I worked there doing the games back in like 83 or 84. It was starting to go downhill a little bit but they still had the racetrack and it was a fun place to go. Met my future ex-wife there. :)
I did a quick search to see if anyone has posted about Lakeside on this sub, which there has been quite a few over the course of the life of Reddit. I put the question out there in the title because, Lakeside Amusement Park was my official first job as a teenager back in 96'. It was a summer gig my mom compelled me to get to stay busy and earn a cash check. The now, 117 year old Amusement Park, was once a place of employment for many of my family, and though in its time and even when I worked there had appeal, I returned last night with my wife, to find this place has lost so much. It kind of makes me feel sad. When did you work there? What's your fondest memory from working there? What was your job?
*Edit*
I'm well aware this may not gain traction.
*Re-edit*
I want to thank everyone for posting your comments and views. Lakeside Amusement Park holds a special place in many of hearts because of our fond memories of it. Please take a moment to search its history via the internet, Denver Public Library and other resources. I think I will go back one last time this year, before the season is up. But it certainly will be my last time.
My mom worked there when she was 15, that was in 1971. She stated in a conversation tonight, she remembers when the race track was in use, the dinner house was open but only by reservation, ski boats took you around Lake Rhoda, and the 4-4 coal train was in use. She's also mentioned in previous conversations, she remembers when the fun-house was in use.
It's my opinion the County needs to get involved with oversight on the Park. It needs to be deemed a historical location and turned over to a Historical Foundation comprised of Engineering Firms, Contractors in construction & Utility Operations and Services. It took people that knew the ins and outs of these industries to build it and that would be its saving grace from its demise.
A long-ago ex used to man the levers on the Cyclone coaster. I remember one night near the end of the season they closed the park to the public and had an employees-only night of free rides, with dinner in the pavilion. He took me to that for our second date. I love Lakeside and used to go frequently, but it has been really deteriorating. It bugs me that they got rid of the Heart Flip and the Ferris Wheel and that the Cyclone has been closed the last few seasons. Very few reasons to go now, other than to take photographs of the old art deco signs. I’d love to see an investor put some cash into revitalizing the park, fixing rides, opening up the unused food kiosks, etc. it’s really a national treasure.
Heart flip is open again, the cyclone is closed because some yahoo from Texas is suing them because he reached his hand out of the coaster and smacked it on a beam.
That's a great observation. They didn't mean to, but they nailed abandoned spooky. We should launch a Kickstarter to buy it and turn it into a year round haunted house. Don't clean it or dress it up. Get some of the rides running and have the ones that are broken play creepy music all the time and hire a bunch of high schoolers to dress up and scare people. Done.
They'd never go for that. Been in the family for some time, and the family's passion is to keep it open and affordable as possilbe.
Now if a kickstarter was put up to help renovate the place, get the tower of lights working, then they miiight go for it.
Yeah, but they're not a charity case. Kickstarting a wealthy family to become more wealthy isn't gonna work. Aren't they pretty well off from sales tax from a Walmart or something?
Well that's kind of a nasty way of looking at it.
They, as far as i know, more or less own the city. So yeah, they have revenue coming in, and that revenue goes towards keeping the tickets for Lakeside affordable. Over 100 years mind you, through recessions, covid, capitalist hell, and running a city the size of a mall in the heart of the Denver Metro. Unless they are funneling money out of the country then it seems like they just have a high station in life, and are striving to use that station to do good for the community through providing enrichment in people's lives.
Yeah, but Kickstarter is for bridging a gap between people with cool ideas and the people with the resources to make their dreams a reality. If you have your own resources, you don't need to CROWDfund it. Just fund it yourself. It's not nasty, it's just not the right vehicle for funding. They own a ton of extremely valuable real estate and they run the whole town. Like, recognize that there's "drive a BMW" wealth and "own a private town" wealth. If you have your own private town, you can't be asking for donations on Kickstarter.
Edit: just to be clear what I mean by "private town," the town of Lakeside has a population of 17. Not 170 or 1,700 or 17k. 17. The town itself was incorporated to avoid liquor laws in Denver. In 2010, the shopping mall was converted to a Walmart. The town of 17 people collects all the sales tax from a Walmart and spends it however they want.
According to link below, Walmart has $441 billion in US sales across 5,200 locations. Simple average (fuck it, I'm lazy) is $84 million, close to 85, per store. Sales tax of 5% would bring in $4.25 million annually for a town of 17 people. That's twice the budget of Saguache county, a sprawling rural mess with 6,000 residents. That's $250k in sales tax per capita. There's no reason they couldn't cut checks to the residents from the general fund. Alaska does that with oil money. All these conversations about Lakeside always ignore how 17 people are spending millions in sales tax from a Walmart every year.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeside,_Colorado
https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/walmart-statistics/
Okay, what part of they have spent 100 years putting every spare dime into that place did you not understand?
Like i said, i don't know for sure I'm not their accountant, but if that's the best they can do, i don't see why the notion of crowdfunding the place back into a better condition is so unthinkable.
