33 GMT -5
the gorilla is featured in the most recent issue of Weird NJ. It has found a new home outside a Deli (still in NJ).
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