originally posted on 9/30/2022 1:18:00 AM
Photo: Jason Knutson. View full-sized image.
The loss of any park is tough to accept, but when
family-owned traditional parks are lost, those are particularly hard to accept.
In mid-September, Joyland Amusement Park (Lubbock, Texas)
made the official announcement that the park would not be reopening.
A statement on the website noted:
“It is with mixed emotions for us to announce that Joyland
will not be reopening.
If an interested party with a viable offer is not found by
October 1, Joyland will be auctioned on Oct 27, 2022.
We have been blessed with 50 years of wonderful memories,
fabulous employees and amazing guests who have all touched our lives.
The threat of flooding in Mackenzie Park, struggling labor
fulfillment, continued vandalism in the park and our aging bodies are all
contributing factors to this decision.
We would like to thank ALL of our Team through years who
have helped to keep Joyland a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
Never forget the importance of having fun…for the greatest
legacies we can leave are happy memories.”
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
David and Kristi Dean.
Photo: Courtesy of Joyland. View full-sized image.
Joyland had just completed its 50th season in 2022. The
park was founded in 1973 by Jimmy and Katie Dean. The couple had owned various
rides that were located in other traditional parks such as Wonderland Park
(Amarillo), Cliff’s Amusement Park (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and Funland Park (Wichita
Falls) but decided to make a go of their own park. Second-generation owner
David Dean, along with his wife, Kristi, have been at the helm since 1993.
“We had 450,000 views on Facebook following the
announcement, and most reviews were very nice.,” said David Dean. “We’re just
at the end of our line, and it was time for us to step away.”
Even with the ongoing challenges of operating the park,
Dean would be thrilled to see it somehow continue.
“We will take a whole heart full of memories with us,” said
Dean. “We’d hear stories of people who met at Joyland. One man contacted us
years ago so that he could propose to his girlfriend at Joyland. We ended up
turning on the skyride and they had friends come out and started singing to
them. It was great.”
Among the approximately 30 attractions were three roller
coasters. The park’s Galaxi was always an example of that model of
coaster running in fine form. It was acquired from White Swan Park in
Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, after that park closed in 1989. A Dragon Wagon
arrived in 2017, which replaced the Dipsy Doodle, a Miler kiddie
coaster. The most recent coaster was Sand Storm, which opened in late
summer of 2019. Manufactured by Cavazza Diego, virtually unknown in the United
States, it stood just under 25 feet tall and was noted for its spirals. Another
fun coaster from the park’s past was its Mad Mouse, which eventually
went to Arnolds Park (Iowa).
Galaxi.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
Photos: Jeffrey Seifert. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Joyland acquired Mad Mouse from Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa. It was eventually sold to Arnolds Park in Iowa.
Photo: Cheri Armstrong. View full-sized image.
Other attractions in the park included a variety of flat
rides — from classics like a Trabant, Roll-O-Plane, Rock-O-Plane, Scrambler,
Tilt-A-Whirl, Spider and Musik Express to newer thrills such as the X-Factor
Extreme and Dare Devil Drop. Offering views of the whole park was a sky ride
down the center of Joyland’s midway. A Reverchon flume helped keep the Texas
heat at bay.
“The train has such soul. It’s older than I am. But it was
my favorite ride,” said Dean.
Photo: Tim Baldwin. View full-sized image.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
While a part of the semiannual West Texas Roundup regional
event, Joyland was also a co-host of the 2004 ACE Spring Conference. The Dean
family was always welcoming and hospitable to American Coaster Enthusiasts.
“ACE members do a whole lot of good for our industry,” said
Dean. “I have such good memories of everyone coming to visit us. They enjoyed
our coasters as unfancy as they are. We are so full of encouragement from
them.”
Photos: David Lipnicky. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
Sand Storm.
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
Although the Deans were reaching the age of wanting to
enjoy retirement years, there weren’t family members ready to step in to take
over. This was combined with frequent floods, vandalism, the COVID pandemic and
staffing shortages, as well as the struggle to obtain maintenance staff. While
understandable, suddenly having to say farewell is a sad occasion.
Since the Deans made the announcement, they have received
calls both locally and nationally, so there could still be a glimmer of hope.
If a deal was made, David Dean said he and his wife would stay on for a year or
two — in a limited capacity — to help with the transition.
ACE will stay on top of the situation.
See more on Joyland Park in RollerCoaster!, issue 109,
or in the June 2022 issue of Amusement Today:
https://amusementtoday.com/issues/2022/062022/
— Tim Baldwin, ACE News Editor
Photo: Jay Jacobs. View full-sized image.
#ACENews