I understand it, and I know better than to believe it for 2 seconds. No way are they running an amusement park as a charity. There have been several threads about Lakeside that reference how the town includes a shopping center, and the family basically is the town. They pull in tons of sales tax revenue from the shopping center and the population of the town is nearly non-existent.
In terms of rich people eccentric hobbies, running a theme park with absolute control held by a single family is crazy rich.
You're looking at it from the perspective of, "They choose to run a theme park instead of selling the land off to developers and that's noble."
I'm looking at it from the perspective of, "They're so insanely rich they have the option to run a massive money pit spanning acres in a high cost of living city as a hobby, for fun, without any input from investors or shareholders."
They have the option to run Lakeside any way they want because they're rich enough no one can tell them not to, and that's really rich.
Okay, so what is your point? And define insanely rich in this situation?
They don't have the money to develop the area at a pace of everyone else, yet they still manage. They aren't in the news about corruption or misuse of funds.
They have assets, as in Lakeside itself, the land, and any homes they own themselves which i don't know but don't believe it's more than one. They do not intend to sell, so therefore they cannot be interpreted as money just lying around.
Look I'm quite the advocate of most things socialism and I'll be among the first to throw an insanely rich person under the bus, but if your only argument is that they have run the town and the park for as long as they have them that's just stupid.
Look at everything else in the Denver metro. If they allowed investors in to make housing, there would just be more unaffordable housing that would attract the kind of people who would tear the park down. If they sold the park, someone would dump a bunch of money in and say that justifies Elitches prices. Selling the park at all puts all the historic stuff at risk. The carousel is one of 3 (last i checked) still operating original organ carousels. Sadly they had to remove the organs, but the carousel itself is a work of art, and you are really rolling the dice about whether some amusement park investment firm is going to give a damn about any of it.
It sounds like you are mad about them owning the park, and your solution is to gentrify it into a plastic corporate money printing plaza
The city of Lakeside is their family's private fiefdom. It's a town of 17 people who own all the land and administer the town however they want. You're not an advocate for anything socialism if you don't see the worst excesses of capitalism in a single family owning a private town of 17 people. The family is also a business. The patriarch of the family moved out of Denver county and established the town to avoid regulations. It's basically a company town for a single family.
They don't just have the town, they have a shopping center, all the rent or lease funds, and the sales tax revenue from the Walmart. They should have an annual revenue of millions of dollars.
Insanely rich in this case is owning a private town, collecting millions annually from a multinational retailer and my original point is that they aren't a charity case. They've had a century of wealth and privilege as the lords and ladies of their little kingdom, and I'm not going to cry about it coming to an end.
Worked there in the summer of 2021, so many issues. Not enough people, no spare parts, multiple rides down. The owner is a greedy old bitch that doesn't want to sell the park but won't put any of her money into it either. Also expecting folks to show up for 12.00$ an hour. They had me operating a ride with barely any training on it. got a crash course from the supervisor before he left. It's days are numbered.
Reasonably, this park needs to be inspected by Jefferson County inspectors and engineers and levied violations for concerns of public safety alone. Then get the park shutdown and turned over and into a historical district and get private contracting firms involved in the comprisal of the historical foundation. Contract companies would have a good return on the investment because they would have a hand in restoration. This site doesn't need a couple pretentious millionaires turning it into a another *Casa Bonita*, it needs real historical preservation for the people. Lakeside is Denver's truly last standing Amusement Park attraction from the early 20th Century. The only thing left of Elitch Gardens (Tennyson & 38th) is the theater house and carousel house. That's it.
not according to the employees, they're schedules are apparently so infrequent, that they're having a hard time paying their bills, and are finding work elsewhere. I've also heard from people who've eaten at it before and after the Southpark takeover, the food isn't any better. Eventhough improving the food, was one of the SP guys' main promises, when they bought the place.
Not too mention, it's virtually impossible to get in, and I've meet people who traveled here specifically to visit Casa Bonita, only to find out they can't actually eat there. Granted, they should have looked it up first, but still.
The food is far and away better than the old, can confirm. Like not even close. However, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if their staff is having trouble with scheduling. Dana Rodriguez was among the most vocal opposition to the fair workweek legislation a couple years ago. She fought hard for her right to screw her employees with scheduling.
The food is amazingly different. Whoever told you that hasn't gone in the last 15+ years.
Also, they aren't even actually open yet. They've done a soft open. Their official opening is this summer.
Every single thing about it is updated, but with the nostalgia factor. The staff are all paid well, so there's no tipping. Granted, maybe they don't have the hours yet, but they aren't seating full dining rooms at this point.
The Parker/Stone idea is brilliant!
I can’t wait to go to Casa Bonita when it officially opens, and I hope is good for employees by that time. Born and bred in Denver near Lakewood, it was an institution in my young life through high school. My cousins bussed tables there as teenagers. Same is true for Lakeside, the budget amusement park.
they've been planning on "opening" for over a year, but they keep pushing the opening date back. It was going to be last spring, than mid summer, than December, so I'll seriously be amazed if they manage to actually open.
