Celebrating 180 Years of Memories at Lake Compounce

A Message from our General Manager, Doug Hemphill  

Greetings! 

For 180 years, Lake Compounce has been a place where traditions are passed down from one generation to the next. Since our founding as a picnic park in 1846, America’s First Amusement Park has been a place where families from across New England can gather for a day of fun.  

My name is Doug Hemphill, and I’ve had the privilege of serving as General Manager of Lake Compounce since 2023. Over the past three seasons, one of the most meaningful parts of my role has been meeting families who share generational connections to this park.  

As we step into the 2026 season, we are honored to celebrate this incredible 180-year milestone with you. While we take pride in our rich history and the traditions that have shaped us, our focus is on the future of Lake Compounce. Our goal is to continue to make each visit more meaningful, more memorable, and more enjoyable for you and your family as we are guided by our mission of Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®. 

Behind the scenes this offseason, our team has been working to enhance your experience throughout the park. From the moment you arrive, until your final ride before heading home, we want every part of your day to feel seamless and special. You’ll see this in thoughtful improvements like the addition of a second train on Wildcat, to help shorten wait times, a smoother and more enjoyable ride on our award-winning Boulder Dash, thanks to track upgrades, and refreshed food and beverage offerings, designed to give you and your family more variety. 

Whether it’s the thrill of your favorite coaster, visiting for one of our unique events like Kids Fest, or spending time together as a family, Lake Compounce offers a unique experience for every one of our guests.  

We can’t wait to welcome you back this Saturday for Opening Day as we kick off our 180^th anniversary celebration.  

Thank you for being part of our timeless traditions. 

See you at the park, 

Doug Hemphill 
General Manager