Park Days

The day would arrive, when I was off of work.
We would get in the old blue Ford van and drive for 30 minutes.
All three of you were excited, as we drove.
Just the thought of the park brought enthusiasm.
Your eyes brightened and smiles lit your face, as you leaped from the van.
All three of you ran down the sidewalk to reach the play ground.
There you swung on the swings, climbed the yellow steps of the slide, and played with the old red and white fire engine.
The blue monkey bars were a favorite to climb on.
The train was heard coming around the track.
We waved to the train and its riders, as it went by.
The whistle blew "choo-choo", as it rounded the corner.
It tooted again, as it went through the tunnel.
Children could be heard screaming, as the train went through the tunnel.
Their voices echoed, while they were leaving the tunnel.
A giant sand box, is where you played for brief times.
We bought tickets to ride the train, carousel, and play putt-putt.
We waited down at the gate to get on the train. Randall, Shandall, and Daniel would decide where they were going to sit before the train stopped.
They got on the train and were excited, as they waited.
Come on lets go is what they would say.
The train would start off slowly, with a click and a clack it would round the curve on the iron rails.
Then down and around it would go .
The children on the playground waved, and the train clicked, clacked around the area.
People in the boats, on the lake, waved. Randall, Shandall, and Daniel waved back, as they smiled. They waved like they were boasting at getting to ride the train.
Get ready Randall and Shandall always said. Here comes the tunnel. Scream loud.
As the whistle blew, under the tunnel Randall, Shandall, and Daniel screamed as loud as, they could to hear their voices echo back at them.
The train would stop at times to let the Mallard ducks cross the track.
The train driver blew the horn to encourage the ducks to move.
The train pass lasted all day. Sometimes they would ride the train several times, in a row, just to get their fill.
The ducks liked to be fed. We took old loaves of bread to feed them.
When you broke the bread up and placed it on the ground, ducks came up close to feast for the day. All three of them ran to the carousel to get a horse they liked.
We waited in line and they all three loved to pick out her favorite color horse.
The music played, as the carousel went around.
When the ride was over Randall, Shandall, and Daniel would run over to the brown building to get a putter.
Beside of the building there was a putt-putt course.
It was a joy to watch Randall and Shandall try to beat each other at putt-putt.
Most of the time, I took a picnic lunch and a cooler of drinks.
We ate lunch under the shelter just beyond the putt-putt course.
After lunch it was free reign time.
Randall and Shandall would go back and forth from the train, to the carousel, to the putt-putt course, or to the playground.
I kept up with Daniel. He was younger than Randall and Shandall were.
When the day was over and it was time to go home.
We loaded the van and headed for home.
Silence filled the car, as we drove. Written by: Sandra Lee Hartsell
Daily discount passes are available for $4.50 per person. Miniature Golf is $2.50 per round. The park has swimming available daily for $4.00 per perosn per day per entry. Pool/Water slide fee is $6.00 per person a day. Call for details about Canoe rental, boat rentals, pedal boat rentals,and fishing at (336) 883-3498 or (336) 883-3503. High Point City Lake Park, 602 West Main St. Jamestown, N.C. 27282.
The High Point City Lake Park has 10 shelters to chose from. This is a great place to rent a shelter for a company picnic or church outing. You can also rent the gym for $35.00 an hour. To camp at the park it is $16.00 per night with or without electricity. Tour boat rides are $2.00 per ticket. $50.00 per half hour or $90.00 per hour. Pool/Water slide discounts. A group of 15 swimmers is $45.00. Children under 3 are free with a paying adult 18 or older.
Special pool or water slide rentals are: $100.00 per hour for the pool or waterslide. $200.00 per four for pool and waterslide. This fee does not include a lifeguard. The lifeguard fee is $12.00 per hour. You must call to reserve your spot.
Camp Ann Rental: This camping area can be reserved for an 8 hour period. There is a $600.00 charge and a contract is required. this is an exclusive area, away from the public. Rides are not included.