A 115-year-old amusement park in Crawford County needs a gift of $300,000 or it will not open this year, its operations director said today.

Conneaut Lake Park still owes money for start-up loans from three previous seasons, so it no longer can borrow. Operations Director George Deshner said he hopes wealthy people with warm feelings for the park will step forward to save its season.

"What we need is a benefactor," he said. "Or we need six benefactors willing to give us $50,000 each."

The park, home of the Blue Streak roller coaster, went bankrupt three times under private owners. It is now a nonprofit community enterprise overseen by a Common Pleas Court judge. He recently rejected the park staff's idea of raising operations money by selling 3.3 acres on the beachfront for a condominium development.

Mr. Deshner said the park had been banking on the property sale to clear its debts and put it on solid footing.

Located 95 miles north of Pittsburgh, the park normally opens on Memorial Day weekend. Mr. Deshner said he should have a staff of 30 working now to prepare the rides, midway and beach house for customers. Instead, a skeleton crew of five remains, hoping for an infusion of cash.

Mr. Deshner said the park still could open on Memorial weekend if it can secure the $300,000 by the middle of May.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.