The backyard of every child’s dreams was placed in jeopardy when a Pennsylvania grandfather landed in legal trouble after he refurbished a roller coaster.
Michael Chorba, 60, rebuilt the old amusement park ride on his property in Berwick. However, keeping the coaster has been a journey full of twists-and-turns as local officials claim the ride is in violation of local zoning laws.
The 60-year-old grandfather has an assortment of rides in his backyard. But his latest addition, a mini roller coaster may put the whole ‘park’ at risk.
‘They really enjoy this I do this for them,’ Chorba said of his grandkids. ‘You can’t put a price on memories.’
Chorba and his family have been refurbishing the vintage coaster since 2023.
‘We completely tore it apart, degreased it, painted, reupholstered all new seats and new stainless steel hardware,’ he explained to ABC27.
The tight-knit family has only to install lap bars to finalize the renovations.
However, the land the roller coaster sits on is zoned as agricultural, which puts the amusement ride in violation of Mount Pleasant Township’s zoning laws.
‘It has been an unexpected uphill process getting the permits for the coaster,’ Chorba said.
The backyard of every child’s dreams may be no more as a Pennsylvania grandfather’s refurbished backyard roller coaster has landed him in legal trouble. Pictured: Michael Chorba’s refurbished an old rollercoaster on his property
Michael Chorba (pictured), 60, refurbished an old roller coaster on his property in Berwick, however, keeping the ride has been a journey full of twists-and-turns as local officials claim the backyard coaster is in violation of local zoning laws
The 60-year-old grandfather has an assortment of rides in his backyard. But his latest addition, a mini roller coaster (pictured) may put the whole ‘park’ in jeopardy
When Chorba first received the violation he attended a hearing, but the board’s decision resulted in a split vote – keeping the coaster in violation of the town’s code.
‘We filed an appeal in a timely manner and we’re just waiting for the next process of that appeal,’ Chorba said.
Chorba says that the motion was filed during the summer.
The appeal has since been deferred to the Columbia County court before it was ultimately sent back to the township, according to a Mount Pleasant Township zoning officer.
Now, the township is now waiting on a court order to hold a second hearing, leaving the fate of the Chorba family coaster uncertain.
‘Ultimately if it fails they would fine me and at that point I would have to try and disassemble and try and find a new buyer for the coaster,’ he said.
The hopeful grandfather aspires to keep the coaster on its tracks for his family to enjoy for years to come.
Chorba’s local community has since rallied around him – and the coaster – creating a Facebook group called Save Pappy’s Roller Coaster.
Chorba and his family have been refurbishing the vintage coaster since 2023
The tight-knit family has only to install lap bars to finalize the renovations
The 60-year-old grandfather has an assortment of rides in his backyard
The group argues that the ‘issue is an infringement of our rights and a zoning overreach.’
Save Pappy’s Roller Coaster claims the refurbished ride is similar in nature to other ‘outdoor equipment’ including ATVs, dirt bikes, golf carts, outdoor play sets and large bounce houses.
‘They are all equipment that can come and go once you are done with it,’ the group claimed on Facebook.
‘Are all of these other items not permitted on agricultural land? This coaster is not a permanent installation as it’s a piece of amusement equipment designed to be moved around from place to place and set up on blocks,’ Save Pappy’s Roller Coaster argued.
However, the family coaster’s fate remains in limbo.
