Gruberg's Playland

 Max Gruberg bought Gruberg’s Playland to Long Beach in 1946. The park was located against the boardwalk at the street level. It included a carousel, Tilt-a-Whirl, a rocket, fire engine, streetcar, and a wet boat ride to name a few. There were food concessions and an arcade. Prices ranged from nine to twenty cents. The park expanded in the late 1940s to 75,000 square feet and new rides and games were added including a Ferris Wheel and a penny arcade.

At that time, he used only female ride operators, feeling they were more efficient with the handling of children. A new carousel was added in 1951, which sadly was sold two years later when the property size of the park was reduced. The park was completely renovated in 1952 and added two new rides: a locomotive and a tank. Seven concession stands were also added at this time.

By the 1950s, the park was re-named Playland and it was large enough to consist of two sections. There were rides for adults on the boardwalk and the kiddie park was on the street below. An ad in 1972 called the park Gruberg’s Kiddyland. At this point, there were 32 rises on four-acres of land open from April until September. The kiddie park was closed down by the late 1970s.

 

Sources:

Berman, Marisa L. Historic Amusement Parks of Long Island. The History Press, 2015