Welcome back to Denver, Elitch Gardens.
The sprawling amusement park in the city’s Platte Valley had its 117-year-old name restored last week by new owners, PARC Management, who also announced plans to invest $1.7 million at Elitch’s this season.
We know the lush gardens and towering shade trees that were a staple of the old park at West 38th Avenue and Tennyson can’t be re-created at the site near the Pepsi Center overnight, but we’re glad the park’s new management has given Denver a piece of its history back.
Along with the planned improvements, such as a new extreme tube slide in the Island Kingdom Water Park, we also hope PARC will restore some of the family-friendly policies that made the old park an inviting place for everyone.
Six Flags, plagued by low attendance in recent years, became a lost habit for many Coloradans without the addition of new rides and family entertainment. The new owners say they plan to be more family-friendly and will offer new entertainment, such as a Cirque du Soleil-style performance called Bailamos.
However, admission will remain the same at $44.99, so maybe some goodwill could be spread early by slashing admission for parents with kids who are just there to supervise and stroll the park.
Either way, we’re pleased the site will remain a haven for thrill-seekers and families and not become another high-priced, high-rise condo development.
