Lakeside Amusement Park

Amusement park in the United States


Lakeside Amusement Park
Location
Denver, Colorado, USA
Status Operating
Opened May 30, 1908
Previous names White City
Website http://lakesideamusementpark.com/
A Zyklon coaster under construction
Lakeside Amusement Park Tower of Jewels

Lakeside Amusement Park is a family-owned amusement park in Denver, Colorado, USA. It was originally named "White City." The park opened May 30, 1908, it is one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States.

History

In 1907, plans to construct and open White City were announced, in an effort to "beautify" the city of Denver. The park cost an estimated 800,000 dollars to construct, and was a project started by Adolph Zang, and Robert Speer, the mayor of Denver. [1]

In 1908, White City, (Now Lakeside Amusement Park) opened to the public. The name White City came from the parks 100,000 white lights, and plaster buildings. An estimated 50,000 guest visited the park on its opening day.[1]

In 1935, Ben Krasner acquired the park, with the intention of making it more "family-friendly," with neon-lighting and color.

In 1940, Cyclone opened to the public, as the parks marquee attraction.

In 1955, Wild Chipmunk opened to the public.

In 1987, Dragon opened to the public, in an attempt to draw families and regain their reputation.

The park did not operate at all in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.[2] It reopened on July 22, 2021.[3][4]

On September 1, 2023, Big Ohhhh! opened to the public, as the parks first new roller coaster since Kiddie Coaster.

Roller coasters

Present

Class Name Manufacturer Type Opened Status
Roller Cyclone Edward A. Vettel Wooden May 17, 1940 Standing but not operating
Powered Dragon Zamperla Kiddie 1989 Standing but not operating
Roller Kiddie Coaster Miler Manufacturing Kiddie 2001 or earlier Operating
Roller Wild Chipmunk Miler Manufacturing Wild Mouse 1955 Operating
Roller Big Ohhhh! Pinfari Steel September 1, 2023 Operating

Past

Class Name Manufacturer Type Opened Closed Fate
Roller Derby Racer Fredrick Ingersoll Wooden 1911 1937 Scrapped
Roller Scenic Railway Unknown Wooden 1908 Unknown Scrapped
Roller Tickler Unknown Wooden Unknown Unknown Scrapped
Roller Velvet Coaster John A. Miller Wooden 1908 Unknown Scrapped

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "After 110 Years of Ups and Downs, a New Coaster Could Take Lakeside to New Heights". Westword.
  2. Ricciardi, Tiney (2021-05-25). "Lakeside Amusement Park will reopen this summer after all — with new rides". Denver Post. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
  3. Mathurin, Desiree (2021-07-22). "Lakeside Amusement Park is open again". Denverite.
  4. The Know (2021-07-22). "After a long wait, Lakeside Amusement Park officially reopens". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2022-03-05.