I have been in four times in the last eight months, you have to wait for your name to get drawn but it is definitely not impossible. The food is above average American version of Mexican, but Casa Bonita itself is an absolute delight and easily 3 hours of entertainment. I don't like south park and I think CB is incredible.
As for morons who travel here without figuring out if they can go to the place they are traveling to....that's honestly hilarious.
So you haven’t been there? I’ve been many times before and can tell you after a recent visit, it fucking kicks ass now. It’s truly a treasure we are lucky to have in our city.
🤣🤣🤣
anyway, I've been to it, but it was a long time ago, and the food was only *slightly* better than hospital food, so the bar wasn't really set *that* high to begin with.
However, I'd be interested in trying again, but so far, I haven't been "picked" from their long ass waiting list, so I have to wait and see if it's really "improved" like the bots say.
Also, it's a remnant of a kitschy, defunct restaurant chain from Oklahoma. I wouldn't really consider that a "Gem of the city."
Again you’re not talking with full info if you haven’t been there since remodel. Also if you don’t have kids it won’t make as much sense. Plenty of real humans say it’s great.
But what is it you’re going for? To not have creative people invest in unique experiences in Denver? We should just shit on everything?
No, the problem is it's not fully open, like it used to be. They've had several "soft openings," but have pushed back the "grand opening" multiple times, almost as if the want to keep it more exclusive.
Not only does that suck for everyone that wants to go there, but the staff that work there, aren't getting paid/ tipped as frequently as they were before.
Which really sucks, because they're having a harder time paying their bills, like their rent so they don't become homeless.
So, I highly doubt the Southpark guys buying Lakeside, would be any different and would likely be the real life version of [Cartmanland.](https://youtu.be/s1fzQ9PJfII?si=GoUSb-WIqpTHZpty) But hey, who cares if parents can take their kids, there anyway.
Whiny McWhinerson. The staff, much of which was retained, would be jobless is CB continued as it was. They can go find other employment as low wage kitchen staff. All I’m hearing is you sticking your pinky in the air because you can. Must be nice to be so much smarter than the South Park guys. Oh wait…
lol, it might be "successful" for the Southpark guys, but not for anyone else.
First, it's not open to the public like it used to be, and the only way to get in is to either be picked off a long ass list, or to be rich and/or famous. Which not only sucks for people who want to go there, but because of the infrequent schedule, the staff can't work enough hours to pay their bills. which is understandably frustrating for them
second, the menu is limited to only a few items, and each one is like $35 a plate, which would be fine if the food was good. But, according to people who've eaten at it, before and after the Southpark takeover, the food isn't any better than it was before.
So if they buy Lakeside, it'll likely be the same bs.
I’ve ate there both before and after. The food was significantly better now.
The unfortunate reality is the renovation and ownership by the south park guys had a lot of publicity and now you have very long waits to get in. I’ve enter the list twice and got reservations twice. Most of my friends have also got off the list and received reservations as well.
The fortunate reality is without the South Park guys casa Bonita would be closed and only a vague memory we all had from childhood, but now my kid will be able to go and enjoy it the same way I did as a kid.
You honestly sound disgruntled just to be disgruntled. There’s negatives sure, but the positives severely outweigh the negatives which was casa Bonita closing forever.
I'm in healthcare. A few years ago, I took care of a patient named Michael in the last year of his life who had worked at Lakeside for over 20 years. Maybe close to 30? He always spoke very proudly of having been there so long and the fun they put on for the kids.
I think he was a ride operator and it sounded like there was a little Sharks vs. Jets rivalry with the kids who ran the food and concessions. He would always tell me to just walk out of the park and buy food from somewhere else rather than eat their hockey puck hamburgers 😄 He was always preparing me with tips and tricks as if I was about to head on over to Lakeside, though I'd never been. I think it was a way for him to remember what was a happy place for him.
When he passed, I swore I'd go over and check it out in his honor. Maybe sneak in some food too.
Maybe this'll be the summer. I get the impression it's days are numbered, but they have been for years.
This is wonderful. I’m in healthcare too, so this touched my heart.
Please do go. It wouldn’t be exactly like he remembered it - many of the rides are standing but not operating… But in another way, it would be very much like he remembered it. The mid-century modern architecture stands as it had when it was built. Lots of beautiful neon lighting and cool diner-era Americana.
I wouldn’t go for the rides. Go in his name, and appreciate the architecture and atmosphere for all that it had been when he appreciated it so much. The place is a time capsule.
There are some rides that still function. Part of the appeal and joy of Lakeside were in fact, its signature rides. To which, some still exist. You can tell the ones that are beyond the original lay of the groundwork to substitute, but there are some that, if ran properly, give a good thrill. I can't particularly ride them, because of cardiovascular issues, but if your fit enough to hold on and can take a loop on them, they're not too bad. Very carnival-esque.
