Playland, Fresno’s historic amusement park, might be forced to close if business doesn’t pick up.
The west Fresno amusement park reopened just a few months ago after several years in the dark.
The backstory: Playland opened in 1955 and was a staple in Fresno at Roeding Park for decades.
- But the amusement park was closed for several years, nearly being demolished during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Helm and Sons Amusement, a California family-run company, took over as Playland’s new operator and reopened the amusement park in June.
Driving the news: ABC 30 reported that Playland’s reopening might be short-lived due to poor attendance, giving Helm and Sons Amusement little option but to shutter operations.
- Playland is offering various extra attractions over the next few months to help attract people, such as a pumpkin patch for Halloween and three days of snow around Christmas, as well as new rides once the calendar flips to November.
- But without higher attendance the park is facing a closing date at the start of the new year.
- City leaders reportedly will meet with Playland’s operators next week to discuss the future of the amusement park.
