Fairytown

Fairytown USA opened at Middle Island on “Decoration Day, May 28, 1955. The 28 acre park was owned by brothers, Thomas and Charles Spata.

The park drew children from all over long Island and many local schools took field trips to the park. Maybe even a few of you might have some memories of visiting the park.

Children had the opportunity to visit their favorite nursery book characters and places. Inside the park Humpty Dumpty could be sitting on his wall, or you could take a visit to the little red school house. An entertaining visit could always be had with the old lady in the shoe, or dropping by the house of the 3 little pigs house, and Little Red Riding Hood was always on her way to grandma’s house.

There were swings, and sand boxes. The 2 restaurants at the park were leased out.

The rides at the park were operated by Nunley’s of Long Island. Nunley’s was chosen to operate the wet boat rides, pinto fire engines and a Hodges hand cart unit. The rides that were installed were from a former Yonkers spot on Central Avenue that was claimed for New York Thruway work forcing Nunley’s to move. Mrs. Nunley’s interests include more than 30 kiddie rides and carousels, which she leased out to others.

By 1962 business had tailed off and the final closure came in 1964 when the contents of the park were sold at auction. We’d like to think that Humpty Dumpty sits on a wall on some lucky kid’s property.

The property was then bought by Murray Nemeroff, President of the whites Department store chain. He built a $3 million dollar building. While people were excited to see a large retail unit come to the area, there wasn’t much happiness as Artist Lake North was filled in.