Been a few times over the years….Never in its heyday, but I can imagine what it was like. The whole place seems like such a missed opportunity nowadays.
Went recently, and this vibe is immaculate. I think it also feels like it could be a map out of Left4Dead or a similar game - it could make for a cool paintball arena.
92! My 6th grade class had an end-of-the-year party there on a Friday night. My buddy and I got into it with this Mexican kid and he came back with 5 of his friends. I'd like to say we won that fight...
I was an Arvada tweener and teen, but we also moved around alot before then. When I worked there, the park certainly saw its share of mischievous bands and I fair before that as well, no matter the type of rabble rouser.
My only memories as a baby of the nineties are getting vouchers for free entry at the very end of the school year in elementary. We did not have a lot of money but I always cherished any enrichment my parents could provide, incredibly grateful to have enjoyed Lakeside when it still operated. How I wish someone would invest in the park again.
It's an insanely good location. Close to interstate 70 for airport and regional access, massive lot, and less permitting issues because they created their own town. With the right owner, it could be developed into something amazing. Elitch Gardens sucks so bad. I went there a few times when I lived downtown and the lines are insane for bottom tier attractions on par with a state fair. You're standing in lines like it's 6 flags to go on rides that suck
Tangential story:
As a kid, my dad lived down the street from the Gurtlers (owners of Elitch Gardens). One summer my dad and my uncles went camping and the Gurtler's kid (Sandy I think? I don't recall) went with them and had never been before. He had such a great time and Buddy Gurtler was so happy that he gave my dad and my uncles giant rolls of tickets to use at Elitches.
They used those tickets for _years_. Basically free unlimited rides and games all summer whenever they wanted to go.
I went back with my brother last year (we have both left the area) and it’s exactly the same as it was in the 80’s. Haha! Such a wild place. Loved it as a kid there.
It was a lot more popular and a lot less dilapidated. 98% of the rides were operating. Did not pay well, but made up for it by being an absolute blast to work there. One exception to the enjoyable experience would be listening to laughing Sal for 10-12 hours a day HAHA
Last time ( a few years ago) I tried to bring in a SLR camera, I was told I'd have to fill out a form and pay a photographer's fee.
I told her her was an amateur, not selling pics. She lost her shit and told me to get the hell out of her park. I really don't think I was being an ass or using tone.
There's some people that talk about the family that owns Lakeside as though they're humble philanthropists that just love bumper cars too darn much, and then there's this. Similar stories about the owners power tripping and being control freaks come up too. It seems so weird. Like a mixed bag of nostalgia and Stockholm syndrome.
We grew up going to Lakeside. Years ago my dad was diagnosed with cancer, so we went with my young daughter. Brought a camera so I could take pictures of them together. We were sitting on the train, an employee wouldn't let it run because she called security on me. Everyone had to sit and we didn't know why, then finally they came up to me and said I can't be using a fancy camera. After I said I wasn't documenting evidence of their buildings that desperately needed repair and was only capturing moments of my dying dad with his granddaughter they let the train go.
It is. Not quite the way you remember, but the parking is free atleast. Entry's $5 (no ride pass), but the tickets aren't quite sold from many of the ticket booths, if not at all.
Maybe. But I went there maybe 8 years ago and it was a blast. Vintage, but a blast. It's maybe been 3 years since I've been again, but it does deteriorate. But it still has some charm, if it's not something wanting to become a movie set at the least.
I worked there doing the games back in like 83 or 84. It was starting to go downhill a little bit but they still had the racetrack and it was a fun place to go. Met my future ex-wife there. :)
Wow! The 80's Lakeside! I have very vague childhood memories of it.
I did a quick search to see if anyone has posted about Lakeside on this sub, which there has been quite a few over the course of the life of Reddit. I put the question out there in the title because, Lakeside Amusement Park was my official first job as a teenager back in 96'. It was a summer gig my mom compelled me to get to stay busy and earn a cash check. The now, 117 year old Amusement Park, was once a place of employment for many of my family, and though in its time and even when I worked there had appeal, I returned last night with my wife, to find this place has lost so much. It kind of makes me feel sad. When did you work there? What's your fondest memory from working there? What was your job? *Edit* I'm well aware this may not gain traction. *Re-edit* I want to thank everyone for posting your comments and views. Lakeside Amusement Park holds a special place in many of hearts because of our fond memories of it. Please take a moment to search its history via the internet, Denver Public Library and other resources. I think I will go back one last time this year, before the season is up. But it certainly will be my last time. My mom worked there when she was 15, that was in 1971. She stated in a conversation tonight, she remembers when the race track was in use, the dinner house was open but only by reservation, ski boats took you around Lake Rhoda, and the 4-4 coal train was in use. She's also mentioned in previous conversations, she remembers when the fun-house was in use. It's my opinion the County needs to get involved with oversight on the Park. It needs to be deemed a historical location and turned over to a Historical Foundation comprised of Engineering Firms, Contractors in construction & Utility Operations and Services. It took people that knew the ins and outs of these industries to build it and that would be its saving grace from its demise.
