What City Is Clay’S Park?

Clay’s Park is a 500-acre amusement resort and campground located in Lawrence Township, Stark County, Ohio. Founded in 1953 by Clayton Hannon, it started off simply as a small trailer park before evolving into an expansive family resort over the decades (https://clayspark.com/). Situated just northwest of Canton, Clay’s Park is easily accessible for nearby major cities like Akron and Cleveland.

With its numerous attractions including roller coasters, water slides, live shows, and festivals, Clay’s Park has become Ohio’s premier amusement resort destination. It provides entertainment for all ages, making it a popular spot for families, thrill-seekers, music lovers, and anyone looking for wholesome fun. As both an amusement park and campground, Clay’s Park is unique in its ability to offer both day-trip excitement and overnight accommodations.

Since its humble beginnings, Clay’s Park has grown tremendously in size and offerings. Today, it is beloved as a one-of-a-kind Ohio attraction that creates lasting memories for the millions of guests that visit annually.

History

Clay’s Park was established in 1947 by Otis Clay on a 300-acre family farm in Lawrence Township near North Canton, Ohio. After serving in World War II, Otis wanted to create a place for family entertainment and recreation. He started with a few amusement rides, a refreshment stand, and picnic tables.

In 1966 after Otis Clay’s death, his sons Robert and John O. Clay took over operating the park. They continued expanding the park by adding more rides, games, food options and entertainment.

One key event was the opening of the Safari Golf miniature golf course in 1968, which became a very popular attraction. Over the years, additional roller coasters, water rides, games, shows and facilities were added to grow Clay’s Park into a major local amusement park.

Today Clay’s Park spans over 100 acres with rides, games, miniature golf, water slides, roller coasters, entertainment and more. It continues to be owned and operated by the Clay family, now in its third generation.

Sources:

https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2020/12/17/clays-park-resort-lawrence-township-sold-michigan-company/3923474001/

Size and Scope

Located in Northeast Ohio’s Stark County, Clay’s Park is a massive 500-acre campground and recreation facility. With over 500 acres to explore, it offers a wide range of attractions and amenities for visitors.

Some of Clay Park’s major features include:

• A large Adventure Water Park with slides, pools, and splash areas
• An expansive Jellystone Park Campground with over 200 sites
• Event venues and pavilions for hosting festivals, weddings, and private events
• Sporting facilities including volleyball, mini golf, batting cages, and more

Clay’s Park welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually. Both locals and out-of-town guests are drawn to the resort to enjoy its recreational facilities and special events like concerts, craft fairs, and holiday celebrations.

Notable Attractions

Clay’s Park offers a wide variety of exciting rides and attractions, including over 30 water slides, roller coasters, go-karts, mini golf, and more. Some of the most popular rides include The Twist and Shout, which is an extreme roller coaster with multiple inversions, and The Black Hole, an enclosed water slide that plunges riders into complete darkness.

One of Clay’s Park’s most unique offerings is the on-site zoo and animal exhibits, featuring giraffes, zebras, camels, and other exotic animals. The park also has one of the longest alkaline pipeline water slides in the Midwest, called The Python, stretching over 500 feet long.

In 2017, Clay’s Park was awarded the Golden Ticket for Best Family Water Park in the World from Amusement Today magazine. The park also holds the record for most water slide rides in one day, set in 2019 when one visitor rode 96 slides in a 24 hour challenge.

Impact and Significance

Clay’s Park has had a significant impact on the North Lawrence community and surrounding areas. The park plays an integral role in bringing tourism revenue to the local economy. According to a 2015 article on IndeOnline, “Clay’s Park, Kamph said, does a good job bringing in events that inject money into the local economy.”

One of the park’s major events is the annual Yankee Peddler Festival, which attracts over 100,000 visitors each year. Many visitors travel from out of state specifically for the festival. Local businesses and vendors also benefit from the influx of tourists.

In addition to economic impact, Clay’s Park also provides entertainment and recreation for families in the community. Generations have grown up enjoying the amusement park rides, water park, concerts, and other attractions. The park has become a beloved local institution since first opening in 1963.

Clay’s Park will leave behind a lasting legacy for the North Lawrence area. Even as the park evolves over time, it will be remembered for the fun it brought to so many over the decades.

Future Plans

Clay’s Park has exciting plans in store for future growth and upgrades. In November 2021, the park was acquired by Northgate Resorts, a camping and resort company, setting the stage for expansion (https://woodallscm.com/northgate-growing-branching-out-into-new-areas/). According to Northgate, plans include adding 20 new deluxe cabins in 2022, with additional upgrades and renovations to come (https://www.indeonline.com/story/news/2021/11/23/deluxe-unit-20-new-cabins-coming-clays-park/8718487002/).

