Pleasureland Park Coming To Great Oak Park

Over the past six years there has been a lot of work done in many areas to redevelop the 40-acre tract of land now called Great Oak Park.  One promise the park committee made was to prevent the history of Pleasureland and Muller’s Park to fade from memory. 

The park redevelopment began with site tours and discussions with the Pleasureland Park owners. Since that day the owners have been working closely and have actively participated in the clean-ups with the Oakland residents.

Former Muller’s Park owners and family members have also given the committee tours and shared the history about the north half of the park. In support of the historical preservation, the committee discussed some of the best ways to maintain the great history.

A couple of years back, an Indian Hills High School student contacted the committee and asked for ideas on how she can support the development. A project was discussed that she fully embraced which was to place historically significant signs at important Pleasureland locations, labeling artifacts that still exist in the park.  Foundations, partial walls and the location of the iconic pools will be memorialized for generations with brand new metal signs.

The two years was plenty of time for Oakland resident Katherine Bonini to design, fundraise and get the necessary approvals for her Girl Scout project. In early May, Katherine set up tables and held a bake sale at the recreation complex to raise funds.

With the assistance of former Councilman Chris Visconti, five signs have been developed and designed. These signs will have etched photos of the artifacts as they existed back in the day.

Included on the signs will be a write-up about the artifact, which was created through Katherine’s collaboration with Joe Moramarco (son of Pleasureland owner from the 1950s – mid 1970s) and Mike Tersigni (co-owner of Pleasureland from mid 1970s until its closing).  The signs have the seal of approval of these Pleasureland  “royalty,” and we are confident that those who spent wonderful summers of their youth bronzing at the pools, singing along with the musical acts at the bandstand and creating memories that last a lifetime will feel the same.

On the evening of August 14 at 8:00 p.m. everyone is invited for a special unveiling ceremony of the signs.  Hope to see you then.