Funland is situated within the 84.5-acre (34.2 ha) campus of Tautphaus Park,[1] and it opened to the public in 1947.
It became a city park in 1910 and it was the center of many community events like rodeos and county fairs.
Two buildings were built at the southwest corner of the lake and were used as changing rooms and restrooms for bathers.
[3] A group of businessmen obtained a lease from the city to open their chicken restaurant in the former dressing room building and operate amusement rides in 1947.
Equipment mechanic Leo Larsen eventually became the owner of Funland and continued to operate it under a lease with the city until 2000.