[1] It was once the largest theme park in central Kansas and featured a wooden roller coaster as well as 15 other rides.

Joyland was founded on June 12, 1949 by Lester Ottaway to house a miniature 12-inch (300 mm) gauge steam locomotive.

After Lester Ottaway’s death in the mid-1950s, his three sons, Herbert, Harold and Eddie continued running the park.

Interest rose again in 2006 when a Seattle-based company, T-Rex Group, leased it to restore and open portions of it.

They planned to restore it within the next few years and begin an expansion process to help it grow and become an integral part of the Wichita community.

[6] In May 2014, it was announced that Joyland owner Margaret Nelson Spear donated the park's carousel to the Botanica gardens in Wichita, where It was fully restored.

[7] In June 2014, the iconic parking lot sign and marquee was sold to the Historic Preservation Alliance of Wichita and Sedgwick County.

[9][10] The roller coaster was extensively damaged by a windstorm on the morning of April 3, 2015, including the destruction of large portions of elevated track.

[11][12] In April, the owner's son Roger Nelson, told reporters, "We are in the process of tearing it all down", referring to the roller coaster and the remaining buildings on the site.

It was the only remaining coaster in North America using vintage rolling stock with fixed lap bars.

In May 2014, Joyland owner Margaret Nelson Spear donated it to Botanica in Wichita, with plans for a full restoration.