Lakeside Amusement....what do you know?

[Glock Shooter]

So I'm from NYC, don't hold it against me, very familiar with diversity, crowds, carnival atmospheres, etc. I took my family to Elitch last week for a company event and my kids just loved the "kiddie" rides. School is starting next week so I was thinking about taking them to Lakeside on Saturday. I mentioned it to someone at work and she said that it was not the friendliest of venues. Really? What do you guys know? Ever bring your kids there? My girls are 7 & 3, I was thinking they'd have a blast for a couple of hours then we'd go home.

I called and they don't have a metal detector nor do they wand their patrons.

[jhood001]

I haven't been there, but I have heard it is a gang hang-out 'at times'? I was curious about it myself after your post, so I looked around. Yelp has alot of reviews on it:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lakeside-amusement-park-denver-2

[TFOGGER]

Lakeside has been a second rate amusement park ever since I was a kid growing up in Lakewood, so at least the last 40 years. It has always had a rep for punks and hoodlums. I dunno if it's any worse now, because English has been the second language there basically forever.

[Mazin]

Its ok but really really really old, also I think that your co worker might have been commenting in the fact that since the park is really old and admision is cheap and the area while not being horrible is not the best ether. My advice is go back to elitches or maybe water world (not that fed heights is much better). Just my $.2

[JoeT]

I was there last week with my wife and kids (8 and 9)

The park was fairly empty, and it's not in the best neighborhood .

There was an area that a bunch of "kids" were hanging out. Lots of crappy tattoos, lots of bad language, lots of saggy pants. I don't know if they were a "gang"... they didn't bother us and we didn't bother them.

I'm not in a hurry to go back....there were a few rides that weren't working, and looked like they hadn't worked in a while.

I was carrying, and I'd bet that I wasn't the only one there with a gun

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Hell. I thought the damn thing had been closed for years. I used to go there when I was 10yrs old now 40. I thought it closed back in the mid 80's. Like Mazin it seemed old back then and now reallllyyy OLD. No thanks.

[Glock Shooter]

Fair enough, thanks for the advice.

[JohnTRourke]

Lakeside has been a second rate amusement park ever since I was a kid growing up in Lakewood, so at least the last 40 years. It has always had a rep for punks and hoodlums. I dunno if it's any worse now, because English has been the second language there basically forever.

This
hell we didn't go in the 80's cuz it was scary
NFW would I go now.

go to Elitch's

[Great-Kazoo]

there use to be a good mexican places on the north side of the street a few years back, might still be there.

[Mobat555]

We have gone with my daughter (6) and she enjoyed the kid rides. The crowds however are not exactly first rate and there were more then a few scary looking people. I felt the need to never let my little one get more then 3 ft away from me unless on a ride.

[JoeT]

if you decide to go, 5280 armory is just around the corner

[Irving]

You'd have to pay me to go to Elitches. I can't imagine that Lakeside is any more dangerous than Elitches. I'd say take them to either WaterWorld or Heritage Square.

[Rooskibar03]

Take them to Heritage square. There isnt a ton of rides but it's pretty affordable and my daughter loves the place. It's also a lot more family friendly then Lakeside.

[mevshooter]

It can be a little pricier, being an arcade at all, but Boondocks is a pretty cool place. My brothers and I used to play family friendly, kid safe shows up there on New Years Eve. It's in Northglen, north denver.

http://www.boondocksfuncenter.com/public/northglenn/aboutus.cfm

If you do unlimited packages it's cheaper. They have mini golf, go karts, roller coaster simulator, laser tag, and a ton of games. It's in a pretty good neighborhood, and I've never had any problems there.

There is also Fun City in Littleton, south west Denver area. They have bowling, laser tag, etc. As well as an arcade. I don't think it's as nice, but I believe it's bigger.

http://funcitycolorado.com/

Both places have areas for small children too. The interconnected tubes and ball pit type areas.

[jerrymrc]

Last time I was there was 88. That was the 50 year mark and the last year for racing. A spectator was killed by a flying piece of wood from the guardrail and they closed the track.

Used to be a fun little bullring. ;)

[Irving]

Heritage Square has pony rides and plenty of amusement park rides for kids as well. Perfect for both of your daughters. We just had a mini party for our 4 year-old there last weekend. No admission either.

[rondog]

if you decide to go, 5280 armory is just around the corner
Where? I go to Tami's Burger Haven and Edgewater Jeep Repair once in awhile, they're right on 44th, or 45th, whatever it is. Never seen 5280 Armory.

[Irving]

Other side of the highway Ron.

5280 is just north of I-70, and east of Wadsworth, on Marshall.

[yankeefan98121]

It can be a little pricier, being an arcade at all, but Boondocks is a pretty cool place. My brothers and I used to play family friendly, kid safe shows up there on New Years Eve. It's in Northgless, north denver.

http://www.boondocksfuncenter.com/public/northglenn/aboutus.cfm

If you do unlimited packages it's cheaper. They have mini golf, go karts, roller coaster simulator, laser tag, and a ton of games. It's in a pretty good neighborhood, and I've never had any problems there.

There is also Fun City in Littleton, south west Denver area. They have bowling, laser tag, etc. As well as an arcade. I don't think it's as nice, but I believe it's bigger.

http://funcitycolorado.com/

Both places have areas for small children too. The interconnected tubes and ball pit type areas.

+1 for Boodocks and Fun City. better atmosphere for the little ones IMHO

[rondog]

Other side of the highway Ron.

5280 is just north of I-70, and east of Wadsworth, on Marshall.
Ah, OK. Thanks! I should go check it out.

