Wonderland Park (Texas)

Wonderland Park

Previously known as Kiddie Land
Location	US 287 at NE 24th Ave in Thompson Park, Amarillo, Texas, U.S.
Coordinates	35.240752°N 101.832090°W / 35.240752; -101.832090
Opened	1951 Hours = Mon Tue And Thu Fri Sat-Sun
Owner	Roads and Borchardt Development
General manager	Paul and Alethea Roads, Paul and Paula Borchardt
Operating season	March through September
Attractions
Total	30
Roller coasters	4
Water rides	5
Website	www.wonderlandpark.com

Wonderland Park is an amusement park located in Thompson Memorial Park, Amarillo, Texas.

Park History

More than 65 years ago with a grand dream to build an amusement park, Paul and Alethea Roads traveled from San Angelo to Amarillo, Texas where they came across a bleak stretch of land in what is now beautiful Thompson Park.

“There were no trees, just scrub grass and sand burrs,” Mrs. Roads remembered. “It was so pitiful, we started back to San Angelo but only got so far as Canyon before we decided to give the location a second look.”

With a promise of improvements that included transplanted trees, Mark Miles, the director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Amarillo at that time, convinced the Roads to give Amarillo a try.

After months and months of hard work and perseverance, the Roads long-awaited dream finally came true on August 12, 1951, when Kiddie Land opened its doors for the first time. The Park featured three rides, the Hershell Kiddie Boat Ride, the Lil’ Dipper Roller Coaster and the Kiddie Car Ride built by Mr. Roads himself.

Although Kiddie Land was an instant hit with area residents, Mr. Roads had to take another job to make ends meet. During the day, he worked as a fabricator at the Amarillo Air Force Base and at night he ran Kiddie Land. This went on for more than 10 years, until he decided to focus his attention full-time on growing the popular Amusement Park.

In 1969, several new rides were added that appealed to people of all ages, including the ever-popular Bumper Cars. It was at this time that Paul and Alethea decided to change the name from Kiddie Land to Wonderland Amusement Park. Over the next few years, dozens of rides were added, including the famous Fantastic Journey, which Mr. Roads built by hand.

The importance of family has always had a profound influence on the creation and expansion of Wonderland Park. The Roads raised two children at the Park, Danny and Paula. Paula and her husband, Paul Borchardt, now operate the Park continuing the long family legacy.

With a triple major in naval science, marketing and accounting, and an MBA in accounting, Paul brought business acumen to the Park that helped it evolve into the third largest amusement park in Texas.

Paul and Paula’s eldest daughter, Rebecca Parker, also works at the Park. She is a CPA with an MBA and serves as controller. Rebecca’s children, also help out at Wonderland, marking the 4th generation to help run this family-owned dynasty.

Today, Wonderland Park is an iconic regional landmark that attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year. The Borchardt’s continue to operate on a commitment to family values, safety and cleanliness, in which Paul and Alethea built the Park. Mr. Roads died in 2003 and Mrs. Roads died in 2016.

Wonderland Park received the 2009 Publisher's Pick Award from Amusement Today magazine.

Looking south towards the Texas Tornado and Shoot the Chute

Attractions

• Amusement Park Rides
• Miniature Golf
• Arcade/Games
• The Food Booth
• Drink Booth
• Cotton Candy Booth

Main rides

• Bumper Cars
• Fantastic Journey
• Fiesta Swing
• Himalaya
• Pirate
• The Rainbow
• Scrambler
• Sky Ride
• Sky Rider
• Tilt-A Whirl
• Wonder Wheel
• Texas Intimidator
• Drop of Fear
• Balloons

Water rides

• Thunder Jet Racers
• Big Splash Log Flume
• Pipeline Plunge
• Rattlesnake River Raft Ride
• Shoot The Chute

Roller coasters

• Texas Tornado
• Mouse Trap
• Cyclone
• Hornet

Children's rides

• Boats
• Cars
• Helicopters
• Froghopper
• Merry Go Round
• Train
• Kiddie Bumper Cars

External links

• Official website