LIBERTY — “Permanently closed.”
Those two words — emphasized in blood-red letters — top a Google search of Lake Juno Park, the once-popular summertime swimming and recreation destination off 7253 Lake Juno Rd. in Liberty.
The establishment — still fondly remembered by many who swam and sunned there — was founded in 1970 by Liberty resident Junior Jenkins, who operated the park until his death, at age 93, two years ago.
Jenkins’ obituary from June 2018 noted the park he established “was visited by tens of thousands of people throughout the years.”
In addition to the lake itself, the park Jenkins built and operated for 48 consecutive years boasted acres of recreation area that included two large water slides, a swimming pool (with three diving boards), paddle boat rentals, mini-golf, covered picnic shelters, toddler-size water slides on floating docks within the lake, camping and an arcade that included skee-ball, air hockey tables, billiard tables, pinball and classics video games of the period, Pac-Man and Galaga.
For a fee of $10 per adult and $5 for children 11 and under, the park — and its many amenities — was open to the public seven days a week. Though primarily a summertime spot, campgrounds and an RV park on site were open year-round.
Lake Juno Park was popular for church retreats and family gatherings.
“Oh, so many memories there,” one former visitor wrote on Lake Juno Park’s Facebook page, which despite the owner’s passing and the park’s subsequent closure, remains active. Though the Facebook page inaccurately declares the business is “open now,” a string of comments from those who remember the park from its glory days serve as a continuing tribute to the now-defunct recreation site.
“Used to love going there as a kid,” wrote another.
“Sad to hear this,” added another. “Love this place.”
“Horrible news,” another commenter added. “I have so many great memories from Lake Juno.”
Michael Rogers, the Chatham County auctioneer, was also among the thousands of folks who once enjoyed the nearby amusement area.
“I remember going there with a church youth group when I was maybe 10 or 12 years old, in the late 70s, early 80s,” Rogers said. “I didn’t go there a lot, but was a really unique place, kind of a mini-Myrtle Beach pavilion.”
Today, Rogers, through his auction business, Rogers Auctioneers Inc., is handling Lake Juno Park’s last hurrah: the selling of its contents, from the paddle boats to the Pac-man machine, as well as Jenkins’ home, which is also on the property.
“It’s one of the most unique auctions we’ve ever done,” said Rogers.
And it’s generating a lot of buzz as many of the folks who formed cherished memories at the park as kids bid on keepsakes, including, Rogers said, several clocks (approximately 20 of them) with “Lake Juno Park” etched into their design.
“We’re selling everything,” Rogers said.
That includes pin ball machines, arcade and video games, restaurant equipment and boats.
Online bidding began on June 2 and continues through June 11 at 7:30 p.m.
He’s had inquiries about the Skee-Ball machine from as far away as Wisconsin.
“I’ve had a lot of calls,” Rogers said. “We’ve heard from a lot of people who want to have some kind of memorabilia from the park because they have such great memories of going there.”
Randall Rigsbee can be reached at rigsbee@chathamnr.com.