Playland (Fresno) facts for kids
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| Location | 890 W. Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA, United States |
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| Coordinates | 36°45′06″N 119°49′25″W / 36.751689°N 119.823531°W |
| Opened | 1955 |
| Owner | Fresno Rotary Clubs |
| Operated by | Playland and Storyland Board |
| Theme | Carnival and Circus |
| Operating season | Year-round |
| Website | https://playlandfresno.com/ |
Playland is a fun amusement park located inside Roeding Park in Fresno, California. It opened in 1955. Playland shares its space with Storyland, another park, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
For many years, Playland and Storyland competed with the Zoo for visitors. But by 2015, fewer people were visiting Playland and Storyland. The Fresno Chaffee Zoo had also become much more popular.
So, Playland and Storyland started a big repair project in 2015. The Fresno Rotary Clubs own Playland and Storyland. They decided to work with the nonprofit group that runs the Chaffee Zoo. Now, they offer special deals to encourage people to visit all three parks.
Park History: Fun Times and Changes
How Playland Started and Grew
Playland first opened its gates in 1955. This was just six weeks before Disneyland opened in Anaheim! Local Rotary Clubs in Fresno helped make it happen. Dr. Joe Logan, who led the North Fresno Rotary, suggested the idea. The clubs worked together to raise money and build the park.
On its very first day, Playland sold 14,000 ride tickets. Each ticket cost only 10 cents! The park paid off all its building costs within three years. Playland was smaller than Disneyland. But it offered a cheaper option for families. This helped it attract over 250,000 visitors in its first year.
Playland was built in the southwest part of Roeding Park. California State Route 99 runs along its western side. At that time, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo was small but well-liked. Building an amusement park seemed like a great idea. It could use the zoo's popularity. It also helped add to the city's culture. Plus, it raised money for important public projects.
When Playland first opened, it had a merry-go-round. It also had a small roller coaster. A miniature diesel train was also a big hit. This train traveled around Lake Washington. Lake Washington is an artificial pond where people could swim. Seven years later, Storyland was built across Lake Washington. The train system was then connected. A second station was added. This allowed passengers to travel easily between both parks.
The Fresno Rotary Clubs owned and ran Playland and Storyland. This meant that any money the parks earned went back into the community. The Playland board of directors decided how to use the profits. For example, in 1964, Playland money helped buy 50 acres of land. This land was used to create Woodward Park. More money went to the Zoo's reptile house. It also funded a new home for Nosey the elephant. Nosey was the zoo's first elephant. She used to live in a concrete and steel cage. Funds also helped buy land for Logan Park. And they supported the Shinzen Friendship Garden.
Playland and Storyland were on the edge of Roeding Park. This meant they didn't have much room to grow. The zoo, however, had plenty of space to expand. This led to a friendly rivalry between Playland and the Zoo. The Rotary Clubs then formed the Playland and Storyland Board. This helped them work together better for both parks.
Over many decades, the Zoo grew much larger. It soon had more visitors than Playland and Storyland. The amusement parks then started losing money. But the Fresno Rotary kept them open. They saw the parks as an important part of Fresno's history.
Park Renovations and Re-Opening
After years of struggling, Playland and Storyland did not open for the 2015 season. Daniel Leith, a board member, explained why. They needed money to fix sidewalks damaged by trees. They also needed to improve irrigation systems, landscaping, rides, and bathrooms. Plus, they needed funds for daily operations. Visitor numbers were very low at the time.
Officials from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corp. confirmed they were talking about buying Playland and Storyland. However, the Zoo was also being renovated. It was using special funds from "Measure Z." These funds could not be used to help the neighboring parks.
When The Fresno Bee newspaper reported on Playland's closure, people in the community responded. They showed a lot of support throughout the year. On July 6, a letter was published in the newspaper. Cathy Caples suggested that locals turning 60 years old donate $60. This was for the "Save Storyland" campaign. It was also Playland's 60th birthday. Some even suggested a "Storyland/Playland tax." This would be a sales tax to send money directly to the parks. An editorial in the Fresno Bee in 2015 shared the parks' history. It also asked for local donations.
In September 2015, Elaine Robles-McGraw shared good news. She was Storyland's volunteer director. She announced that Storyland and Playland had received enough money. They would reopen for the 2016 season! The Playland and Storyland Board also announced a new plan. They would work with the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. They would offer discounts and plan special events. These events, like Halloween and Christmas celebrations, would match the zoo's schedule.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact
In March 2020, Playland, Storyland, and the Fresno Chaffee Zoo closed. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 22, the zoo reopened. But on July 13, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an order. The zoo could only be open for outdoor activities. All indoor facilities had to remain closed.
Park Operations
Closures Over the Years
Playland has closed for its season three times since it opened:
- In 2015, after almost 60 years, the park closed. It needed money for renovations. Local and government support quickly raised the funds. The park reopened for the 2016 season.
- In 2020 and 2021, the park closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This closure was still ongoing as of January 2021.
