Playland Park (Indiana) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Playland Park
Springbrook Park circa 1910
Type	Urban park
Location	South Bend, Indiana, United States
Area	35 acres (14 ha)
Created	1880
Closed	1961
Status	Defunct

Playland Park was a popular amusement park located in South Bend, Indiana. It offered fun rides, exciting races, and live music for many years. The park was situated near the St. Joseph River, Ironwood Drive, and Lincolnway East.

The Start of Playland Park

Playland Park first opened in 1880. It was originally known as Springbrook Park. At that time, it was a "trolley park." This meant it was built at the end of a trolley line to encourage people to ride the trolley.

Early Attractions and Fun

By 1912, Springbrook Park had grown quite a bit. It featured a large building called a Casino, which was a place for entertainment and events. There was also an exhibition hall and a thrilling roller coaster for visitors to enjoy.

New Name, New Excitement

In 1916, a race track was added to the park, bringing even more excitement. A big change happened in 1924 when Pete Redden became the park's manager. He held a contest to give the park a new name. The winning name was "Playland Park." The roller coaster also got a new name: the "Jack Rabbit."

Sports and Entertainment at Playland

Playland Park was more than just an amusement park. It was also a major center for sports and entertainment in South Bend.

Baseball Games and Famous Teams

The park had its own baseball field. Many local teams played there, including the South Bend Benders minor league team. The famous South Bend Blue Sox also played most of their games at Playland Park. The Blue Sox were part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Thrilling Auto Races

The race track at Playland Park hosted exciting events. On July 20, 1952, a NASCAR race was held there. Tim Flock won the race, with Lee Petty coming in second place. Herb Thomas started the race from the "pole position," meaning he had the best starting spot.

Other Grandstand Events

The grandstand at the park was a busy place. Besides auto races, it also hosted horse racing. Many spectacular fireworks shows lit up the night sky. For many years, the park was also home to the 4-H Fair, a popular event for young people.

Music and Dance Hall

Playland Park had a large dance hall that attracted huge crowds. Famous bands and musicians performed there, including Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington, and Ozzie Nelson. On weekends, 2,000 to 3,000 people would gather to dance and listen to the music.

What Happened to Playland Park?

In 1961, Playland Park closed its gates for good. The land was then transformed into a lighted par-3 golf course. This golf course operated for 40 years before it also closed.

Today, the area where Playland Park once stood is used for student housing for Indiana University South Bend. Only some concrete from the old grandstands remains as a reminder of the park's exciting past.