Storyland (Ontario)

Storyland is a children’s theme park located northwest of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, near the town of Renfrew, Ontario in Horton Township featuring depictions of classic fairy tale scenes. The park also features a mini-golf course, a small water park, live performers, playgrounds, small rides, and staff dressed as fairy tale characters. It is near the Champlain Lookout in Brown's Bay, where Samuel de Champlain made land. In 1953 a large rock was found in the area bearing a chiselled inscription "Champlain Juin 2, 1613" however the authenticity of the inscription has been brought into question by the date format. The Champlain Lookout was a part of the landscape long before Storyland was founded. The park is normally open from mid-June through to the Labour Day weekend.

History

The Park was founded by Durk and Bonnie Heyda, two immigrants from the Netherlands on 175 acres. They were unable to have children so they chose instead to build story scenes to amuse hikers on their way to the Champlain Lookout, one of the highest points along the Ottawa River and located at the rear of their property. In 1966 the park opened featuring a windmill, several story scenes and a playground. The park continued to expand, adding new scenes at a steady rate until 1973 when Durk Heyda suffered a heart attack and control was handed to family friend John Berkhout. Berkhout continued the parks growth throughout the 1980s, adding mini golf, paddle boats and many additional story scenes, some including moving mechanical scenes. In 2007 Berkhout announced his intention to retire and in the spring of 2008 he sold the park to Ottawa businessman Todd Mattila-Hartman and his company, Great North Parks. Mattila-Hartman had been working on the development of an amusement park in the region for a number of years.


Attractions

  • Champlain Lookout: the highest point in the park with views along the Ottawa River Valley
  • Off Road Rally: small battery powered vehicles
  • Gone Fishin’: a Hampton Dry Boat umbrella ride
  • Fairytale Trail: a series of trails throughout the park containing many of the park’s storybook scenes
  • Mini Golf: a standard 18 hole putt-putt style mini-golf course
  • Splish-Splash Spray Park: a small water park including two inflatable water slides, a splash pad and a Water Wars game
  • Crooked Pond Paddle Boats: paddle boats located on a small pond in the centre of the park
  • Jump & Bounce: an inflatable bounce castle
  • Playgrounds: there are a number of playgrounds located throughout the park
  • Old MacDonald’s Farm: a petting zoo featuring many barnyard animals
  • Storyland Arcade: a typical redemption game arcade

Shows

  • Alice’s Tea Party: characters from the park host daily tea parties (serving apple juice) and sing songs with the children
  • Storytelling Time: characters from the park perform a variety of skits and scenes from classic fairytales, getting details confused and encouraging the audience to yell out the correct information
  • Special Performances: a variety of local performers are brought in throughout the summer to host magic shows, juggling acts and make balloon characters.

Expansion Plans

At the time of the purchase Mattila-Hartman announced plans to expand the park with additional live entertainment, rides and new food options for the 2008 season, and the addition of new larger rides for the 2009 season. In 2008 the battery powered car ride and the Hampton Boat Ride were added as well as an upgraded inflatable castle. In 2009 a Water Wars games and a Sellner Pumpkin Patch ride were added, although the latter didn’t open for the season due to difficulties with licensing. The park has indicated the ride will now open with the 2010 season.

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Kim Edwards
4 September 2011
This place needs some maintenance repairs. The animals could use new homes. A bit sad.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
3.3/10
121 people have been here
Map
637-751 Storyland Road, Renfrew, ON K7V 3Z8, Canada Get directions

Storyland on Foursquare

Storyland (Ontario) on Facebook

Other languages

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
EconoLodge Inn & Suites - Pembroke

starting $69

Days Inn & Conference Centre by Wyndham Renfrew

starting $80

Quality Inn

starting $103

Calabogie Peaks Resort

starting $0

Knights Inn Arnprior

starting $69

Econolodge Inn & Suites - Pembroke

starting $0

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Chats Falls

Chats Falls (in French: Chute des Chats, meaning 'Cat Falls') were a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Coulonge Chutes

The Coulonge Chutes (in French: Chutes Coulonge) is a non-profit

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Emergency Government Headquarters

Emergency Government Headquarters are nuclear fallout bunkers built by

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Champlain Bridge (Ottawa)

The Champlain Bridge (Pont Champlain) crosses the Ottawa River about 5

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tour Eiffel Bridge

The Tour Eiffel Bridge, also known as the Montcalm Street Bridge is a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Prince of Wales Bridge

The Prince of Wales Bridge is a rail bridge across the Ottawa River

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Chaudière Falls

The Chaudière Falls are a set of cascades and waterfall in the centre

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Chaudière Bridge

The Chaudière Bridge (French: Pont de la Chaudière) crosses the O

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Swiss Vapeur Parc

The Swiss Vapeur Parc is a miniature park in Le Bouveret, a village on

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Adventure Island (water park)

Adventure Island is an American water park located northeast of Tampa,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Drayton Manor Theme Park

Drayton Manor Theme Park is a large theme park in the grounds of the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
African Lion Safari

African Lion Safari is a safari park situated in Flamborough,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Flamingo Land Resort

Flamingo Land Resort is located in North Yorkshire, England. Also on

See all similar places