97-year-old wooden coaster Wildcat restored at Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce is now open for the season with a refreshed ride experience for Wildcat, a century-old wooden roller coaster.
New Track for Wildcat
Wildcat debuted in 1927 at Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, Conn. During the 2023 off-season, manufacturing company The Gravity Group replaced over 800 feet of Wildcat’s wooden track. The new pieces, placed vertically instead of horizontally, make for a smoother ride experience.
The coaster reopened April 27, 2024, the first day of the park’s operating season.
“Enhancing the Overall Guest Experience”
“This season, our new park leadership team of industry veterans is focused on enhancing the overall guest experience throughout the park,” said Doug Hemphill, general manager of Lake Compounce. “We are proud to have restored the Wildcat coaster while also maintaining its integrity as an all-wood roller coaster as the ride celebrates nearly 100 years.”
Workers also installed over 1,000 feet of new steel track on Boulder Dash, another coaster at Lake Compounce.
Lake Compounce Tickets
Lake Compounce is operated by Palace Entertainment, the same company behind Story Land in New Hampshire, Water Country in New England, Kennywood in Pennsylvania, and other parks.
Lake Compounce’s adjacent water park, Crocodile Cove, will open for the season May 25, 2024.
See the Lake Compounce operating calendar and explore single-day ticket and season pass options.
