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Wichita Man Wants City To Invest In Joyland
Could the city help save a 60-year-old Wichita landmark? One man hopes so.
Reporter: Jennifer BocchieriEmail Address: jbocchieri@kake.com |
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Posted by: Chad
Location: wichita
on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:24 PM
I think reopening joyland is a sweet idea i alone have 3 kids and would love to have another place to take them to and have fun.The idea of a tax increase i agree would be a great idea i would rather pay a 4-10 addmission price to get into joyland then to pay 40-100 bucks to get into some event at the new arena where i will have to search for a place to park and wait an hour to be able to leave safely with my kids road congested just like the colliseum so it would be nice to see the city or community step up and save joyland I support both those ideas
Posted by: Someone
Location: Wichita
on Nov 6, 2009 at 11:29 AM
what ever happen with this story. I have not heard of the city will help or not.. anyone know?
Posted by: these things happend
on Nov 6, 2009 at 08:04 AM
keep it closed kid drowned joyland swimming pool man head knocked off joyland roller coster kid falls off feriss wheel joyland
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: Wichita
on Nov 5, 2009 at 06:34 PM
I agree with opening Joyland...I think with the Proper Rules in place (No one enters without a parent or guardian if under the age of 18...How many teens are going to go with mom and dad and start a bunch of trouble?) Keep it a family theme and it would be great!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 5, 2009 at 02:34 PM
To sax: You can't spell those 2 words either....
Posted by: Lani
on Nov 5, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Effectively planned and run Joyland would be an excellent project to revamp and reopen! So many of us have great memories of this place and it will also give us a place to take our kids. As far as gangs go, they are everywhere! But with proper management and enforcement it can be controlled. I think its a great idea! Why should we go to other cities to enjoy what they have? Why not bring people from other cities to enjoy what WE have? Maybe we should as a community get together and make it happen. Obviously there will be jobs created, not to mention another stop for visitors. We always complain there's nothing to do here, WELL LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 5, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I was thinking that with all this support why did Joyland close to begin with? Then I realized out of 400,000 some people there are only about 29 supporters. Now I understand.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 4, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Posted by: sax on Nov 3, 2009 at 10:29 AM "Boreing, Rediculous and other choice words I can't spell" Then you should keep quiet about things that went on before you were born. What would you want there to be in it's place? A Hip-Hop skater-trash park?
Posted by: Citizen
on Nov 4, 2009 at 07:46 AM
Would love to see Joy-Land reopen, and I bet I could find a place to park as well.
Posted by: Lisa
Location: Wichita
on Nov 3, 2009 at 03:55 PM
If the city government won't back it then why not form a community group to do this? What if the people of Wichita owned the park collectively? There have been other places that have taken on community projects and done very well. Save a landmark, create jobs and volunteer opportunities, revive a place that is fun for all ages and is owned by the people. Yeah, it would take alot of thought but let's get out off our butts and start something amazing.
Posted by: Jennifer
Location: Wichita
on Nov 3, 2009 at 03:54 PM
I would love to see Joyland opened again, I personally would rather have had Joyland reopened instead of wasting so much money on the Arena. Please pray that the City will help out in this matter!
Posted by: Anonymous
Location: NW Kansas
on Nov 3, 2009 at 02:56 PM
Think of how much money the city could receive from out of towners that would come to it. I live out of Wichita and would spend the 3 hours to drive to it if it would open again, for my grandson's sake. I think it would be a great thing to reopen it. The city of Wichita should step up to the plate and help with this project.
Posted by: ict mann
Location: east ict
on Nov 3, 2009 at 01:59 PM
with all these comments in favor of re opening joyland...makes me scratch my head...why was the place always empty unless they had a free day or a compnay picnic...from what i read this was the most popular place in town..this is so typical of Wichita..the people talk about this ..talk about that and if they did reopen Joyland no one would come to it...and as for the WIld West theme park in Park city ....this park was closed before it ever opened due to the people associated with it...let Terry Fox put in his two cent worth into Joyland and it would never reopen....i wonder if i have an idea i could jus waltz up before the city council and ask for 2 million for my dream ....
