Applicant proposes returning Lakeville haunted house at Ted Williams Camp; commissioners press limits on trees, parking and conservation

Joe Dishaw, who said he previously ran a haunted-house attraction for 18 years, presented a proposal Jan. 9 to reestablish a large-scale haunted-house and carnival at Ted Williams Camp in Lakeville.

Dishaw told the Lakeville Park Commission he envisions 10-by-10 structures for weather-protected animatronics, a trailer-based ticket booth, carnival rides from Rockwell Amusements and food and vendor areas. “The 10 by 10 structures would be to house my $5,000 animatronics. Those have to be in a weather type building,” Dishaw said, describing computerized figures that run on compressors. He proposed operating Thursday through Sunday across October, with the possibility of adding late-September dates. Dishaw also said he would contract a licensed master electrician to install a new 200-amp service and light poles, and estimated pulling that electrical work could cost “close to $10,000.”