Peoples Natural Gas Field, formerly known as the Blair County Ballpark, is home to Altoona’s minor league baseball team. Named after the Horseshoe Curve, the Altoona Curve is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The field opened in April 1999 and is widely known as one of the finest minor league facilities in the United States.
And even though Curve games are an experience on their own, what makes the baseball field especially unique is the rollercoaster that towers over the players behind the right-field wall.
The “Skyliner” is a wooden rollercoaster located within Lakemont Park. The coaster was originally built during 1960 in Roseland Park, Canandaigua, New York. After being relocated to Altoona once Roseland Park closed in 1985, it was designed and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Fascinatingly, the “Skyliner” found its home in Altoona before the Peoples Natural Gas Field even opened.
While baseball fans watch the Altoona Curve play against some of its biggest rivals, the excitement of “Skyliner” riders can be heard as the coaster makes its rounds. The next time you ride Lakemont Park’s “Skyliner,” keep an eye (or arm) out for home runs!