Posted by: Adam
Location: Wichita
on Nov 3, 2009 at 01:48 PM
Why not make Joyland a City Park equipped with all the rides and attractions we remember. Create jobs and revenue at the same time. Rent the Pavillions out for festivals and parties such as a City sponsored Oktoberfest, Craft Show or Bluegrass Festival. I think the area is under valued by the City. Look outside the box and see it as something more then a run-down amusement park.
Posted by: dmill
Location: wichita, ks
on Nov 3, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I think this would be great for the city of wichita. I grew up going to joyland every weekend, I have kids of my own now an live close to joyland and my kids keep asking me when it will reopen because they want to experiance what I did when I was younger. It would definitely create jobs and give families something can do together that the kids will enjoy as much as the adults. I hate driving by it everyday and seeing it just sit there. I miss hearing all the laughing and enjoyment coming from there on the wekends and over the summer.
Posted by: kevin
Location: wichita
on Nov 3, 2009 at 11:31 AM
The city should purchase the few remaining salavgable rides and move them to the west side of Sedgwick county park where they would be used on a regular basis.There is plenty of land for the rides and it would be a big money maker from park goers and pick up traffic from the zoo also.
Posted by: crwgrl
Location: Wichita
on Nov 3, 2009 at 11:12 AM
This is what we have been waiting for!!! God, please let it go through, for the children's sake!!!
Posted by: sax
on Nov 3, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Boreing, Rediculous and other choice words I can't spell
Posted by: Robert
Location: bob
on Nov 3, 2009 at 10:28 AM
i too have alot of fond memories of joyland.but could they bulldoze it and have the city make some kind of new park with holiday themes.something to commemorate each holiday that would benefit the community and that the people could enjoy!!! btw. with the economy helping the homeles is always a great idea!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 3, 2009 at 09:54 AM
Getting Joyland back and operational will cost more then the 2 million. Once we put that kind of money into a project, then we are committed. Don't get me wrong, I have great memories of Joyland, the wondering if the roller-coaster will last long enough for me to get though my ride. My opinion is the money could be spent helping the homeless or create more then a few dozen jobs. Here's a novel idea, use the money to create jobs to help the homeless.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 3, 2009 at 08:42 AM
I think it is a great idea to reopen the park. But he is not the man to do it!!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 3, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Waste of money and time doze the heap.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 3, 2009 at 08:01 AM
"d": If they reopened the park, and it was city funded, that would create a few dozen jobs. Not to mention the work for local contractors to refurbish and upgrade the place as well. But they better keep the pig trash vacuum that sucked the trash from your hand and restore the "One Man Band".
Posted by: Frances
Location: Wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 11:22 PM
We need an amusement park here again. Joyland brings back so many memories for a lot of people, I would love to see it open again! And for my son to be able to experience it. Not everyone has the time or the money to drive out of ton to the big amusement parks, having one here locally again would be awesome. I agree with anonymous at 9:35pm: if the city can't afford it just yet, maybe we should see about raising the funds via a temporary tax like the arena. I do think there will be more demand, if they market it right, for an amusement park then the arena. And I agree that visitors to the area would like visiting an amusement park that is smaller than the six flags and such, but also has a history. (the rollercoaster would need to be refurbished/rebuilt, but we could copy the original design and it would retain that wonderful old feel)
Posted by: janice weakley
Location: joplin mo.
on Nov 2, 2009 at 09:35 PM
It would be wonderful to bring Joyland back. I am in my sixties & still remember the school parties & family picnic's we had there. I have great grandchildren living in Wichita & would love to bring them there for a fun day...........
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 2, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Why not impose a sales tax hike to pay for the restoration of Joyland.....it was done for a new arena and I know more people would rather ride a roller coaster than have to search out a parking place downtown.
