Bowcraft Amusement Park
A formerly operating family amusement park on U.S. Route 22 in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Bowcraft Amusement Park, also known as Bowcraft Playland, was a small family amusement park located on U.S. Route 22 West in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. It developed from a 1946 retail and recreation venture established by Ted Miller, an enthusiast of archery and skiing. Miller initially operated an archery and ski-equipment store with a small ski slope on the property and called the site Bowcraft Park. Over time, the business evolved into a seasonal amusement destination rather than remaining primarily a sporting-goods and ski facility. The park served the local and regional family-entertainment market. Its attractions combined children’s rides, family rides, thrill rides, and low-cost midway activities. At the time of its final operating period, the park had 21 rides intended for a mixture of children and adults. Its attraction portfolio included a carousel, Frog Hopper, helicopters, Big Trucks, a motorcycle-themed ride, kiddie boats, pony rides, a balloon ride, Drop Zone, Super Slide, Train Xpress, Speedway, Popp, a Dragon Coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, bumper cars, a pirate ship, Musik Express, Paratrooper, Scrambler, the Crossbow roller coaster, and the Swingin’ Gym or Flying Cages. The site also included a children’s play area, an arcade, and carnival-style midway games. Bowcraft generally operated on a seasonal schedule, opening on weekends from May through October and running daily during the principal summer period from June through Labor Day. Guests could either buy tickets for individual rides or purchase an all-inclusive Fun-Pass offering unlimited rides. This pricing structure allowed the park to serve both occasional visitors seeking a particular attraction and families planning a longer day of entertainment. The property changed over the decades. During the 1980s, Bowcraft included a miniature-golf course, but that attraction was later removed as the park and its parking area were expanded. The park remained a recognizable local landmark and also appeared in filmed entertainment. The conclusion of the 1991 film Mortal Thoughts was filmed at the park, which was also featured on the movie’s poster. The opening scene of the 1994 film North was filmed at Bowcraft as well. In 2016, a developer purchased the property and proposed replacing the amusement park with a residential project consisting of 190 apartments and 10 townhomes. Scotch Plains scheduled a hearing on the development application for September 26, 2016. Bowcraft’s operators stated at the time that the development proposal did not mean an immediate shutdown and indicated that the park would open for the 2017 season in April. The park ultimately continued operating until October 2018, when it permanently ceased operations. In November 2018, its official websites and social-media pages were deactivated, and the rides were advertised for sale through various online listings. Several attractions were subsequently relocated, including the Dragon Coaster to Clementon Park and Splash World, the Galleon Pirate Ship to Alabama Splash Adventure, and the Crossbow roller coaster to Tosselilla Summer Park in Sweden. Bowcraft is therefore a defunct regional amusement-park brand whose legacy is tied to family recreation in central New Jersey and to the reuse of several of its rides by other parks.
History
Bowcraft’s history began in 1946, when Ted Miller opened an archery and ski-equipment store in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. The property included a small ski slope, reflecting Miller’s interest in skiing as well as archery, and was named Bowcraft Park. The original sporting and outdoor-recreation concept gradually developed into a broader entertainment operation. Over the following decades, the site became a seasonal amusement park known as Bowcraft Amusement Park or Bowcraft Playland. Its appeal came from offering a relatively compact collection of rides for different age groups. Children could use attractions such as the carousel, Frog Hopper, helicopters, Big Trucks, kiddie boats, pony rides, and a motorcycle-themed ride. Families could choose from attractions including the balloon ride, Drop Zone, Super Slide, Train Xpress, Speedway, Popp, Dragon Coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, and bumper cars. More intense attractions included the Galleon Pirate Ship, Musik Express, Paratrooper, Scrambler, Crossbow roller coaster, and Swingin’ Gym or Flying Cages. Bowcraft also offered non-ride entertainment, including a children’s play area, arcade games, and midway carnival games. In the 1980s, the park had a miniature-golf course. That course was later removed as the operators expanded the amusement-park footprint and enlarged the parking area. The park’s operating model remained seasonal, with weekend operation from May through October and daily operation during the main summer season from June through Labor Day. Customers could purchase tickets for individual rides or choose a Fun-Pass that provided unlimited rides. The property had a presence beyond the local amusement market through film production. The conclusion of the 1991 movie Mortal Thoughts was filmed at Bowcraft, and the park appeared on the film’s poster. The opening scene of the 1994 film North was also filmed at the location. The park’s later history was shaped by redevelopment pressure. In 2016, a developer purchased the property and submitted plans for a residential project comprising 190 apartments and 10 townhomes. Scotch Plains scheduled a hearing about the proposal for September 26 of that year. Although the proposal suggested that the amusement park’s long-term future was uncertain, the operators publicly indicated that closure was not imminent and said the park would open for the 2017 season as usual. Bowcraft remained in operation until October 2018, when it permanently closed. The official websites and social-media accounts were deactivated the next month, and the park’s rides were listed for sale. Some of the attractions continued their operating lives elsewhere: the Dragon Coaster went to Clementon Park and Splash World, the Galleon Pirate Ship went to Alabama Splash Adventure, and the Crossbow roller coaster went to Tosselilla Summer Park. The park itself is now defunct, but its former attractions and its role as a regional New Jersey entertainment landmark remain part of its legacy.
