Vandals Strike Former Wichita Landmark

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Reporter: KAKE News
Email Address: news@kake.com

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A Wichita landmark has suffered another serious blow. Vandals struck the former Joyland Amusement Park in Southeast Wichita early Saturday.

Joyland owner Margaret Nelson tells KAKE News that someone called 911 overnight to report loud noises coming from inside the park. When police arrived, they found four people in the process of vandalizing various areas. All four were arrested.

Nelson says the office, ticket booths, and arcade have been destroyed.

"It makes us sick. We just cannot understand why someone would want to come out here and do this," says Nelson. "There's not anything of value out here anymore."

Nelson says anything that can be repaired will have to be paid for out her and her husband's own pocket.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Jamie Location: Stockton, Utah on Feb 1, 2009 at 12:18 AM
This is really sad. I lived in Wichita for 4 years when I was younger. My family would go every year. I hope they find who ever is responsible. I hope that Joyland will be repaired. Awesome amusment park so many great memories.

Posted by: Mick Location: Wichita on Oct 6, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I have only the best memories for Joyland, as I was growing up in Wichita. I loved all the old rides and we can't forget Louie, the organ player, that was previously stolen by the past owners, (jerks).The community would love to see it reopen, but the longer it sets the more likely it won't happen. Joyland will remain in our hearts forever, who cares about the $5 dollar parking fee.

Posted by: Nick Location: Wichita on Oct 6, 2008 at 09:00 AM
For pictures and videos of Joyland please check out www.rememberjoyland.com. Feel free to send us your user submissions.

Posted by: mr ed Location: the talking horse on Oct 6, 2008 at 06:33 AM
the owners have done just as much vandalism to the park has the vandals themselves. they have sold it twice to people who didnt have a clue about running a park the roller coaster has set un maintained for yearsw and is in such a state of disrepair that it is no longe safe to be used. You will see a day when the buldozers do more damage to your memories than any vandal will simply because of owners who didnt care.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 6, 2008 at 02:24 AM
Too bad that it had to be vandalized but when you let property sit like that it is bound to happen. Would love to see it reopen because I still love the roller coaster.

Posted by: LeAnn Location: Wichita on Oct 6, 2008 at 01:23 AM
Could a judge not order the vandals to jail, then have them out for certain hours each day working on it? I think this would be legal. I would love to see Joyland open back up (without the $5.00 rediculous parking fees), and be run the way it was when it was flourishing. The Wacky shack also needs to be revived it was the best ride there for many many years!!! I would be willing to put in my time to help make repairs also. I wish the new owners would comment and let us know their plans for it's future.

Posted by: lizzie Location: wichita on Oct 5, 2008 at 07:54 PM
What is the story on joyland? I just moved to wichita and pass by it all the time, what happened? Why did it close?

Posted by: kden Location: east ict on Oct 5, 2008 at 06:50 PM
what is being done with this property? is it rotting and decaying?? will insurance cover the vandalism??

Posted by: mike Location: wichita on Oct 5, 2008 at 05:55 PM
ya the court may order it but that is the bigest joke ever. I was awarded 3500 for the same thing 4yrs ago. have not seen a dime?? whats the point of the court judges and layers? all a waste of state money. the whole justice system is a joke good luck. All the law makers promiss change thats a joke also. follow the story kake and see what the judge does we would all like to know.

Posted by: Pam Location: Wichita on Oct 5, 2008 at 05:51 PM
I too agree that if we all banded together, we could save JOyland. I bet we could schedule a work day and many would show up to help and or give money. I would give anything to see this park restored and open. I bet we could make this happen

Posted by: Deb Location: local on Oct 5, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I am so hurt that someone would try to destroy this wonderful place that meant so much to so many people. We need to save Joyland.I'm sure we could do it if we pulled together. We can't let these punks take Joyland away from our children and grandchildren. Lets get some businesses to help, they loved getting involved in "The Home Makeover" free publicity and a positive community project.

Posted by: Joyland Lover Location: Wichita on Oct 5, 2008 at 09:19 AM
It is sad that the adults did this. The park owners should make them pay for what they did, the court will probably order it then they will never see a dime of it. It happens all the time. I guarantee that if the owners were to ask for volunteers to repair the damage, they would get it. I wwould love to help repair it. I could and would bring my kids too. Someone, somehow will one day open that park for everyone to enjoy. Yes, the rides are old, and not as wonderful as the "larger parks" but for local families, it would be wonderful. Wichita needs to pull together and that neighborhood need to open up their hearts to allow the park to open. It wasn't shut down many years ago, so it should be able to open again.

Posted by: Shelly Location: Wichita on Oct 5, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Sad. A place that gave so many of us, so much happiness, growing up in Wichita. It was the only fun thing to to for so long....so many memories there. I agree. Let the vandals make repairs themselves. Take costs our of their pockets.

Posted by: mike Location: local on Oct 5, 2008 at 07:46 AM
The owners need to take these vandals and their parents use use either their "sweat equity" ,or their resourses, or both to repair their property... It's time to hold people responsible for their careless actions, besides it's more rewarding to fix something than to leave it in disrepair. Their are good life lessons for these vandals to learn here if the owners really want to help change the climate of wrecklessness in this city, which is simply this: hold them accountable for their actions, for their crimes. It is something they will never forget...

Posted by: Angie Location: Wichita on Oct 5, 2008 at 05:34 AM
Shame on them. The vandals should be ordered to repair or replace what they broke, out of THEIR pockets, and after that they should have to spend a few months there fixing up anything else that needs it!!

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