As Clay’s Park approaches its 75th anniversary in 2025, more celebrations and expansions are likely. The park aims to upgrade rides and exhibits on an ongoing basis to provide new experiences. Recent investments have focused on water slides, splash pads, mini golf, and other family-friendly attractions. With the support of Northgate Resorts, Clay’s Park is poised for a new era of growth and innovation while retaining its charm and community roots.

Awards and Recognition

Clay’s Park has received numerous awards and recognition over the years for being one of the top amusement parks and campgrounds in Ohio. Some of the industry honors Clay’s Park has received include being named Campground of the Year multiple times by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (https://clayspark.com/). The park has also won the Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor for five years in a row as of 2018 (https://www.campjellystone.com/park/clays-park/).

In terms of visitor and travel awards, Clay’s Park was voted #1 Amusement Park in Northeast Ohio by WKYC’s A-List. It was also featured in Yahoo! Travel’s Top 10 Places to Take the Kids article in 2015 (https://www.campjellystone.com/park/clays-park/).

Clay’s Park has been featured in various media outlets as well, including appearances on Good Morning America, Fox 8 News, WKYC and more over the years. The park’s unique attractions like the World’s Largest Waterball and Dinosaurs Alive have attracted media attention.

Visiting Clay’s Park

Clay’s Park is open daily from mid-May through Labor Day. During the peak summer season, the park is open from 10am to 10pm. Off-season hours vary but the park is generally open weekends only from September through October (https://clayspark.com/).

Ticket prices range from $29.99 for a regular day pass to $54.99 for an all-day pass that includes the waterpark. Discounted tickets can be purchased online in advance. Parking is free (https://www.campjellystone.com/park/clays-park/).

Clay’s Park is located in Lawrence Township, Stark County, Ohio, about 10 miles south of Akron. The address is 13600 Patterson St NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614. The park is easily accessible from I-77, Akron-Canton Airport, and major highways. Free parking is available onsite (https://ohio.org/things-to-do/destinations/clays-park-resort).

Visitors recommend arriving early on weekends and hot days to avoid long lines. Consider bringing your own tubes and mats for the waterpark to save money. Food and drinks are allowed in the park, so packing a cooler is suggested. The all-day pass is a good value for families wanting to enjoy both the theme park and waterpark (https://www.campjellystone.com/park/clays-park/).

Competitors

Clay’s Park faces competition from other major amusement and theme parks in the region. According to Zoominfo, the park’s top competitors include Lake George RV Park and Cherrystone Campground & Cabins (https://www.zoominfo.com/c/clays-park-resort/33281220).

In terms of size and scope, Clay’s Park is significantly larger than most competitors. With over 225 acres, it dwarfs competitor parks like Lake George RV Park. Clay’s Park also offers far more attractions and activities than typical competitors. This includes major roller coasters, water rides, mini golf, go karts, arcade games, and more.

When comparing attendance, Clay’s Park again leads the region. According to Zipppia, competitors like NPC International and Kirkwood Mountain Resort have annual revenues around $1.2 billion and $50 million respectively, while Clay’s Park generates over $3 billion annually (https://www.zippia.com/clay-s-park-resort-careers-106701/revenue/). This massive revenue difference suggests Clay’s Park sees several times more visitors per year than competitors.

In summary, Clay’s Park is the preeminent amusement and theme park in the region based on its expansive size, wide variety of offerings, and high annual attendance. Competitors struggle to match the scale and attraction power of this amusement park giant.

Conclusion

Clay’s Park has cemented itself as a staple attraction in the Midwest over its long history. With over 100 acres of amusement rides, games, food, and entertainment, it provides fun for all ages. Some of the most notable features include the historic Grand Carousel, the 50-foot Ferris Wheel, and the award-winning waterpark.

While the park has evolved with new rides and attractions over the decades, it retains its old-fashioned charm and family atmosphere. The beautiful grounds with shaded picnic areas make it a relaxing place to spend the day. With affordable prices, Clay’s Park remains accessible to people across the economic spectrum.

As one of the top amusement parks in Ohio, Clay’s Park has created decades of happy memories for visitors. It continues to be a place where parents can bring their children to ride the same carousel they enjoyed as kids. Clay’s Park has become an institution and source of pride in its community. It seems destined to entertain future generations for years to come.