Community honors ‘The Father of the American Theme Park’ on Charles R. Wood Day

“We can build a park, we can build a theatre,” says Village of Lake George Mayor Ray Perry, “but we find that parks go away, unfortunately, like Gaslight Village, but to have a day celebrated on a calendar for evermore is something that can never go away.“ Perry, other local officials, family, friends and fans of Charles Wood were gathered in Wood Park Friday morning to celebrate the 1^st Annual Charles R. Wood Day, which by proclamation will be celebrated annually on July 12, the day Wood’s popular theme park, Gaslight Village, opened to the public 65 years ago.

A large stone on the ground next to Perry’s podium was draped with black fabric. As the Mayor spoke, a light breeze blew from the expanse of Lake George through the park, lifting the thin shroud to reveal a newly installed plaque recognizing Charles R. Wood as The Father of the American Theme Park. Charles R. Wood has long been esteemed not only for his creativity and innovations in the entertainment and hospitality industries, which have contributed much to the character of Lake George, but also for his philanthropic works.

His daughter Bobbie Wages spoke at Friday’s event, saying, “He was passionate about his philanthropy. He loved giving back to the community through his foundation, which is still operating today. Although his accomplishments included The Great Escape, Gaslight, Waxlife, Tiki, Charlie’s Saloon, Suncastle, and there were others, I think the one he was most proudest of was the Double H Ranch.” Wood co-founded  Double H Ranch with actor Paul Newman. The Lake Luzerne camp opened in 1993 with a medical team to allow children with serious illnesses to enjoy a summer camp experience.

Former New York State Senator Betty Little also spoke at the event. Little is a Double H board member and says, “It is phenomenal what he has created there.” She says parents of Double H campers tell her, “I can’t believe my kid can come up here and go to camp, and we’re home and we’re not with him all the time, and we are trusting these people to take care of our children.”

The idea to dedicate a day to Charles R. Wood came from one of his biggest fans, Layla Zito. For Zito, Charles R. Wood is more than a well-known businessman. He is the creator of many fond memories. Although her family lived more than an hour away from Lake George, a visit to Storytown and Gaslight Village were her birthday presents each year.

Though Gaslight Village closed more than 30 years ago, Zito continues to collect park memorabilia, and she administers the Gaslight Village Tribute page on Facebook. She also contributed some of her family’s home movie footage to the WNYT documentary, “Charles R. Wood: A Storied Life.”

She recalls her father, who has since passed, telling her, “These are the best years of your life — enjoy them.” He was right, she says, and while “I can never get my dad back, I can honor the man that made so many wonderful memories for my family — and I am sure many others as well — to cherish forever.”

Zito says she suggested that Village officials declare a Charles R. Wood Day because “I cannot think of anyone who is more deserving of this honor. He has done more than anyone for Lake George and the community than anyone I know, and it is long overdue.”

The new plaque honoring Wood is at the southern end of Pappy’s Playground, which runs along the North side of the Festival Commons in Wood Park, the former grounds of Gaslight Village. At the ceremony, Perry said that the Village is working with Warren County to rebuild the playground and add a splash pad. “We are constantly trying to improve and make this a place befitting of a great man such as Charles Wood.” Perry says the project is in the design stage and hopes to have the work completed by 2026.

Featured image: Village of Lake George Mayor Ray Perry is with Charles R. Wood’s daughters Bobbie Wages (center) and Charlene Wood.