Seattlest: How Fun, Exactly, Was This Forest?

seattlescott69

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:05:26 -0800

I think it's sad to see the Fun Forest go....I just returned to Seattle for good after living elsewhere for 10 out of the last 12 years. Alot of the best memories of my youth (from 12, 13, 14 y.o.) were of hanging out at the Center and the Fun Forest. It was one of the coolest places to go for a kid that age back then (early 80's)....We would hop on the bus from Phinney Ridge and head down there on a weekend night, there was a definite sense of adventure and freedom about it....It wasn't always so run-down and depressing....I realize that times have to change but it still feels like a piece of my childhood is going away as well....

Weazul

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:57:51 -0800

Showing people the oddly quiet and empty fun forest is part of the experience. It seems to fit in with all the other building around the center used for unknown purposes. I'm with the double edged side... sad to see it go but curious as to whats going in it's place. Does anyone remember the almost live skit about the family visiting the fun forest and the children complaining about why the rides were closed? It had some superhero with a spear or something.

Kim Ruehl

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:20:38 -0800

i'm with you, dan. it's totally sad, empty and pathetic. i didn't grow up here, either, though. the closest comparison i have is the sad and empty carnivalish rides at the sanford flea market in sanford, florida. i wouldn't mind if they knocked that down, either.

anybetty

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:54:03 -0800

Way back in the day, the Fun Forest was the first place I was allowed to go without an adult. We spent many Saturday afternoons just hanging out and checking out the cute boys in the arcade. In high school several friends got jobs in the Fun Forest. Free rides, smoking weed, making out in the Ride to Mars... ah sweet youth. Geez - you'd think I was 50 years old. Haven't been back for many years, except to shortcut through. Now its tacky and grubby. Yeah, I'm sad that it's going, but it's time.

BigGreenFrank

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:11:35 -0800

I think people's nostalgic memories of the place are far fonder than reality. (certainly current reality...)

Yarek

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:30:47 -0800

I've got to agree with you. It is sad and empty. I used to go through there every day when I lived in Queen Anne, and it was always pathetic, even on weekends when you think kids would be out and about with their parents. I have no idea how that place supported itself, but just about anything would be a bigger draw than the Fun Forest.