I worked at Happy Jacks Fish Farm in the late 70's early 80's. It was a great place to work. Sorry to see it gone.

Yes, it was on Hwy 39, also known as San Gabriel Canyon Rd. However, it has been gone for many years. There is now a Mormon church on the site. Sorry....

All those parks should have insurance... You can't risk to have a broken machine because the costs are much much bigger than paying the insurance.

Aloha friend! I was doing a search on Happy Jack's Fish Farm today and came across your reference. I too did a lot of "fish feeding" while my dad did the catching back in the early 70's. I am trying to remember exactly where it was located so that I can take my kids there someday when I return to the mainland. Do you know if it was on Hwy 39, I think that's Azusa Hwy or something like that.

Thanks for your help if you know the information.

Tom
Kailua Hawaii

San Fransisco had a playland-at-the-beach but it was closed in september of 1972, it was near the beach right by the Cliff House and Sutro Bath ruins. Nothing is left of that Playland it's part of a parking lot and condos now. There are only photos and memorys.

Fresno is lucky to have playland still, but it could disappear like the old Zapps Park (not the bar).

I LOVED Storyland and Playland as a little kid in the 70s.
Roeding Park is unknown outside the Fresno area, and that's a shame -

Here in SF we don't have a cool little kids amusement park (at least not in the City) and I always thought that was one thing Roeding Park had over us.

Definitely play it up as an historical restoration and community effort -

I can't find a link to any website specifically about Fresno's Playland/Storyland Park or any Restoration foundation - can you post it?

really enhancing the 'retro,' aspect of the midway (rides and all.)

I noticed the tumbling ferris wheel that Ed refers to.

There is (what is billed as the only,) municipally owned amuesment park back in NY. (Playland in Rye, NY,) --that is amazing.
-it is on the end of a bus route, has a beach, (etc, etc,)
-parts of it were used in 'Sweet and Low Down,' as well as it and surrounding areas in 'Big,' (the fortune teller is on the main boardwalk.)

Because it is older, and because of the historical significance of a lot of the rides, (some are a nearly a hundred years old, and are direct refuges from the old Coney Island Parks, (Luna, etc..)
-they are listed and protected as historic sites,
-and have a lot of supporters who have restored them to (better than,) orig. condition.

Playing that ticket at Storyland and Playland might catch a 'nostalgia wave,' and bring in more funds...

I was surprised how beautiful Roeding(?) really is, when I went there for the first time this past Saturday.

i've always wondered about the various parks around fresno that have rotary in their name. are they owned by the city, rotary clubs, or something else?

i'm all for patronizing the park, playland, and storyland. i last went to storyland eleven months ago. storyland had lost a lot of the thrill of being a kid but i still think it could be a cool place to take a family. playland, now that can still be a blast. i love carnival type rides, and they have at least 3 good ones, especially that ferris wheel that has carts that turn completely upside down. freaked me out.

The train reminds me of stuff I used to do down in Los Angeles with my family. I have taken my daughter down there often.

On the other hand, Zoo plus a Happy Jacks fish farm there would be fantastic. My dad used to take us to Happy Jacks fish farm when our fishing skills amounted to feeding fish. (mine still are about there)

Teach kids the joy of fishing? Or make it into a hobby park. Remote control boats, place for kites and water rockets. Possibilites are limitless.