Logo by Chris Mercaldo

Friday, June 29, 2012

Herry's Hand Over Water

1980 Image from YouTube

Herry's Hand Over Water was an attraction that opened with the park in 1980. It was named after Herry, the strong but gentle Sesame Street Monster.
 image from the  Sesame Place Facebook page

The attraction was essentially a jungle gym with water below. There were a central hub with rings dangling in one direction, rope ladders in two directions and a crawl tube in the fourth direction.
Image from eBay
1980 Image from YouTube
As with any playground equipment, there is a risk of injury. Herry's Hand Over Water was no exception. The play area came under the safety spotlight when a Philadelphia Inquirer reporter's son broke his arm falling from the rope ladder.
Image from Reading Eagle July 17, 1983

The Herry's Hand Over Water play element was converted into the Sesame Construction Company in 1984.

1985 Image from YouTube


Today the area is home to Big Bird's Balloon Race. It was the very back right hand side of the park in 1980, but with the expansion over the years the entrance of the park has shifted.

 Image from Google Street Views.

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