Boardwalk Amusement Centers Ride Into the Off-Season

The only shrieking heard these days at the city's two amusements parks comes from the tools being used to dismantle the rides. Roller coasters don't rumble along tracks, horses don't glide up and down carousel poles, and giant swings don't fly through the air.

It is not silent, but it is decidedly not summer. The noises coming from both  and  are not those of youngsters screaming with excitement but of work crews battening down the hatches for winter.

At Playland on Tuesday, a forklift carrying cardboard boxes trundled along the train tracks, conveying just one load among the many that will eventually fill eight shipping containers. Another lift extended high into the air, carrying a workman to the top of the giant swing where he measured the canopy for the shrink wrap that will protect it against the abuse of salt air, winter winds and bitter cold.

In all, it will take a crew of 10 to 12 workmen three weeks to strip Playland's rides of their arms, lights, seats, cars and other removable parts. Bases that are powered by electricity will remain in place, and will be covered with shrink wrap, which will help protect against the harsh winter elements.

"Sun and salt air are the biggest enemies," Playland owner Scott Simpson says.

Everything that can be removed at Playland—including signs on the bathroom doors—is. A workman used an electric screwdriver Wednesday to remove the Ladies' and Men's signs, as much to thwart off-season vandalism and theft as to protect the signs from winter weather.

Years of experience—Playland has been a Boardwalk presence for more than 50 years, while Gillian's started its amusement empire with a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round in 1930—have taught these operators many tricks of the trade. One is treating tracks, which are not broken down and stored away for the winter, with specially formulated paint designed to last longer in the corrosive salt air of the shore.

At Wonderland Pier, a smaller crew tackled tasks in the week after Columbus Day. An employee said the rides indoors remain intact for use during First Night celebrations. Those on the lower, outside deck are packed up or tarped up. Trash cans are collected and consolidated on an interior ramp.

Once the work of packing away the rides is done, other maintenance begins and continues through opening day 2012. Cracks in the concrete floors are patched. Moving parts are lubricated and greased. Lightbulbs are replaced. Six months of down time goes quickly.

Both parks are open from Easter to Columbus Day. Easter falls on April 8 next year, 200 days from now. Just enough time to purchase your tickets in advance.