- 2018
Park permanently ceases operations
[1]Bowcraft closes permanently in October. Its websites and social-media pages are deactivated the following month, and its rides are put up for sale.
- 2016
Residential redevelopment proposal emerges
[1]A developer purchases the property and proposes replacing the park with 190 apartments and 10 townhomes. Local officials schedule a hearing on the application.
- 1994
North uses Bowcraft as a filming location
[1]The opening scene of the film North is filmed at Bowcraft.
- 1991
Mortal Thoughts is filmed at Bowcraft
[1]The conclusion of the film Mortal Thoughts is filmed at the park, which also appears on the movie’s poster.
- 1980
Miniature golf forms part of the attraction mix
[1]During the 1980s, Bowcraft includes a miniature-golf course, which is later removed to support expansion of the park and parking area.
- 1946
Bowcraft Park is established
[1]Ted Miller opens an archery and ski-equipment store with a small on-site ski slope, creating the business that later develops into Bowcraft Amusement Park.
Products and positioning
A seasonal, locally oriented family amusement park offering a compact mix of children’s, family, and thrill attractions with both pay-per-ride tickets and an unlimited-ride pass.
Kiddie rides
Children’s rides
Bowcraft’s children’s attraction group included a Merry Go Round, Frog Hopper, Helicopters, Big Trucks, Motorcycle Jump, Kiddie Boats, and Pony Rides. These rides were designed for younger visitors and formed the lower-intensity portion of the park’s offering.
Family amusement rides
Family rides
The family-oriented lineup included Balloon Ride, Drop Zone, Super Slide, Train Xpress, Speedway, Popp, Dragon Coaster, Tilt-A-Whirl, and Bumper Cars. Together, these attractions provided a middle range between children’s rides and the park’s more intense thrill offerings.
Thrill amusement rides
Thrill rides
The thrill portfolio included the Galleon Pirate Ship, Musik Express, Paratrooper, Scrambler, Crossbow roller coaster, and Swingin’ Gym or Flying Cages. These rides supplied higher-intensity experiences for older children, teenagers, and adults.
Ancillary entertainment
Arcade and midway attractions
Beyond mechanical rides, the park offered a children’s play area, arcade entertainment, and midway carnival games. These attractions broadened the visit beyond ride tickets and supported the park’s family-entertainment positioning.
Admission product
Fun-Pass
The Fun-Pass was Bowcraft’s all-inclusive admission option. Instead of paying separately for each attraction, a pass holder received unlimited rides, while visitors could alternatively buy tickets for individual rides.
Brand decisions
2018
Closure and disposition of ridesOtherBackground
Bowcraft permanently ceased operations after its final seasonal operating period.
Action taken
The park was closed, its official digital channels were deactivated, and its rides were offered for sale through online listings.
Aftermath
Several attractions moved to other amusement parks, including the Dragon Coaster, Galleon Pirate Ship, and Crossbow roller coaster.
2016
Operators continue seasonal operation despite redevelopment proposalStrategyBackground
A developer proposed replacing the Bowcraft property with a residential project, creating uncertainty about the amusement park’s future.
Action taken
The park’s operators stated that closure was not imminent and indicated that Bowcraft would open for the 2017 season as usual.
Aftermath
The park continued operating for a period after the proposal but ultimately closed permanently in October 2018.
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