Footrot Flats Fun Park
| Location | Te Atatū Peninsula, West Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°50′46″S 174°39′11″E / 36.846°S 174.653°E |
| Opened | 1982 |
| Closed | 1984 |
| Owner | John St Clair Brown |
Footrot Flats Fun Park was a theme park in Te Atatū Peninsula, West Auckland, New Zealand. Opening in 1982 as Leisureland, the park rebranded to be themed around the Murray Ball cartoon Footrot Flats in 1984. During the 1980s, it was the largest theme park in New Zealand. In its final year of operation, the park rebranded as Something Different Fun Park, before closing in 1989.
History
The land where the park was opened was originally purchased by the Auckland Harbour Board in the 1950s, who intended to construct a new Auckland port at the location.[1]
The park opened as Leisureland in 1982. After the popularity of the animated film Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale (1984), the park's management secured a licensing deal with cartoonist Murray Ball, and rebranded as a Footrot Flats-themed location, where actors would walk around the park dressed as the characters from the cartoon.[2] During the park's heyday, the Footrot Flats Fun Park competed with Rainbow's End, a theme park which still exists in Manukau, South Auckland.[2]
In the late 1980s, the theme park came across financial difficulties, especially after the 1987 stock market crash. Diminishing returns, increasing cost of rent from the council, and a lack of public transport access to the park were all factors which led to the park's demise. In 1988, the park rebranded as the Something Different Fun Park, and closed in early 1989.[2]
Rides and attractions
A range of rides and attractions were a part of the fun park, including:[2]
- BMX tracks
- Bumper boats
- Bungee jump tower, a short-lived attraction
- Cannonball Run, a major rollercoaster at the park
- Driver’s Town, often the main attraction to the park. Riders would sit written and verbal driver's tests to earn a park driver's license, which allowed them to drive on the attraction.
- Go-karts
- Gondola
- Helicopter trips
- Kayak rides
- Laser tag
- Mini-golf
- Paintball challenge
- Slide
- Train ride
- Video game arcade
- Zoo exhibits
References
- ^ Thomas Consultants (31 May 2021). Harbourview-Orangihina Park Community Restoration Plan (PDF) (Report). Auckland Council. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d Schulz, Chris (28 May 2022). "'Disneyland of the Pacific': The rise and fall of West Auckland's Footrot Flats Fun Park". The Spinoff. Retrieved 12 January 2023.