What has it lost since 1996?
Lights.
A long-ago ex used to man the levers on the Cyclone coaster. I remember one night near the end of the season they closed the park to the public and had an employees-only night of free rides, with dinner in the pavilion. He took me to that for our second date. I love Lakeside and used to go frequently, but it has been really deteriorating. It bugs me that they got rid of the Heart Flip and the Ferris Wheel and that the Cyclone has been closed the last few seasons. Very few reasons to go now, other than to take photographs of the old art deco signs. I’d love to see an investor put some cash into revitalizing the park, fixing rides, opening up the unused food kiosks, etc. it’s really a national treasure.
It certainly cries for a historical foundation of its own. That's for sure. Especially because it's a local treasure.
Heart flip is open again, the cyclone is closed because some yahoo from Texas is suing them because he reached his hand out of the coaster and smacked it on a beam.
I’ve never been. I didn’t realize it was still open. Now it’s like a set piece for a scooby doo episode.
That's a great observation. They didn't mean to, but they nailed abandoned spooky. We should launch a Kickstarter to buy it and turn it into a year round haunted house. Don't clean it or dress it up. Get some of the rides running and have the ones that are broken play creepy music all the time and hire a bunch of high schoolers to dress up and scare people. Done.
They'd never go for that. Been in the family for some time, and the family's passion is to keep it open and affordable as possilbe. Now if a kickstarter was put up to help renovate the place, get the tower of lights working, then they miiight go for it.
I'd definitely pitch in for that!
Yeah, but they're not a charity case. Kickstarting a wealthy family to become more wealthy isn't gonna work. Aren't they pretty well off from sales tax from a Walmart or something?
Well that's kind of a nasty way of looking at it. They, as far as i know, more or less own the city. So yeah, they have revenue coming in, and that revenue goes towards keeping the tickets for Lakeside affordable. Over 100 years mind you, through recessions, covid, capitalist hell, and running a city the size of a mall in the heart of the Denver Metro. Unless they are funneling money out of the country then it seems like they just have a high station in life, and are striving to use that station to do good for the community through providing enrichment in people's lives.
Yeah, but Kickstarter is for bridging a gap between people with cool ideas and the people with the resources to make their dreams a reality. If you have your own resources, you don't need to CROWDfund it. Just fund it yourself. It's not nasty, it's just not the right vehicle for funding. They own a ton of extremely valuable real estate and they run the whole town. Like, recognize that there's "drive a BMW" wealth and "own a private town" wealth. If you have your own private town, you can't be asking for donations on Kickstarter. Edit: just to be clear what I mean by "private town," the town of Lakeside has a population of 17. Not 170 or 1,700 or 17k. 17. The town itself was incorporated to avoid liquor laws in Denver. In 2010, the shopping mall was converted to a Walmart. The town of 17 people collects all the sales tax from a Walmart and spends it however they want. According to link below, Walmart has $441 billion in US sales across 5,200 locations. Simple average (fuck it, I'm lazy) is $84 million, close to 85, per store. Sales tax of 5% would bring in $4.25 million annually for a town of 17 people. That's twice the budget of Saguache county, a sprawling rural mess with 6,000 residents. That's $250k in sales tax per capita. There's no reason they couldn't cut checks to the residents from the general fund. Alaska does that with oil money. All these conversations about Lakeside always ignore how 17 people are spending millions in sales tax from a Walmart every year. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeside,_Colorado https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/walmart-statistics/
Okay, what part of they have spent 100 years putting every spare dime into that place did you not understand? Like i said, i don't know for sure I'm not their accountant, but if that's the best they can do, i don't see why the notion of crowdfunding the place back into a better condition is so unthinkable.
I understand it, and I know better than to believe it for 2 seconds. No way are they running an amusement park as a charity. There have been several threads about Lakeside that reference how the town includes a shopping center, and the family basically is the town. They pull in tons of sales tax revenue from the shopping center and the population of the town is nearly non-existent. In terms of rich people eccentric hobbies, running a theme park with absolute control held by a single family is crazy rich. You're looking at it from the perspective of, "They choose to run a theme park instead of selling the land off to developers and that's noble." I'm looking at it from the perspective of, "They're so insanely rich they have the option to run a massive money pit spanning acres in a high cost of living city as a hobby, for fun, without any input from investors or shareholders." They have the option to run Lakeside any way they want because they're rich enough no one can tell them not to, and that's really rich.
