I remember it being all scumy and smelled bad. No trip to Kiddie Park is complete without having a face painted with your childs favorite things! A longtime resident of the area, Patricia Herrera, visited Funtown with her family often and remembers it with fondness. Planning began in 2005, bankrupt in 2011Developers picked up the project again in 2014, with the vision of a 500-acre Disney-esque park. Visitors to HemisFair '68 ride the mini-monorail (top) and El Trenecito (the little train, bottom) on July 19, 1968. The shuttered Funtown, closed since the late 1990s, occupied a 2.5-acre property that has changed hands over the years. Then storms, fires and erosion eventually destroyed all of the facilities. Since its closure, a new theme park, Six Flags Fiesta Texas (Originally simply called Fiesta Texas) has been San Antonio's main amusement destination. LUCKY LAND: New China-inspired park in Houston features Forbidden Garden's old terra-cotta soldiers. 1971 - 1973Bird watching was a full-time job for Busch Gardens staffers Jerry Franklin, left, Sally Chalmers and Carla Taft. A food and drink scene bursting with flavor and fun. 1942. In 2017, the Ultra-Accessible theme park opened it's expansion, Morgan's Inspiration Island, which was named on the 2018 . They were rusted and always broke down. Catch a glimpse of San Antonio from above while riding the Whirling Wonder ferris wheel. Enjoy the South Texas sunshine and when youre ready, cool down with even cooler indoor experiences including non-stop fun at attractions throughout the city! mid-1980s to 2005Located in west Houston, this mega-complex was a huge indoor kids playground, complete with bumper cars, go-karts, mini-golf, laser tag, a bowling alley and Ferris wheel. This portable Cubii under-desk elliptical is $129 off today. We were so excited when it was done and couldnt wait to go, Alingod said. Face painting is available on most Saturdays and Sundays. Cristina Santoyo posted to Facebook that she remembers going to Funtown with her brother. 1984 - 1988After the death of an employee, the park could not afford the insurance to stay in business. 5223 David Edwards, San Antonio, TX 78233. Playland Park was a Houston amusement park that locals and visitors enjoyed from the early 1940s until 1967. During its reign in San Antonio, Malibu Grand Prix was the place to be for teens. There will be a vintage carousel, shipped from Boston, which is being polished, repainted and refinished. All rights reserved, Southwest Rising at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, Still Brewing Art at the San Antonio Museum of Art. 1984 - 1985Unable to compete with Astroworld, HannaBarbera Land was only open for two seasons. But they just kind of abandoned it.. FORGOTTEN FUN: Houston's short-lived theme park: Busch Gardens. Passes starting at $69.99 2023 Passes Get unlimited admission, parking, and more with a 2023 Pass! Orlando's exciting theme parks make it a perennial Florida favorite for kids of all ages. Universal Parks & Resorts to open new theme park, hotel in Texas The precursor to AstroWorld, Playland Park had a tilt-a-whirl, loop-de-loop and "rollie" coaster. 1951 - 1996"Mermaids" put on shows that could be seen from an underwater submarine theater. 1951 - 1996Nowadays, the once-famed resort is an environmental education center, the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Playland Park closed on Labor Day September 1, 1980. Certainly the most iconic piece of art San Antonio has to offer, La Antorcha de la Amistad (The Torch of Friendship) was commissioned as a gift, a token of goodwill between the Mexican. And rides were not safe. The coaster came down while his arm was stretched across the track and cut it off. (This photo was captured after the park closed.). Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. 1968 - 2005A rider gets splashed on AstroWorld's Bamoo Shoot Ride on June 1, 1973. Endless summer attractions, festive and cultural events, thrilling theme park rides, historical and interactive museums, outdoor fun and so much more. 2023 Summer Camps Magic Camp : Ninja Camps Ninja Camp June 13th, 15th, and 16th : Ninja Camp June 20th, 22nd, and 23rd : Ninja Camp June 27th, 29th, and 30th . 1940 to mid-1980sPlayland Park was Texas' first amusement park. Five years later, the Rocket was dismantled and resurrected as the Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Park in Pennsylvania. [Then] little by little, there were things [the parks operators] werent keeping up with that you couldnt do anymore so I think the interest was lost.. There was also a version in San Antonio. 1965 - 1990It also had a 4-acre ski lake for dazzling shows. During the Summer of 2019, San Antonio Zoo landed on an agreement to take over the historic park and started carving a path for its new relocation at the zoo. Teens and adolescents of the 80s and 90s will no doubt miss the fun-filled days of Malibu Castle. Contact Us. Over on the Westside, you used to be able to find Funtown USA, which offered go-karts and arcade fixtures. mid-1940s to 1980sPlayland Park's slogan: "The fun spot of San Antonio.". Plan Your Visit; Tickets; Map; Calendar; FAQs; Park Policies; . 1951 - 1996And who can forget Ralph the Famous Swimming Pig and his notorious "swine dive.". 