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 2, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Jim Skelton needs a new job. What a fool.WWW failed from the start becouse of the way it was ran and it did not have rollercosters. Joyland on the other hand could make it if the city would support it.
Posted by: josh
Location: wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 08:48 PM
i agree i would love to see joyland opened again and city should invest in it also,i mean heck if they can invest in all this dang construction everywhere i mean EVERYWHERE!! they invest in memories for children there at joyland cause i love the memories i had there growing up!!!
Posted by: d
Location: wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 08:43 PM
hey everybody joyland was a good thing but the city is invested in to much now i work for the city and i know alot of people that have lost jobs and have to furlo due to the economy.Thats all we need is more people out of jobs because the city is trying to run something else,so sorry to say it but id have to say no to the park reopening
Posted by: KsMeMa
on Nov 2, 2009 at 08:25 PM
I am reminded of the expense of the circle of light at the intersection of Central, Meridian and McLean. I personally feel those were a total waste of money and in the long term expensive as far as electricity goes. I have yet to talk to anyone that likes them. Monstrosity, Boreing, Rediculous and other choice words I won't utter here come to mind. Creating a fun place for our area's families would be much more to my way of thinking as far as spending goes. It's not just a matter of great memories of the place. Which I have many of! But, rather a clean, well run and affordable resource for everyone to enjoy. I think this would be a great way for the City Fathers of Wichita to show the people of this area that families DO count. With a good bit of planning it could make money as well. Give this one some thought!
Posted by: Jay
on Nov 2, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I grew up going to Joyland and miss the nostalgia. But in the late 80's when I took my kids there for family fun, it was over ran by gangs. We stayed less than an hour because we did not feel safe. We were harrassed in the parking lot by gang bangers as we were trying to leave. We never went back.
Posted by: Jim
Location: Wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 06:29 PM
I would like to see Joyland refurbished. The city invests in that worthless arena, now they should get involved in something that the families and kids would actually enjoy. As far as the gang problem, do the world a big favor, just shoot the stinking rats!
Posted by: Anonymous
on Nov 2, 2009 at 06:13 PM
If they could just keep the gang problem out of the park then it would be a great idea. I miss Joyland. I haven't been there since 1979. Oh yeah, and they have to replace the roller-coaster. It always freaked me out whenever I'd go there and see structure support boards lying on the ground.
Posted by: rgr
Location: wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 06:07 PM
I would love to see Joyland open. It has a lot of childhood memories for many people and is a great family park. I think the City would do good in opening it and running it. It would give families another place to go to be together as long as there would be security there.
Posted by: momma3
Location: central kansas
on Nov 2, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Joyland is MY childhood and I would give anything to be able to share a part of it with my children. It's heartbreaking to know that the memories I once had there as a child may never be experinced by others. We need a place to take our families and our children. I would travel the 70 miles to be able to walk through the gates and relive a time in my life. It's sad picturing what the place looks like now however, I can still smell the popcorn and hear the sound of the organ player. Waiting in line for what seemed like forever to ride the rollercoaster and the log jam. Why not just go for it. With the new arena opening up means more tourists and visitors to the city and they often times are looking for more to do, why not go visit the amusment park. It's lasted for nearly 60 years already, why not give it another chance to last another 60? Please lets stand together and give this park one more chance, not just for our memories but also for the memories of our children and grandchildren
Posted by: Alex
Location: Wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 05:31 PM
I think that Joyland could be a huge investment. I am only 16, but have enjoyed that roller coaster since the age of 2. Joyland has so many great memories. I really do miss that park, if this doesn't work, the community needs to just come together sometime and make things happen. It is really sad to see such a great place fall into such a horrible mess.
Posted by: Anon
Location: Wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 05:02 PM
I think the City should invest in Joyland. It has been a part of Wichita a lot longer then most of the other things the City waste money on. Why not give back to the people and help save a landmark and a place of memories for Wichita residents. There is several events and daily operations that could take place there. Anything from school functions to craft shops for locally made items. Come on Wichita, isn't this something worth saving??? Or do we just want to keep giving money to people that are not from here, do not live here, and never stay around long enough to make anything work?