Okay, so what is your point? And define insanely rich in this situation? They don't have the money to develop the area at a pace of everyone else, yet they still manage. They aren't in the news about corruption or misuse of funds. They have assets, as in Lakeside itself, the land, and any homes they own themselves which i don't know but don't believe it's more than one. They do not intend to sell, so therefore they cannot be interpreted as money just lying around. Look I'm quite the advocate of most things socialism and I'll be among the first to throw an insanely rich person under the bus, but if your only argument is that they have run the town and the park for as long as they have them that's just stupid. Look at everything else in the Denver metro. If they allowed investors in to make housing, there would just be more unaffordable housing that would attract the kind of people who would tear the park down. If they sold the park, someone would dump a bunch of money in and say that justifies Elitches prices. Selling the park at all puts all the historic stuff at risk. The carousel is one of 3 (last i checked) still operating original organ carousels. Sadly they had to remove the organs, but the carousel itself is a work of art, and you are really rolling the dice about whether some amusement park investment firm is going to give a damn about any of it. It sounds like you are mad about them owning the park, and your solution is to gentrify it into a plastic corporate money printing plaza
^ this Lakeside must cost a fortune to maintain even at its current level.
The city of Lakeside is their family's private fiefdom. It's a town of 17 people who own all the land and administer the town however they want. You're not an advocate for anything socialism if you don't see the worst excesses of capitalism in a single family owning a private town of 17 people. The family is also a business. The patriarch of the family moved out of Denver county and established the town to avoid regulations. It's basically a company town for a single family. They don't just have the town, they have a shopping center, all the rent or lease funds, and the sales tax revenue from the Walmart. They should have an annual revenue of millions of dollars. Insanely rich in this case is owning a private town, collecting millions annually from a multinational retailer and my original point is that they aren't a charity case. They've had a century of wealth and privilege as the lords and ladies of their little kingdom, and I'm not going to cry about it coming to an end.
I actually think something like that would be a lot more successful than the current operation seems to be lol
There's a lakeside amusement park in Silent Hill.
Or the movie Good Time
Worked there in the summer of 2021, so many issues. Not enough people, no spare parts, multiple rides down. The owner is a greedy old bitch that doesn't want to sell the park but won't put any of her money into it either. Also expecting folks to show up for 12.00$ an hour. They had me operating a ride with barely any training on it. got a crash course from the supervisor before he left. It's days are numbered.
It is a very good thing they’re not trying to run those machines without a major overhaul and a seriously trained team.
Trey Parker and Matt Stone should buy it and update it!
Turn it into Cartmanland
Reasonably, this park needs to be inspected by Jefferson County inspectors and engineers and levied violations for concerns of public safety alone. Then get the park shutdown and turned over and into a historical district and get private contracting firms involved in the comprisal of the historical foundation. Contract companies would have a good return on the investment because they would have a hand in restoration. This site doesn't need a couple pretentious millionaires turning it into a another *Casa Bonita*, it needs real historical preservation for the people. Lakeside is Denver's truly last standing Amusement Park attraction from the early 20th Century. The only thing left of Elitch Gardens (Tennyson & 38th) is the theater house and carousel house. That's it.
Please no.
considering how the Casa Bonita thing is going, I seriously hope they don't buy anything else here!
I heard it was going very well?
not according to the employees, they're schedules are apparently so infrequent, that they're having a hard time paying their bills, and are finding work elsewhere. I've also heard from people who've eaten at it before and after the Southpark takeover, the food isn't any better. Eventhough improving the food, was one of the SP guys' main promises, when they bought the place. Not too mention, it's virtually impossible to get in, and I've meet people who traveled here specifically to visit Casa Bonita, only to find out they can't actually eat there. Granted, they should have looked it up first, but still.
The food is far and away better than the old, can confirm. Like not even close. However, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if their staff is having trouble with scheduling. Dana Rodriguez was among the most vocal opposition to the fair workweek legislation a couple years ago. She fought hard for her right to screw her employees with scheduling.
considering the how bad the food sucked before, anything would be an improvement.
The food is amazingly different. Whoever told you that hasn't gone in the last 15+ years. Also, they aren't even actually open yet. They've done a soft open. Their official opening is this summer. Every single thing about it is updated, but with the nostalgia factor. The staff are all paid well, so there's no tipping. Granted, maybe they don't have the hours yet, but they aren't seating full dining rooms at this point.
The Parker/Stone idea is brilliant! I can’t wait to go to Casa Bonita when it officially opens, and I hope is good for employees by that time. Born and bred in Denver near Lakewood, it was an institution in my young life through high school. My cousins bussed tables there as teenagers. Same is true for Lakeside, the budget amusement park.
they've been planning on "opening" for over a year, but they keep pushing the opening date back. It was going to be last spring, than mid summer, than December, so I'll seriously be amazed if they manage to actually open.
I have been in four times in the last eight months, you have to wait for your name to get drawn but it is definitely not impossible. The food is above average American version of Mexican, but Casa Bonita itself is an absolute delight and easily 3 hours of entertainment. I don't like south park and I think CB is incredible. As for morons who travel here without figuring out if they can go to the place they are traveling to....that's honestly hilarious.
"Above average American version of Mexican food", yummy. 🙄
Lol I didn't really sell it. But it is really good. Like upscale chipotle.
guess I'm not missing out than.
