Sandy Lake Amusement Park Closes After 48 Years

CARROLLTON, TX — Sandy Lake Amusement Park has been sold to a landscaping company, ending 48 years of family fun. The park, which was owned by Suzy Self and her family, opened in 1970 and has hosted events likes Santa Fe Days in the Park, DubSplash, and the school music festival FunFest, the company wrote on Facebook.

"Thousands of teenagers had their first job at the park. Adults and retirees have supported their families while filling a variety of park positions. Many former employees are and will always be dear friends of the owners and coworkers," Sandy Lake Amusement Park wrote on Facebook. "The owners truly appreciate the millions of patrons, thousands of organized groups and special events we’ve hosted at the park. If the park’s legacy is leaving most people with golden memories or pleasant thoughts then the park has done it’s job."

The amusement park's Facebook post has since gone viral, collecting more than 2,400 shares and 1,000 comments from people sharing memories from the park. Numerous people recalled visiting the park for choir contests.

"I remember choir trips here in the 80s. Wonderful memories...thank you Sandy Lake for all those good times!" Kimberly Perkerson wrote on Facebook.

"Even though we lived in Oak Cliff, I made several trips with my buddies the summer of 67 after we graduated. It was always more than worth the drive," Jim Green commented. "Thank you for your many years of service. I live in Coppell now, just off of Sandy Lake and pass by almost daily. I’ll be sad to see you go."

The amusement park was sold to Southwest Landscaping which plans on preserving the property and storing trees and plants there, NBC DFW reported. The park will also no longer be a public space.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Photo via Sandy Lake Amusement Park