A 1960 Summer Job: Parking Cars At Freedomland

Parking cars may not be a glamorous job, but it was a money-paying job for a recent college graduate. In a new book, Freedomland U.S.A. – The Definitive History, Eugene Edelstein of Hicksville recalls his summer job as a parking lot attendant at this Bronx American history theme park.

Freedomland’s entire story from conception to bankruptcy has rekindled the memories of baby boomers who visited or worked at one of the most innovative and beloved theme parks in America. Freedomland U.S.A. (visit the Facebook group) was celebrated as the “Disneyland of the East.” It survived only five seasons (1960-1964), Contrary to what has become an urban legend, Freedomland’s failure was not caused by the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. The book, published by Theme Park Press, is available on Amazon at the suggested retail price of $24.95.

Parking Cars, Fond Memories

Edelstein was a parking lot attendant during the park's inaugural season. Freedomland opened on June 19, 1960, soon after he completed his senior year at CCNY. Edelstein is retired now after a long business career with Long Island companies. Over the years, he has become a master of crossword puzzles, and he enjoys participating in tournaments with his son and daughter.

“The first day [at Freedomland], we were instructed not to park cars in a certain area, because the lot had sunk [due to the construction on marshland],” recalled Edelstein. “We weren’t really given any instruction as to how to do our job, just to wave cars in. There were a few experienced parking guys who led us. You would either be on a line of attendants waving cars along, or standing in front of the parking spot, ‘pulling’ them in, motioning to your left to get the driver to turn the wheel in that direction [his right], and vice versa.”

Though rainy days were “no work” days for many employees at Freedomland, Edelstein recalled that he had plenty of activity during good weather days. The responsibilities included changing a car tire or two for park guests.

“I know we got reduced, maybe it was even free, admission to the park,” added Edelstein, “so I went with my then-girlfriend (now my wife) a number of times. Definitely fond memories!”

The History Of Freedomland

Freedomland U.S.A. was conceived and built by C.V. Wood and his Marco Engineering Company. Known to many as Woody, he was Disneyland’s first employee and he brought Walt Disney’s imagination to life by leading the team that built that park. He then created Marco Engineering to build theme parks and other venues across the country. Several continue to prosper.

Unknown to Woody and the general public at the time, Freedomland property owner William Zeckendorf, Sr., (the same person behind the Roosevelt Field Mall), local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a “placeholder” until property variances permitted significant development on the marshland. The variances provided the green light for the construction of Co-op City, the largest cooperative housing community in the world. A shopping center was added about a decade later and an indoor mall was constructed on the remaining undeveloped land during 2012.

Though the park is long gone, many high school and college students of the day still fondly recall their summer jobs at Freedomland. As for Edelstein, maybe Freedomland one day will become the answer to that final crossword puzzle clue that will vault him to a worldwide tournament victory.