Bid comes in for one section of Ponderosa Park

YOUNGSTOWN — Only one portion of Ponderosa Park sold at a Mahoning County sheriff’s sale this afternoon, but it fetched more than anticipated.

A 68.37-acre section of the park at 11471 W. Western Reserve Road in Goshen Township, sold for $700,000, nearly five times more than the appraised value of $144,000.

The high bidder was the mortgage holder, represented by Atty. Leo Puhalla.

Puhalla declined to comment on the intentions for the park property other than to say all options will be evaluated.

The park is owned by California-based Ponderosa Park Resort Inc.

That portion of the park has an occupied caretaker’s house and has $97,420 in unpaid taxes.

The 45.45-acre front section of the park at 9362 state Route 45 was scheduled to be sold at the sale this afternoon, but was pulled by Gary J. Rosati, the county’s foreclosure lawyer, because the legal description for the property was “not adequate.”

The county hopes to put that property up for sale in May after the release of another legal description.

That portion of the park contains the dilapidated concert pavilion that seated up to 3,800 people, the Red Garter Saloon and a building containing a guitar-shaped swimming pool.

During the 1990s, Ponderosa Park drew legendary performers, such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Faith Hill, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, for its summer concert lineup.

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com