WICHITA, Kansas – It’s been closed for a few years but Tuesday came new attempts to bring Joyland, a Wichita tradition dating back to 1949, back to life.
Jerry Dowdy appeared in front of the Wichita City Council, asking for a loan to revive the amusement park. He says not only is Joyland a big part of Wichita’s history but Wichitans need an inexpensive place to have some fun.Dowdy admits he doesn’t have any background in amusement parks, but he says he has Joyland in his heart, having experienced it as a child.He is asking the city for a $2 million loan for the purchase of Joyland. The city, however, says it’s too early to talk about the money and directed Dowdy to do some due diligence first.Dowdy says he will, because this is a project he strongly believes in."It is a big project, but we can have people help us,” said Dowdy. “The people in Wichita don't have the money to go out of town to go to these parks. If we can make this park work where they can come in, an everyday working person, and come in for $25 to $30 and enjoy the whole evening and day, these people will be there."Dowdy says he would also like to take part of the amusement park and build a school for the blind, saying Wichita has no such facility.
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