Castle Park, formerly Castle Amusement Park, is a 25-acre amusement park and family amusement center located in Riverside, California. The park utilizes a medieval "castle" theme and includes attractions such as a miniature golf course, arcade, and 21 amusement rides including one roller coaster, Merlin's Revenge, a junior rollercoaster. The main "castle" themed building, houses the arcade. The park was designed, built and operated by Bud Hurlbut, who designed several rides at Knott's Berry Farm.[1] Castle Park is currently owned and operated by Palace Entertainment.
History
The park opened in 1976[2] as a Family entertainment center, featuring a castle themed building housing a large two level video game arcade, and an outdoor miniature golf course. In 1985, the park expanded by adding an adjacent amusement ride area, featuring a collection of classic rides such as a Dentzel carousel built in 1905, a miniature railroad, and a log flume ride, thus becoming a legitimate amusement park.
In 1999, the park opened Ghost Blasters, an interactive dark ride designed by Sally Corporation. The ride features laser guns which riders use to shoot at targets to accumulate points. The attraction is the park's first and only dark ride, and occupies the entire second floor of the former arcade area inside the main castle building, reducing the arcade to only the first floor.
In 2008, the park opened "Dragon Flyer", a spinning flat ride, and "Screamin' Demon", a spinning wild mouse rollercoaster.
On May 25, 2019, a woman was critically injured and her husband and child suffered less-severe injuries when the log ride malfunctioned and threw them into the water.[3] The guests recovered mostly from their injuries.[citation needed]
Arcade - A video game arcade also housing the "Ghost Blasters" attraction.
Miniature Golf - An 18-hole miniature golf course area.
Anthony The Magic - A magic show
The Big Top - A private parties facility.
Former Attractions:
Little Dipper - A children's rollercoaster.
Motorcycles
Falling Star - A rotating pendulum ride
Thunderbolt
Trabant
Ferris Wheel
Tornado Coaster - Zamperla Powered Kiddie Coaster
Cyclone Racer - Musik Express
Samba - A children's helicopter ride
Screamin' Demon
Go Karts - Was originally part of the "Big Top" area. Its former site is now occupied by "Screamin' Demon".
References
^Merritt, Christopher, and Lynxwiler, J. Eric. maxeys Preserved: From Boysenberry to Theme Park, the History of Knott's Berry Farm, pp. 92-120, 127, 139, 146-7, Angel City Press, Santa Monica, CA, 2010. ISBN978-1-883318-97-0.
