It was a great day for a ceremony. Martin Kane, president of the Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum, made some opening remarks about how the park is still so well remembered by so many northern New Jersey residents. He explained how volunteers had performed all the work including the movement of the boulder from a local quarry and the use of a large crane to lift the boulder into place. Recognized was local contractor, Tom Valiante who performed much of the work.

In attendance with past concessionaires, park fans, current residents and Mount Arlington officials were Ray D’Agostino and Alan Cuda. They represented the park’s ownership for most of its history. Al Cuda is the grandson of Louis Kraus, who founded the park in 1922. Ray originally was a partner in the park with his father and Larry Donofrio from 1948 to 1964 and would own the park by himself for another 14 years. Each offered insight into how special a place it was – the local amusement park where everyone seemed to know each other.

Art Ondish, mayor of Mount Arlington and also a former concessionaire at the park, pointed out that some thirty years before we would have been standing right about where the Dodgem Cars were located. He added a few of his own park memories.

With that Ray D’Agostino pulled the cover and the plaque was revealed to confetti and cheers. The crowd then broke up into small groups with much discussion about the roller coaster, carousel, nickel nights, popcorn and cotton candy. It may have been 25 years since Bertrand Island Park closed but you would have never known it on this beautiful September afternoon.