Balboa Fun Zone
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The Balboa Fun Zone was an arcade and amusement park located on the Balboa Peninsula in the city of Newport Beach, Orange County, California.
It was built in 1936 by Al Anderson, who initially leased the land. Mr. Anderson bought the property from the owner in 1948. In 1956 Bob Speth, a former employee, bought the Ferris wheel but sold it back in 1964. From 1972 to 1985, the park was closed due to legal problems. Jordan Wank rebuilt the entire park and re-opened it 1986. In 1988 Doo & Sons owned The Balboa Fun Zone.
In 1994 the Balboa Fun Zone was purchased by former employees Joe Tunstall and Bob Speth. [1] The Fun Zone consisted of an arcade and amusement park with shops, restaurants and rides on the Newport Harbor.
Only the Ferris wheel and the merry-go-round remain as reminders of the park's past. The Ferris Wheel is a frequently photographed night landmark on the Balboa Peninsula. The Balboa Fun Zone was purchased in December, 2005,[2] by the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. On September 30th, 2006, most of the rides-- the Drummer Boy, Bumper Cars, and Scary Dark Ride were closed and have been removed to make room for the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.[citation needed]
