Joyland Amusement Park located in Lubbock, TX, recently announced that the park is permanently closed and its rides are currently being dismantled.
The decision was made in January after a group of local investors backed out of purchasing the amusement park after the park’s first closing announcement in October.
History of Joyland Amusement Park
Originally opening in the 1940s as Mackenzie Park, the established amusement park owners Jimmy and Katie Dean were inspired to take over in 1973, when they started with 13 rides.
Cred: Amusement Today
During the park’s 50 years of operation, it grew to 30 rides, with three of them being roller coasters. Its retro 80s theming was loved by the local residents, and it welcomed over two million guests.
The 16-acre park was well known for relocating and saving the Musik Express and SkyGlider skyride from Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park, the Galaxi Coaster from White Swan Park (previously located in Allegheny County, PA from 1955 to 1989), and the Allan Herschell Company train from Wonderland Amusement Park in Amarillo, TX.
The park also purchased the Greezed Lightnin’ shuttle loop from Six Flags AstroWorld when the park closed in 2005. However, the coaster was never constructed and was eventually scrapped.
Timeline of the Park’s Demise
On Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, the park posted on Facebook, if they did not find a new owner by Oct. 1, then the park would be auctioned off later that month due to “flooding concerns in Mackenzie park, difficulty with filling positions, vandalism and aging structures”.
On Oct. 21, 2022, the park announced that two local owners were interested in the Joyland, thus, the park would remain open.
Finally, on Jan. 10, 2023, the owners announced that the investors had backed out of the deal, and the park would officially close.
David Dean, the current owner of the park recently posted photos of its dismantlement on February 28.
All ride and equipment sales are being handled through irmrides.com
Did you visit Joyland while it was still open? Share your memories of the park in the comments section below.
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