Posted by: A
Location: Wichita
on Nov 2, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Why not? Some of the things the city invests in are not always the best idea but atleast this is FAMILY fun. I'd much rather see the place cleaned up and opened then traveling a couple hundred miles to visit an amusement park. Even better, what about those $3.00 a ticket rides that travel, I'm sure some money could be made. |
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i think its great someone trying to buy it and try to salvage a amusement park, but the surronding area needs lot of attention, when they get that right they may be sucessfull, but until the surrounding area is addressed, they will unfortunatly fail! just my opinion!
A 35-year-old Joyland maintenance worker was killed when he was struck in the head by the amusement park's roller coaster. The worker had been operating a weed trimmer near the first drop of the roller coaster about 6:20 p.m.
A lot of people beat up on Joyland Amusement Park. It's an easy target. The last time I was there, the arcade room was closed. You can see the paint peeling on some of the rides.
In its glory days, when roller skating meant wooden wheels on hardwood floors, the Joyland Park Roller Rink hosted some of the hottest speed-skating tournaments in the Midwest.
I really wish instead of trying to sell the park that it could have been somehow placed on the Kansas Historical sites list and saved by state funding.
Wichita has a lot of wealthy people, it is home to one of the richest men in the world (Charles Koch), why doesn't anyone restore and reopen this park, we have the money to do it. This park was successful for almost 50 years, it can be successful again. We have government owned hotels, zoos, and shopping centers, why not a small theme park. The crime and vandalism at at abandoned park has got be be costing the city a lot of money and stress.
I was never a Joyland fan. I only went twice, and never really understood why people kept going back to such a small park that never really changed. However, I do think this was a great example of an out & back coaster and should be preserved. Between the roller coaster and log jammer, Joyland actually could have built up a good park if they had the space and funds. Somebody should buy the park and see about restoring at least this one ride.
does anyone remeber when that lizzie chick fell out of the ferris wheel at joyland and nearly died, yeah, that was my sister's best friend, we were at the park and watched her fall, i never want joyland to open again.
Since the park closed in 2005 it has been subjected to numerous incidents of vandalism and looting. Nearly every building in the park is covered with graffiti and the vintage sign from the top of the roller coaster has been stolen. The administration offices have also been destroyed. Park owner Margaret Nelson was quoted as saying "We're sick. Our hearts are just sick. It's not easy, not easy"
if this guy wants to reopen joyland...put 2 million on it of your won money and ask the city to match it...as for a school for the blind?? thta is about as silly as when ABC had Stevie wonder in the booth calling a Nascar race....from all the comments the pople of Wichita loved the idea of Joyland but didnt attend it....this is the richest poor city in America...
I would personally not want Joyland reopened. I agree that it would cost a lot more than the loan money to make it a worthwhile place to go and it is in a somewhat bad area of town. It could easily turn into a bad hangout with unsupervised teens. Lets do something more productive for the community.
has every one forgotten wild west world, flop,,, and we want to spend two mil on another flop? joyland is a nice part of the past,,,, leave it there
School for the blind at Joyland? How much thought was given to the feasibility of that? Is it just something to try to sway the council to give out a $2 million dollar loan?
Lisa- I agree, but with the economy I know I would not be able to afford to. I would support it as a business though my family would go their often!
I grew up here in Wichita and went to Joyland many times over the years. It was a great place to go-I even remember swimming in the pool! The reason I quit going there and my area school quit having fun night there was the violence. There were shootings. Maybe not in the park but there were in the parking lot. NO parent wants to take their children to a known area of violence and/or gangs. The crime is what killed Joyland. Nothing else. Plain and simple. Forget about ever opening it again until the owners get a firm hand on crime and criminals - even if it means airport like security - just for driving in the parking lot!