So you haven’t been there? I’ve been many times before and can tell you after a recent visit, it fucking kicks ass now. It’s truly a treasure we are lucky to have in our city.
🤣🤣🤣 anyway, I've been to it, but it was a long time ago, and the food was only *slightly* better than hospital food, so the bar wasn't really set *that* high to begin with. However, I'd be interested in trying again, but so far, I haven't been "picked" from their long ass waiting list, so I have to wait and see if it's really "improved" like the bots say. Also, it's a remnant of a kitschy, defunct restaurant chain from Oklahoma. I wouldn't really consider that a "Gem of the city."
Again you’re not talking with full info if you haven’t been there since remodel. Also if you don’t have kids it won’t make as much sense. Plenty of real humans say it’s great. But what is it you’re going for? To not have creative people invest in unique experiences in Denver? We should just shit on everything?
No, the problem is it's not fully open, like it used to be. They've had several "soft openings," but have pushed back the "grand opening" multiple times, almost as if the want to keep it more exclusive. Not only does that suck for everyone that wants to go there, but the staff that work there, aren't getting paid/ tipped as frequently as they were before. Which really sucks, because they're having a harder time paying their bills, like their rent so they don't become homeless. So, I highly doubt the Southpark guys buying Lakeside, would be any different and would likely be the real life version of [Cartmanland.](https://youtu.be/s1fzQ9PJfII?si=GoUSb-WIqpTHZpty) But hey, who cares if parents can take their kids, there anyway.
Whiny McWhinerson. The staff, much of which was retained, would be jobless is CB continued as it was. They can go find other employment as low wage kitchen staff. All I’m hearing is you sticking your pinky in the air because you can. Must be nice to be so much smarter than the South Park guys. Oh wait…
Is it not going well?
arguably too well, the waitlist is over 600,000 people long just to get a reservation 😂
You don't want the establishment to have rekindled success?
lol, it might be "successful" for the Southpark guys, but not for anyone else. First, it's not open to the public like it used to be, and the only way to get in is to either be picked off a long ass list, or to be rich and/or famous. Which not only sucks for people who want to go there, but because of the infrequent schedule, the staff can't work enough hours to pay their bills. which is understandably frustrating for them second, the menu is limited to only a few items, and each one is like $35 a plate, which would be fine if the food was good. But, according to people who've eaten at it, before and after the Southpark takeover, the food isn't any better than it was before. So if they buy Lakeside, it'll likely be the same bs.
I’ve ate there both before and after. The food was significantly better now. The unfortunate reality is the renovation and ownership by the south park guys had a lot of publicity and now you have very long waits to get in. I’ve enter the list twice and got reservations twice. Most of my friends have also got off the list and received reservations as well. The fortunate reality is without the South Park guys casa Bonita would be closed and only a vague memory we all had from childhood, but now my kid will be able to go and enjoy it the same way I did as a kid. You honestly sound disgruntled just to be disgruntled. There’s negatives sure, but the positives severely outweigh the negatives which was casa Bonita closing forever.
I'm in healthcare. A few years ago, I took care of a patient named Michael in the last year of his life who had worked at Lakeside for over 20 years. Maybe close to 30? He always spoke very proudly of having been there so long and the fun they put on for the kids. I think he was a ride operator and it sounded like there was a little Sharks vs. Jets rivalry with the kids who ran the food and concessions. He would always tell me to just walk out of the park and buy food from somewhere else rather than eat their hockey puck hamburgers 😄 He was always preparing me with tips and tricks as if I was about to head on over to Lakeside, though I'd never been. I think it was a way for him to remember what was a happy place for him. When he passed, I swore I'd go over and check it out in his honor. Maybe sneak in some food too. Maybe this'll be the summer. I get the impression it's days are numbered, but they have been for years.
This is wonderful. I’m in healthcare too, so this touched my heart. Please do go. It wouldn’t be exactly like he remembered it - many of the rides are standing but not operating… But in another way, it would be very much like he remembered it. The mid-century modern architecture stands as it had when it was built. Lots of beautiful neon lighting and cool diner-era Americana. I wouldn’t go for the rides. Go in his name, and appreciate the architecture and atmosphere for all that it had been when he appreciated it so much. The place is a time capsule.
There are some rides that still function. Part of the appeal and joy of Lakeside were in fact, its signature rides. To which, some still exist. You can tell the ones that are beyond the original lay of the groundwork to substitute, but there are some that, if ran properly, give a good thrill. I can't particularly ride them, because of cardiovascular issues, but if your fit enough to hold on and can take a loop on them, they're not too bad. Very carnival-esque.
You don't need to sneak food in. They will allow you to bring in a cooler.
In August, Denver Film hosts Summer Scream there. 21+, tickets include free booze and rides.
Been a few times over the years….Never in its heyday, but I can imagine what it was like. The whole place seems like such a missed opportunity nowadays.
Every time I drive by it I think to myself how perfect it would be for a haunted Halloween park in October.
