An Enchanted Forest Built on Imagination: Honoring Roger Tofte

This week on the Where In The Park Podcast, Amanda takes a heartfelt and detailed look at the life and legacy of Roger Tofte, creator of Enchanted Forest — the beloved family-owned theme park nestled in the forests of Oregon.From Roger’s early life in Wisconsin and service in the Navy during the Korean War, to hand-building Enchanted Forest alongside his wife Mavis and their children, this episode explores the incredible story behind one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique theme parks.Join us as we journey through Storybook Lane, Tofteville Western Town, the Old European Village, the Challenge of Mondor, the Big Timber Log Ride, the Comedy Theatre, and more — while also sharing personal stories from our own visits to the park and reflecting on the craftsmanship, creativity, and heart that make Enchanted Forest so special.We also discuss the hardships the park endured during COVID, the Oregon wildfires, and the devastating 2021 ice storm, along with the incredible community response that helped preserve Roger’s dream for future generations.Topics discussed in this episode include: Roger Tofte’s early life and inspiration for Enchanted Forest  The seven-year construction process of the park  Storybook Lane and the park’s handcrafted fairy tale scenes  Tofteville Western Town and the Haunted House  The Ice Mountain Bobsled Roller Coaster and Challenge of Mondor  The Old European Village and live entertainment  Possibly Irish and Susan Vaslev’s contributions to the park  The park’s recovery after COVID, wildfires, and the 2021 ice storm  Roger Tofte’s passing and Celebration of Life  Why Enchanted Forest continues to inspire generations of families As partners with Enchanted Forest, we’re honored to share this story and celebrate the legacy of a man who proved that imagination, perseverance, and heart can create something truly timeless.👉Ready to discover your favorite theme park? Check out our games at WhereInThePark.com, and use code PODCAST10 at checkout to take 10% off your next adventure!👉Explore even more with a FREE Digital Game at Downtown Disney, Disney Springs, and more! Go to WhereInThePark.com, and use code WITPDIGITAL👉Become a WITP Explorer! Join the conversation on our Facebook Group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/whereinthepark👉Prefer to read along & see pictures instead of listening? Check out our Blog Page here: WhereInThePark.com/Podcast👉Follow us @WhereInThePark on your favorite social media platforms:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/whereintheparkFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/whereintheparkTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@whereintheparkYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@whereinthepark