hiatus

 

Its empty parking lot dotted with puddles from the recent weather, the amusement park silently waits for opening of the spring season in March. Shuttered and sometimes disassembled, the rides rest for the upcoming onslaught.  Joyland Amusement Park started out in the late 1940s as the Mackenzie Park Playground.  When I was in grade school, the spring highlight was the school picnic at the park followed by an afternoon at the amusement park.  When purchased by Jimmy Dean (not THAT Jimmy Dean) in 1973, the amusement park had 13 rides -- including the carousel, the bumper cars, the Tilt-a-Whirl, and the Hammer (which was too fearsome to ride).  Today the attractions have expanded to more than 30 with a log flume, gondola, and a roller coaster.  The carousel is advertised as "antique" and  I think the Tilt-a-Whirl of my day is still operating!  But I bet the kids are still as excited as we were to ride!

 

Joyland Amusement Park

Mackenzie Park

Lubbock, Texas

1.25.2015

.