5223 David Edwards San Antonio, TX 78233; 210-495-5888; 210-637-3486; Park Information. The small, but mighty theme park featured go-karts, carnival rides, and miniature golf. In 2006, Gordon Hartman observed his daughter, Morgan, wanting to play with other vacationing kids at a hotel swimming pool, but the kids were leery of Morgan and didnt want to interact with her. 1984 - 1985The theme park was based on the worlds of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons like "The Flinstones," "Yogi Bear" and "Scooby-Doo.". 1971 - 1973 A park visitor slides down after climbing the thatched tree-house at Houston's Busch Gardens. They had a racetrack that was really popular the young children could drive as well, she said. Contact Us. During the Summer of 2019, San Antonio Zoo landed on an agreement to take over the historic park and started carving a path for its new relocation at the zoo. 1984 - 1988After the death of an employee, the park could not afford the insurance to stay in business. San Antonio Zoo will honor and maintain Kiddie Parks nostalgic look and feel while offering the same experience generations of visitors have come to know and love. Defunct Roller Coasters: 1. (This photo was captured after the park closed. He may of been related, brothers (? Nightlife / The park will come alive on Saturday Nights for Noche de Msica with bands as big as Texas performing at Lone Star Lil's, and an epic finale with Festival del Noche Fireworks Spectacular! The coaster came down while his arm was stretched across the track and cut it off. PLUS Six Flags Fiesta Texa will soon welcome ESIX Gaming Powered by Coca-Cola stay tuned for more information! 1965 - 1990It also had a 4-acre ski lake for dazzling shows. Kiddie Parks original location was near the corner of Broadway and East Mulberry Avenue, but the ever-growing site caused issues for parking and expansion. A forever-missed attraction from San Antonios past, Playland Park was a staple in the city and took pride in being the first amusement park in Texas. One (1) unlimited rides wristband | $14 Value If you value our election coverage, will you support it? Of course, San Antonio has much more to offer than historical sites. Attractions / Join us for dining, art studio classes, spa treatments, shopping, fly fishing, and horseback riding. Choice of one (1) hot dog or one (1) popcorn & one (1) 16 oz. 1951 - 1996"Mermaids" put on shows that could be seen from an underwater submarine theater. Skip to content. It was located at South Main between Murworth and Westridge. Funtown it reads in block letters and a fun town it was. Sunshine Park 2834 Roosevelt Avenue . When it first opened, The Rocket was billed as "the largest roller coaster in the world." Dont miss Dr. Diabolicas Cliffhanger, Daredevil Flying Machines, and the Summer Vibes Festival at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Plus check out one of our many Farmers Markets, pop-up fairs, concerts and more! Kiddie Park - San Antonio Texas Another Houston theme park that also has a devoted following, albeit a smaller one, is Playland Park. And while Six Flags sends fans head-over-heels screaming and boomeranging back for repeat thrills, the heyday for independent, kitschy theme parks was before the dominance of the Dallas-based chain Six Flags. Kiddie Park is located in San Antonio and was opened in 1925. Family launches GoFundMe to help man shot during Fiesta in S.A. Cardi B speaks out on viral 'mean girls' TikTok at Astros game, What to know about the invasive hammerhead flatworms in Texas, Boozy Hill Country golf course tees off in New Braunfels, Bed Bath & Beyond San Antonio stores to close out with big sales, Guess the rent of this Leon Valley apartment, Under-the-radar San Antonio burgers to try right now, Texas couple banned from Planet Fitness over harassment, Things we'll never see again in San Antonio, their first dates and back to school parties there. New for 2024 New for 2023 New for 2022 Census Record Holders World View Inversions. Sunshine Park, located at Roosevelt and Southcross, is one of various childrens amusement parks that have come and gone in San Antonio in the years leading up to the opening of Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 1992. 1942. 1984 - 1985It featured a carousel, a Scooby-Doo roller coaster, an enormous jungle gym and puppet shows. Planning began in 2005, bankrupt in 2011Located along U.S. 59 near New Caney, it was to be seven times larger than Houston's AstroWorld with 50 attractions that stress environmental stewardship. mid-1940s to 1980Located on N. Alamo off Broadway, the site of Playland Park is a12.5 acrevacant lot. (This photo was captured after the park closed. Visible from the highway, a taller sign, faded and crumbling, remains in position over the graffitied cement walls of the old batting cages. Hector Pena, who is listing the property on behalf of the current owners, Ferdinand and Marilyn Javier, said the amusement park was once owned by Jerry Arredondo, who declined to be interviewed for this story. Some parks suffered tragic accidents and weren't able to recover. 1971 - 1973A clown lets a youngster ride a wild tricycle, 1971. Prospector View Park & Trailhead; Rodeo Arena; Squash Head Park; Sunset Trails Park; Theodore Ahlin Park. But many recall their first dates and back to school parties there. Owner Louis Slusky also owned and operated the miniature train at the Hermann Park Zoo for decades. 1971 - 1973Bird watching was a full-time job for Busch Gardens staffers Jerry Franklin, left, Sally Chalmers and Carla Taft. mid-1970s to 2004Until it was demolished in 2012, Castle Golf and Games was located off Loop 610 near U.S. 290.