Joyland Amusement Park Roller Coaster is Demolished
The family that owns and once operated Wichita’s Joyland Amusement Park is tearing it down.
Joyland was an amusement park in Wichita, Kansas. The park operated for 55 years from June 12, 1949 to 2004 before closing permanently in 2006. Since its closing in 2004, it has been subjected to numerous incidents of vandalism and looting. Nearly every building is covered with graffiti, and the vintage sign from the top of the roller coaster has been stolen. Even the administration offices were destroyed by vandals.
Several sections of the deteriorating park have already been demolished, and more work is scheduled. The owner has been dealing with complaints about failing to keep the site clear of litter and failing to prevent unauthorized access leaving them no choice but to demolish what remains of the park.
“The Roller Coaster” as seen above in a photo from 2003, was among the last surviving original wooden coasters. It had the only remaining Philadelphia Tobbagon Co. fixed lap bars that were still rolling stock. It was also one of 33 coasters remaining of the 44 designated as an ACE Coaster Classic.
Thursday July 23, the famed “Roller Coaster” was torn down. It’s always sad to see one of our beloved classic woodies get demolished 🙁 Watch the demo take place below!
The demolition comes after efforts to reopen the park. A nonprofit restoration group had tried to raise the money to buy the park so they could bring it back to operating condition, but that group later disbanded the idea. The park is set to be leveled by the end of 2015.
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