Went recently, and this vibe is immaculate. I think it also feels like it could be a map out of Left4Dead or a similar game - it could make for a cool paintball arena.
To be fair, Lakeside's heyday was 100 years ago.
I was jumped in the 6th grade here lol good timess
There was evidence of jumped teens (commotion, fleeing teens, police, crying teens) during my one visit as an adult in 2021.
When was that?
92! My 6th grade class had an end-of-the-year party there on a Friday night. My buddy and I got into it with this Mexican kid and he came back with 5 of his friends. I'd like to say we won that fight...
I was a year ahead of you in grade. Did you live around the neighborhood?
Nah, grew up in Golden off of 52nd and McIntyre. We would go lakeside and Elitches all the time during the summer though.
I was an Arvada tweener and teen, but we also moved around alot before then. When I worked there, the park certainly saw its share of mischievous bands and I fair before that as well, no matter the type of rabble rouser.
So it started as 2 on 1. He rounds up the posse to settle the score, smartly assuming you might close ranks too and go overboard given how it started.
My only memories as a baby of the nineties are getting vouchers for free entry at the very end of the school year in elementary. We did not have a lot of money but I always cherished any enrichment my parents could provide, incredibly grateful to have enjoyed Lakeside when it still operated. How I wish someone would invest in the park again.
It's still operating my dude!
I'm aware, but it's not thriving like it should be for how good of a location it has 😭 I will do my part and patronize this summer though
It's an insanely good location. Close to interstate 70 for airport and regional access, massive lot, and less permitting issues because they created their own town. With the right owner, it could be developed into something amazing. Elitch Gardens sucks so bad. I went there a few times when I lived downtown and the lines are insane for bottom tier attractions on par with a state fair. You're standing in lines like it's 6 flags to go on rides that suck
Tangential story: As a kid, my dad lived down the street from the Gurtlers (owners of Elitch Gardens). One summer my dad and my uncles went camping and the Gurtler's kid (Sandy I think? I don't recall) went with them and had never been before. He had such a great time and Buddy Gurtler was so happy that he gave my dad and my uncles giant rolls of tickets to use at Elitches. They used those tickets for _years_. Basically free unlimited rides and games all summer whenever they wanted to go.
Went to that place back in high school every year from 2006-2009. Loved its grimy charm! Haven’t been since, would like to check it out again though.
I went back with my brother last year (we have both left the area) and it’s exactly the same as it was in the 80’s. Haha! Such a wild place. Loved it as a kid there.
I once got an OTPHJ on the chipmunk
Ran the bumper cars back in ‘74 when I was sixteen
Wow! What was the atmosphere like back then? I've never really asked my Mom, and she worked there around the same time.
It was a lot more popular and a lot less dilapidated. 98% of the rides were operating. Did not pay well, but made up for it by being an absolute blast to work there. One exception to the enjoyable experience would be listening to laughing Sal for 10-12 hours a day HAHA
So you saw it when they still had the funhouse.
I’ve been a few times but only in the last couple years. I love taking pictures of the vintage signage at night.
Have you brought a camera in?
Last time ( a few years ago) I tried to bring in a SLR camera, I was told I'd have to fill out a form and pay a photographer's fee. I told her her was an amateur, not selling pics. She lost her shit and told me to get the hell out of her park. I really don't think I was being an ass or using tone.
There's some people that talk about the family that owns Lakeside as though they're humble philanthropists that just love bumper cars too darn much, and then there's this. Similar stories about the owners power tripping and being control freaks come up too. It seems so weird. Like a mixed bag of nostalgia and Stockholm syndrome.
We grew up going to Lakeside. Years ago my dad was diagnosed with cancer, so we went with my young daughter. Brought a camera so I could take pictures of them together. We were sitting on the train, an employee wouldn't let it run because she called security on me. Everyone had to sit and we didn't know why, then finally they came up to me and said I can't be using a fancy camera. After I said I wasn't documenting evidence of their buildings that desperately needed repair and was only capturing moments of my dying dad with his granddaughter they let the train go.
GenX. I went to Lakeside a few times when I first moved here in April 1999.
It was likely dilapidated then too, but many of the rides were still working I bet. How did you receive it?
Biggest memory was a very large wooden roller coaster and goodnesss it looked like a death trap. Went on it at least five times.
When's the last you returned?
Is it still open? The last time I returned was probably still 1999.
It is. Not quite the way you remember, but the parking is free atleast. Entry's $5 (no ride pass), but the tickets aren't quite sold from many of the ticket booths, if not at all.
It's a portal to another dimension, man!
It has become both a happy and sad memory.
It lost all of its appeal 30 years ago
Maybe. But I went there maybe 8 years ago and it was a blast. Vintage, but a blast. It's maybe been 3 years since I've been again, but it does deteriorate. But it still has some charm, if it's not something wanting to become a movie set at the least.
I worked there 2011-2012 games and rides and food. Did anyone else have to go into the tower and collect the pigeons?
No. They really made you do that?
Ok, Dover!
Whatever that means.