Miccosukee Park [RCT3]

[808FreqI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

I thought I'd give it a go with a park. It's my first attempt, and I'm kind of learning on the fly. My buildings still suck.




8/26/2010

from NaplesNews.com 3:10 p.m. EST

The Naples City Zoo, a place with a history of cultivating the imaginations of children and adults alike since the 1940s, is in danger of having to close it's doors forever. The Zoo's attendance has declined over the last decade, and county commissioners are worried the zoo will have trouble paying the bills. For years the zoo's financial troubles have been buffered by revenue the zoo received from parking space for the Coastland Center Mall which sits aside the zoo. Those revenues are due to disappear as the mall's developer has built a large multi level parking structure rendering the parking space on the zoo's land useless. The Zoo's plan to attract visitors by installing a few fair style rides has proven unsuccessful. The city council met last night in an emergency meeting to discuss the Zoo's future, and several other important figures were in attendance. One of them being Rodney Stevens, a retired engineer, and owner of "Stevens Kingdom", the small family fun park located in Naples. Stevens' investment group is in talks with the city to purchase the Zoo and convert it to a full service theme park, featuring thrill and family style rides.

While the council deliberates before the vote, we'll leave you with a few pictures from a recent outing to the Naples City Zoo.



Stay linked for news concerning the future of the Naples City Zoo.

[davisal771Flap, Flap, Flap. I'm a sexy girl!]

Looks cool! I'll be following this one for sure!

[CalicoastersI own the website www.donkey.com]

Looks good so far, and I really like the story line.

[808FreqI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

8/30/10

From naplesnews.com

The BlackRock Group (BRG) has won the final round of the auction selling off the Naples City Zoo. With the decision comes a new round of accusations of backroom dealing among councilmen. An unnamed executive with Simon Malls, the competing bidder, accuses the Naples city council of practically "giving" the land to BlackRock. "They didn't want another mall competing with Coastland, which is partially owned by one of the chairmen of the city council. This is the last time Simon will ever attempt to invest in the city of Naples."

The next step is to decide to what do with the land. One thing is for sure, the Zoo will be closing it's doors. Rodney Stevens, the CEO of the BlackRock Group L.L.C., sat down with Naplesnews.com "For years the Zoo hasn't been able to compete for consumers' entertainment dollar. Animals are cute, but cute doesn't pay the bills." When asked what the land will be used for, "That is under consideration. Naples commercial real estate market is shattered, and being so close to a well respected entity such as Coastland Center Mall, commercial property doesn't make sense. But there is a strong need for residential. Say, apartments. We are looking at all options in that regard. Then, of course, there is the family entertainment option." Publicly, that is the option that Stevens prefers, already being involved in the family entertainment industry. "Viability is the issue. High speed rail connecting Miami, Southwest Florida, and Tampa and central Florida make things like large scale theme parks viable in today's market. Things like overbearing city restrictions and regulations make that viability a bit bleaker." Currently there is a height restriction of one hundred feet for 'amusement rides' in the city of Naples. Such restrictions would make it hard for a theme park to compete in today's competitive family entertainment industry. "Time will tell."


We leave you with some shots of closing day. A somber day for sure, but who knows what the future will bring!

A good turnout for the last day.

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The crowd favorite giving it's fans a good ride.

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To add insult to injury, the Ferris Wheel broke, keeping riders stuck for over an hour.

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The crowd files out as the zoo closes it's gates for the final time.

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The animals were removed almost immediately after the last person left the zoo.

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Making the last rounds.

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[808FreqI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

From naplesnews.com's Online Entertainment Blog -- "Jimmy's Corner"

First things first, a picture that I took just after the zoo closed. The first bulldozer at work at demolition. I post it now, because I was going to post it earlier (forgot I had taken it), plus it gives perspective (more on that in a moment).

The very first dig into the ground. Beginning of the end for the zoo.

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Though there has been no official word on what the land for the zoo will be used for, there is activity on the site.

Supplies being stockpiled.

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Vehicles are large piles of wood.

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More updates soon. I leave you with that 'perspective' shot. The same before, just fast forward a bit. Seems like they are building onto the old zoo ticket-house.

No more Tilt a whirl. Construction crew parking lot added. Scaffolding galore.

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[paradisecoasterI know more about donkeys than women!]

So, can this be the start of a new themepark?

[808FreqI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

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[paradisecoasterI know more about donkeys than women!]

Just my thoughts

[808FreqI'm a know-it-all about donkeys!]

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Announcing Miccosukee Park, opening soon in beautiful Naples, Florida. Operated by the newly created Blackrock Seminiole Entertainment group, the park will offer fun for the whole family. Ranging from classic style flat rides to thrilling roller coasters, Miccosukee Park will be Southwest Florida's best place to relax, let loose, and have fun!

[djbrcace1234TPR Game Exchange Moderator and RCT/RCT2 hacker]

Hopefully it will be a nice little park to visit.