Lunapark

Description

Established in 1974 and operating for over four decades, Lunapark Łódź was a seasonal amusement park situated within the grounds of Józef Piłsudski Park in the Polesie district, adjacent to the city's zoo and botanical garden. Entry to the grounds was free of charge, with individual fees applied per attraction. At its peak, the park offered 38 attractions catering to a broad range of visitors. The centerpiece of the lineup was the Jet Star roller coaster, a 16-meter-tall structure reaching speeds of up to 96 km/h. A second coaster, Amor Express, complemented the thrill ride offering. Additional major attractions included a Ferris wheel, the Hully Gully spinning carousel, and two carousels brought from Vienna. The Circus Hoppala ride, described as one of the more technically advanced of its kind in Europe and manufactured by Moser's Rides, was added as a later expansion. A ghost house, hall of mirrors, dry ball pool, and various children's rides rounded out the portfolio. In 2002, the park joined the European Association of Amusement Ride Manufacturers, and in 2006 its operator received the Golden Pony award in the amusement park category. In its later years, the park drew criticism for aging infrastructure and deteriorating technical condition. It closed permanently in January 2016. The site subsequently retained a public connection to its past when, in 2019, the area was officially named Lunapark Łódzki.