ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa | One of the Great Lakes' signature features will mark a major milestone in 2015. Arnolds Park Amusement Park will celebrate its 125th year in a series of quasquicentennial events.
The park is full of options such as a rare wooden roller coaster, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, tilt-a-whirl and a winding train ride.
Lisa Erdmann, of Moville has loved going go the amusement park ever since she was a teenager growing up in Le Mars. She's said she's glad it's open for family fun options throughout the late spring and summer.
"It's clean, it's kid-friendly," she said. "They're always very kind with the kids."
The park was started in 1889 by W.B. Arnold, who created a waterslide for people to spill into the south side of West Lake Okoboji. There were two parks in that area over the years, but they ultimately were combined in 1975, with the Arnolds Park Amusement Park name continuing today.
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One of the primary attractions is a wooden roller coaster -- the 13th oldest such coaster in the U.S. The Legend was built in 1927. The roller coaster got a makeover for the 2014 season, which resulted in a smoother ride experience.
"The nostalgia that the coaster brings is unique to our area," said Di Lorenzen, Arnolds Park marketing and communications manager. "There are people who come from all over the world just to ride our roller coaster."
She said the park isn't like a theme park in major cities, but has more of a feel like Coney Island in New York City.
"It is very Iowan, that kind of hometown feel," Lorenzen said.
Season passes go for $75, while daily passes run from $21 to $27.
The park nearly closed in 1999, when a plan to raze the park and build a 50-house subdivision was launched by a Sioux Falls business. Chuck Long, the man who founded a Sergeant Bluff successful telecommunications business, owned the park and nearly sold it to Don Dunham, a commercial real estate developer.
A major community fundraising drive ensued. By raising and borrowing a combined $5.5 million, the park was spared. The debt was paid off in 2005.
Since that time the park has been operated as a nonprofit entity under the direction of the Historic Arnolds Park Inc., or HAPI, group. That entity also oversees the large Queen II excursion boat that plies West Lake Okoboji many times daily for tours, as well as the Preservation Plaza green space where concerts are held east of the park.
This year, the Queen II will get a new engine and renovated interior after a successful fundraising drive. Preservation Plaza will show family movies outdoors after sunset on Wednesdays from June 17 to Aug. 12.
Inside the park, three new elements will be available. A Wax Hands game will allow people to make replicas of their hands by dipping them in wax, while a series of musical instruments will be placed throughout the facility for people to strum or beat in the Harmony Park feature.
The decades-old Mirror Maze will be modernized, too.
"It was showing its age," Lorenzen said. "It's going to be even more fun."
There are several special events in the 125th year of Arnolds Park Amusement Park. The park opens for the year on May 16, then the June 13-15 weekend will have many events, including a kickoff parade with free ice cream and cake.
Others will be added as the summer goes on. More details about the 125th activities are available at www.arnoldspark.com.
