Fun Forest Amusement Park

Seattle, Washington, USA

1962 to 2010

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Located in Seattle Center, under the Space Needle, Fun Forest was a remnant of the 1962 World's Fair. Really more of a carnival than an amusement park, Fun Forest had a handful of adult rides, including a Windstorm roller coaster, a top spin, an orbitor, and a flume, and a separate kiddieland. The park was owned by the Robertson family, and sat on leased land.

In August of 2008 the Seattle City Council approved a $567 million, 20 year plan to transform Seattle Center. The stated goal was to create the countries best gathering place. Said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, "People shouldn't have to purchase tickets or go to a performance to go to Seattle Center. It should be a major attraction, as any park would be."

One part of the plan: replace Fun Forest with a year-round activity area, with a sculptural jungle gym, a splash pool for the summer, and skating rink in the winter. No plans for carnival rides.

Not everyone in Seattle is happy about this decision, but with park revenues declining, and the lease running out in January 2010, there was little fight over the plan, other than a few editorials in the local paper.

The Robertson's began selling the big rides after the 2009 season. They have an extension to operate the kiddie rides until Labor Day 2010, and then the lights will go out for the last time on Fun Forest

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