On brink of closure, Fresno’s Playland bounces back with new rides, a special event

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It’s been just over a year since Fresno Playland reopened under new operators.

It hasn’t been an easy go.

While the historic amusement park in Roeding Park got a much-needed injection of money and expertise (and a passionate advocate), it struggled with financial sustainability amid flagging attendance.

At one point, the park was days away from shuttering, again.

But six months later, the park remains in operation with a new stage and entertainment pavilion, new rides and a new outlook on its operations.

It just kicked of Summer Jam, a two-week event featuring live music and games, plus a limited run on seven exclusive rides. It continues through Sunday.

“The business model has changed,” says Davey Helm, owner of Helm and Sons Amusements, which operates the park.

“It’s gotten better,” he says.

“And we’re getting better at running it as well.”

While the park toyed with its pricing and hours of operation, the original plan was always based on getting a certain number of guests through the gates five or more days a week. “We had to get X number of people through the gates to make this thing sustainable,” Helm says.

“We’ve found the niche with three days a week.”

The new plan has the park open Friday, Saturday and Sunday at a $10 ticket price. Monthly passes are available for $25 and are “the best deal in the park,” Helm says. Twelve months gets you one month free, he says.

One day a month, there will be a $1 entrance price.

One day a year, the park will offer free admission.

Of course, the park is always looking for sponsors and options are available across the park at anywhere from $500 to $75,0000, including naming opportunities.

See: The upgraded train, which leaves from the refurbished W.B. and Louis Kyle Depot and runs the perimeter of Playland into neighboring Storyland Park. The park has also found success booking school tours. A roller coaster is a great way to explain a concert like inertia.

“We’re trying to be self-sustainable,” Helm says.

New to the park is an entertainment pavilion and stage that allows for live music and game-show style competitions. There’s trivia complete with podiums and buzzers for the contestants, but also talent shows (Fresno’s Got Talent happens Friday night as part of Summer Jam).

Having a workable stage allows the park an opportunity to expand into ticketed events like concerts (both local and touring acts) and EDM weekends.

Helm and Sons does have a history working with the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.

New rides for Summer Jam 2024

For the most part, the park still carries the nostalgia. Its carousel is nearing 100 year old and has been completely overhauled. The iconic dragon coaster is still up and running with all its Art-Deco charm.

But Helm is testing the market some with Summer Jam.

He brought in several rides aimed at an older demographic. They’ll be gone at the end of the month, but could return, depending on the reception.

There’s the Super Shot Tower, in which riders get dropped 100 feet at a force faster than gravity.

Joker’s Remix is a hybrid of a swing ride and teacups.

There is also something something called Blackout. It’s similar to the Zipper ride;its name a joking play on the possible consequences getting on.

“I’ve ridden it once,” Helms says.

“I won’t be riding it twice.”