We finally arrived at the park, and of course we could not agree on what ride to go on first. Would it be the Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, a kiddies' Automobile Ride, the Airplane Ride, or the kiddie Chair Planes?

People from Genesee County and the surrounding areas shared this happy memory. If you were born in the late '40s into the '60s you probably would have memories to share. When asked the responses were, "I remember going on picnics with my family. It was a big treat to go to Boulder Park. I remember getting sick on the Ferris Wheel. It was the best time of the week because we went as a family. It was one of my happiest childhood memories. It was the only time I did not fight with my brothers, as long as I got to pick the first ride."

The man responsible for our memories was Phil Morrot. He bought the Reynolds Farm and Feed Mill on Phelps Road. With the help of his sister Emily they would create Boulder Park. He selected the area because it was the heart of Indian Falls. It was located between two great hills in the narrow valley of the Tonnewanta, now called the Tonawanda Creek. It was the site where six Indian Trails met. It was sometimes described as a well hidden fairy spot, blessed by God and nature.

The Morrot's were not the first who wanted to utilize this beautiful area. In 1929, Ely S. Parker's grandson, Arthur, a New York State archeologist, endorsed a proposal by Nathan Strauvis Jr., a member of the New York State Senate, to preserve its beauty as a state park. He was interested because at one time his famous grandfather owned the area. The owner at the time, knowing the land was in demand, raised the price to an amount the state was not able to afford. Another proposal was to tear down the mill and build steps leading to the gorge below connecting the Tonawanda Creek with Diver's Lake. This would have made a horseshoe park. This was another failed dream.

In 1949 Morrot's vision for Boulder Park opened. The area covered 14 acres, including Morrot's home. Hundreds of automobiles as far as Buffalo, Rochester, and Olcott Beach were part of the motorcade going to the Boulder Park.

The first rides to be constructed were the famous merry go round or as some call it the carousel. It replaced the old apple processing building. Emily Morrot Bourgard, Phil's sister, designed the carousal. It was built by Herschell Company and it was said that the carousel was the best product Herschell Company ever built.

The merry-go-round was one of the kind. It had 32 horses and seven unique animals that included a giraffe, an elephant, a camel, a reindeer with real horns, a lion, tiger, and a polar bear. This ride was the first in America to have both an elephant and polar bear. The horses had elongated heads, decorated with plumes and jewels. They were realistic, elaborately carved animals.

The merry-go-round's first home was not Boulder Park. It was first delivered to Olcott Beach, NY. It was operating at Olcott Beach until 1947. That was the same year Phil Morrot began clearing the land for his Boulder Park.

Most people remember the merry-go-round. It was lit by 1,200 electric light bulbs. The lights were reflected back from a double row of beveled mirrors, which were mounted on panels. The mirrors were alternated with original oil painting of local landscapes. A Wurlitzer-style military band organ provided the energizing music.

In 1930, Theo's sister Emily died at the hand of the merry-go-round she designed. She stooped down to pick up a ticket and the knee of the Black Charger struck her.

The park employed at least a dozen workers. Mr. Morrot's children also worked spinning pink cotton candy, taking tickets, serving hot dogs, and ice-cream. It was truly a family-owned business.

In 1960 a mile-long train track was added to the park. It went through the woods on the opposite side of the creek and returned to the park.

Phil retired in 1964 and sold the park. The new owner let the park deteriorate. In 1970 boulder Park was closed and never to reopen.

Today, the once magical Boulder Park is just a happy childhood memory to many of us. It was a time when parents could leave behind their jobs and go as a family to the wonderful world of Boulder Park to picnic and ride all of the rides for $.05. We thought of Boulder Park as our Disney World of Western New York.

Today the area is back to its natural state, with wild flowers, and home to water snakes, raccoons, possum, skunks, and woodchucks.