Reactions Are Mixed After Beloved California Theme Parks Closes Its Door After 70 Years

These days, theme parks have turn out to be virtually synonymous with Disney. From Disneyland’s first food hall in Anaheim, California, to the recently crowned the most popular cruise line in 29 U.S. states, surpassing Royal Caribbean and Carnival, this well-known model is usually within the information.

But, there are many different theme parks, some strange and some unique, worldwide worth visiting! As an illustration, Terra Botanica is a thrilling theme park in France that is now rivaling the Eden Project.

This text, nonetheless, discusses some unhappy information: the closure of Playland, an amusement park that opened in Fresno, California, again in 1955. The story covers the park’s points of interest and uniqueness, why it is closing, and whether or not it might open once more.

Playland Was Famend For Its Classic Vibes & Low cost Costs

The park is formally closed in March 2025

Playland is an amusement park in Fresno, California, a national park gateway with plenty of activities. Sadly, the park not too long ago introduced its imminent closure in March 2025.

This park featured curler coasters, race vehicles, a Ferris wheel, a Merry-Go-Spherical, and an iconic practice all through the park and its neighboring sister web site, Storyland—all the pieces you would ever look forward to finding in an amusement park!

Tickets had been reasonably priced, starting from $10 to $15. The general public who grew up in Fresno keep in mind the park fondly. Cindy Lee, Inventive Director of Storyland, declared:

“I keep in mind coming as a baby, and the rides had been 10 cents a ticket, and we’d get a greenback invoice. When your 10 tickets had been gone, then the day was over.”

However why is the park closing?

The Park Shut Down Due To Previous Rides & Lack Of Guests

Playland opened in 1955 and closed in each 2015 and 2020

Playland opened its doorways to the general public in 1955. Nevertheless, it has struggled to stay open in the previous couple of years. Most rides shut down in 2000, following California’s new security laws. But, even earlier than the start of the twenty first century, the native authorities had helped the park a number of occasions to pay for its legal responsibility insurance coverage.

The park shut down utterly in 2015 in order that some points of interest might be modernized. Covid-19, nonetheless, led to a different closure. In comparison with different parks, Playland remained near the general public for longer as its points of interest required shut contact between employees and guests.

Three years later, in 2023, Helm and Sons determined to step in, promising every kind of upgrades. The corporate deliberate to maintain the park open for longer hours and open new rides. Sadly, nonetheless, the brand new technique did not carry greater revenues.

Finally, Helm and Sons informed Playland’s board of administrators that it could not renew the contracts. Other than the dearth of tourists wanted to generate revenues to maintain the park open, one other fundamental challenge issues the rides, that are thought of too previous.

This may be extremely problematic every time elements must be changed as all of the producers that created the unique items have shut down, that means repairs could be pricey.

Neighboring Website Storyland Is Hoping To Repurpose Playland

In the meanwhile, there isn’t any concrete plan, however hopes are excessive

Whereas the park is now closing, there’s nonetheless some hope. The neighboring web site, Storyland, appears all for creating a brand new plan for Playland. Cindy Lee declared:

It could be closing because it exists at present as we all know it proper now, however in Storyland, we do have hopes that we can do one thing with Playland — whether or not that brings in one other vendor or we try to merge it in some way.

The 2 parks have all the time been very shut, and never solely geographically. Playland and Storyland have shared a number of occasions and partnered on numerous initiatives, reminiscent of the favored practice operating on each websites. Cindy Lee stated:

We all know instantly that Storyland will take over operating the practice 100% once more. That’s one constructive factor as a result of the practice is extraordinarily enjoyable and vital.

Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless no concrete challenge for this web site. Fortunately, due to Storyland, folks visiting Fresno will nonetheless be capable of take pleasure in an area theme park, which ought to welcome about 3,000 college students within the upcoming months.

Sadly, all the pieces finally has to return to an finish. Whereas Playland has been an iconic web site for most individuals who grew up in Fresno, offering a wide range of rides for reasonably priced costs, its closure is now imminent.

Fortunately, several theme parks attract plenty of tourists across the USA to select from to your subsequent weekend journey. Whereas Storyland will stay open, it’s nonetheless unclear whether or not Playland will shut endlessly or will reopen sometime and provide completely different points of interest.