I remember this park and the train as a small child. I went to Denali Elementary school and sometimes after school my mom would take me to play on the train. Also remember an ice skating rink at the park. Great articles and great memories. Thank you
So familiar! Somewhere, I have a few old photos and a recorded tape from one of the last few times my mom and dad visited us together, in Anchorage. My oldest girl was almost four, and my oldest boy was two. The photos are from Nulbay Park, and the recording from before and after the park trip, with my dad and my son having a couple of very earnest conversations ABOUT the park. That was in the fall of 1972, shortly before school started. My dad passed away in November 1973, so those memories are very dear to me.
In later years, we generally spent most of our "kid time" at Valley of the Moon. So this video has a TON of great memories, all the way through. Thank you!
We used to call the train on display at Delany Park "The Moose-gooser" and spent many a winter afternoon/evening at the ice rink next door. One memorable winter night my parents (for whatever reason!) left my younger sister and I to skate at the ice rink with instructions to walk to my aunt's house at 601 (i think) 11th Ave when we were done. We were maybe 8 and 6 or 9 and 7 at the time. (Un heard of in today's parenting climate, but the 50's were a different time/place). Well, neither my parents nor my sister and I had ANY idea about a curfew, so we were REALLY surprised when a policeman began rounding us youngters up who had no visible "adult supervision." Being the older sibling, I talked as hard and fast as I could to explain to the officer that "my aunt lives right over there" (you probably could see the house in the daytime)!! "Please! My mom said for us to walk over there when we're done skating." But, no---the officer insisted we had to go to the station with him. Meantime, my little sister is terrified! "Will they put us in jail?!?!" "No, of course not!" (I'm only 8 or 9--what do i know!?). So down to the station we went. To this day, I have no idea what my parents were doing that we got left at the ice rink by ourselves, but they are gone now, so i can't ask, assuming they'd remember! Perhaps their errand took longer than they expected, but they did arrive at the station finally and we went home, none the worse for wear. But that was one unforgettable skating adventure for two little Anchorage girls in the late 1950's.
I remember this park and the train as a small child. I went to Denali Elementary school and sometimes after school my mom would take me to play on the train. Also remember an ice skating rink at the park. Great articles and great memories. Thank you
Sam – We have something in common… I went to Denali Elementary as well. Thank you for your kind words. Great memories... Mike
So familiar! Somewhere, I have a few old photos and a recorded tape from one of the last few times my mom and dad visited us together, in Anchorage. My oldest girl was almost four, and my oldest boy was two. The photos are from Nulbay Park, and the recording from before and after the park trip, with my dad and my son having a couple of very earnest conversations ABOUT the park. That was in the fall of 1972, shortly before school started. My dad passed away in November 1973, so those memories are very dear to me.
In later years, we generally spent most of our "kid time" at Valley of the Moon. So this video has a TON of great memories, all the way through. Thank you!
Linda – so great to hear that this edition brought back memories for you.
We used to call the train on display at Delany Park "The Moose-gooser" and spent many a winter afternoon/evening at the ice rink next door. One memorable winter night my parents (for whatever reason!) left my younger sister and I to skate at the ice rink with instructions to walk to my aunt's house at 601 (i think) 11th Ave when we were done. We were maybe 8 and 6 or 9 and 7 at the time. (Un heard of in today's parenting climate, but the 50's were a different time/place). Well, neither my parents nor my sister and I had ANY idea about a curfew, so we were REALLY surprised when a policeman began rounding us youngters up who had no visible "adult supervision." Being the older sibling, I talked as hard and fast as I could to explain to the officer that "my aunt lives right over there" (you probably could see the house in the daytime)!! "Please! My mom said for us to walk over there when we're done skating." But, no---the officer insisted we had to go to the station with him. Meantime, my little sister is terrified! "Will they put us in jail?!?!" "No, of course not!" (I'm only 8 or 9--what do i know!?). So down to the station we went. To this day, I have no idea what my parents were doing that we got left at the ice rink by ourselves, but they are gone now, so i can't ask, assuming they'd remember! Perhaps their errand took longer than they expected, but they did arrive at the station finally and we went home, none the worse for wear. But that was one unforgettable skating adventure for two little Anchorage girls in the late 1950's.
Becky Watkins Dugan, Anchorage resident 1955-1969
Becky – that is some story. And yes, I imagine that it was a scary one for you and especially your younger sister.