[babirl]

Not sure I'd bother...

B2

Memories for anybody that cares/CO natives:

My dad raced midgets almost weekly @ Lakeside back in the 60s, traveled CO and to NM, KS, and NE quite bit... I still remember the old Lakeside grandstand/crawling around as a kid w/ Mom trying to keep me entertained while she waited.

Kind of sad to think about Lakeside's current state, not to mention the current state of "real" car racing in CO.

http://www.denverpost.com/motorsports/ci_18359176

Hmm, Denver and NAPCAR, how's that new track coming along? [Rant1]

FWIW, I love the Mile High Nationals and the Bandimere family for all they do/have always done for CO; however, it's NOT the same as sprints/midgets/Indy Cars.

[Not_A_Llama]

if you decide to go, 5280 armory is just around the corner
Y'know, just in case you don't meet any assholes at the park.

[mcantar18c]

Y'know, just in case you don't meet any assholes at the park.

Or in case you do...
[M2]

[DOC]

You'll be fine. Its ghetto as all hell but it might do your kids some good to see how the other half lives. Also, free parking and cheap admission and its better than the high ass prices of Eliches. Go once and see how they like it.

[Glock Shooter]

This is why I dig this place. Great opinions, great advice.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

I know they do not like nice or big cameras! They stopped me from using my Nikon D-80 with 70-300 lens. Took me to the office and raked me over the coals. I asked for me money back, left my family at the park with their little cameras, and walked 2 1/2 mile home!
Never again, folks!
Imagine if they found out I was walking heavy!

[Bang]

[Ranger]

I went to Lakeside a long time ago and it was pretty run down. I do remember that they have one of the biggest wooden roller coasters in the country though - I always think of that when I'm getting off on I70 & Sheridan.

[rondog]

I know they do not like nice or big cameras! They stopped me from using my Nikon D-80 with 70-300 lens. Took me to the office and raked me over the coals. I asked for me money back, left my family at the park with their little cameras, and walked 2 1/2 mile home!
Never again, folks!
Imagine if they found out I was walking heavy!

[Bang]


What?! They won't let you bring your own fucking camera in? Piss on 'em then, let the gangbangers have the dump.

[Larry Ashcraft]

Neat place in the late fifties and early sixties, but even then it was second rate compared to (the old) Elitch Gardens. I remember the shooting gallery with the (Model 62?) Winchesters.

[Ah Pook]

there use to be a good mexican places on the north side of the street a few years back, might still be there.
Sabor Latino? They have been around forever. Good food.

I would like to shoot (with a camera) Lakeside one at night. Had a friend do it several years ago. He went to the front office first and asked permission and said they could look at all the pics afterward. I don't think they were too thrilled but let him do it anyway. I wonder if they are more afraid of pedos or OSHA?

I've walked through an amusement park on one of the piers, east of LA, taking pics. Never even saw an employee.

[glock21]

There is nothing wrong with lakeside, I've been going there for years. No gangs per say, only skater punks that are harmless. The roller coaster is awsome and was just repaired to code. The cops there are really cool as well. I could maybe get tickets, ill ask my buddy.

[jerrymrc]

Not sure I'd bother...

B2

Memories for anybody that cares/CO natives:

My dad raced midgets almost weekly @ Lakeside back in the 60s, traveled CO and to NM, KS, and NE quite bit... I still remember the old Lakeside grandstand/crawling around as a kid w/ Mom trying to keep me entertained while she waited.

Kind of sad to think about Lakeside's current state, not to mention the current state of "real" car racing in CO.

http://www.denverpost.com/motorsports/ci_18359176

Hmm, Denver and NAPCAR, how's that new track coming along? [Rant1]

FWIW, I love the Mile High Nationals and the Bandimere family for all they do/have always done for CO; however, it's NOT the same as sprints/midgets/Indy Cars.

We towed out in 68 with a different car and this one in 69 to run a few races with lakeside being one of them. Dad got second in the main in this car. I still have a program from 1988 as well as being there for the 50th anniversary race. I do not remember if I made it to the last one. http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac44/jerrymrc/oldgroup155.jpg

[86k10]

I use to take my kids there a few years ago when they had unlimited ride coupon deals. The rides are more for 12 yo and younger crowd. Never really seen any gangs. Just your typical young dummies.

[babirl]

We towed out in 68 with a different car and this one in 69 to run a few races with lakeside being one of them. Dad got second in the main in this car. I still have a program from 1988 as well as being there for the 50th anniversary race. I do not remember if I made it to the last one.

Nice! [Beer]

Dad had a Chevy II in candy apple red that was similar but a bit earlier... Looking for pics.

SAFETY has come a LONG way but those were some superbly beautiful, classic yet scarily fast machines; most especially given the tire technology back then.

If anybody but us midget fans care, you're talking methanol fueled ~250-275 hp 4-cylinder/maybe 6 in a 975-1100# car in the 60s... Let's just say they are WAY better, way faster and way safer now.

B2


Think 68 was the season Dad reluctantly quit because baby sis was born in 67... Think RMMRA had 5 drivers killed in 67-68 and he was moving up the research engineering/MGMT ladder, it cost money to feed mouths, flying was cooler than being dead, etc.

Here's a semi-restoration from his first midget that he owned in the 50s/60s:

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i48/babirl/Nicklemidget.jpg

Some guy on the east coast found it and it's not in RMMRA config, but still running. As I recall, Dad was the first guy in RMMRA to weld in an integrated "roll tube" and they all called him a puss.