Funland amusement park at Tautphaus Park in Idaho Falls is to undergo restoration and reopen in 2022. The project will include major upgrades to many of the site’s rides and attractions.
Funland opened in Idaho Falls in 1947. The park has changed ownership multiple times and during the last decade, parts of the amusement site have gradually closed.
In 2019, the city of Idaho Falls purchased the park with the view of restoring it. A Funland Restoration Committee was created.
Brandon Lee, who is on the committee, said: “This is really a grassroots, community-led effort to restore this. This isn’t something that’s being mandated by the city or anyone else, but it is a group of citizens who just think this is a great place to come with your family and make memories.”
The committee is selling legacy bricks from the park to raise funds for the restoration project. The bricks will be placed in the central plaza of the rejuvenated Funpark. During the grand opening of the restored park in 2022, a time capsule will be placed at the centre of the brick-laid courtyard.
Committee member Jarom Manwaring explained: “There are multi-generational families in this community where grandpa, mom and the kids all have memories of coming here.
“I think that’s something worth saving and when this is back up and running … I don’t know if there will be a more fun place to bring that whole family — that multigenerational family — where everyone can participate and have fun,” Manwaring added.
