Castle Park

Castle Park is a family amusement park and entertainment center in Riverside, California. The 25-acre destination combines a medieval castle theme with amusement rides, miniature golf, arcade entertainment, a narrow-gauge railway, and facilities for private events. It began in 1976 as a family entertainment center rather than a conventional amusement park. Its original attractions included a castle-themed building containing a large two-level video-game arcade and an outdoor miniature-golf course. The site was designed, built, and operated by Bud Hurlbut, a ride designer and amusement-park developer also associated with attractions at Knott's Berry Farm. The business expanded materially in 1985 when it added an adjacent ride area. This development introduced a collection of traditional amusement attractions, including a historic Dentzel carousel, a miniature railroad, and the Sawmill Plunge log flume. The expansion changed Castle Park from a largely arcade-and-miniature-golf venue into a broader amusement park. Over time, the property developed a portfolio aimed primarily at families and younger visitors, while retaining several rides suitable for a wider age range. Castle Park's attraction mix has included the Merlin's Revenge junior roller coaster, Dragon Flyer, Dragons Tower, Fireball, Sea Dragon, Tilt-a-Whirl, Scrambler, bumper cars, a carousel, a log flume, children's flat rides, and train experiences. The park has also offered an 18-hole miniature-golf course, a video-game arcade, the Buccaneer Cove water-play area, and The Big Top private-party facility. Its medieval and fantasy presentation is expressed most visibly through the main castle building and attraction naming, although the operating model is that of a regional family amusement center rather than a destination theme park. In 1999, Castle Park opened Ghost Blasters, an interactive dark ride created by Sally Corporation. Riders used laser guns to target objects and accumulate points. The attraction occupied the second floor of the castle building, reducing the space available for the arcade. Additional ride development followed in 2008 with Dragon Flyer and Screamin' Demon. Some attractions have subsequently been removed or replaced, reflecting the changing ride lineup typical of a regional amusement park. Castle Park has also experienced operational risk associated with amusement rides. On May 25, 2019, a malfunction on the Sawmill Plunge log ride caused a woman to suffer critical injuries, while her husband and child sustained less-severe injuries. Reports stated that the guests later recovered mostly from their injuries. The incident is a significant safety event in the park's public history, but the available reference material does not establish a broader scandal or regulatory finding. Ownership changed twice in 2025 according to the supplied reference material. Herschend Family Entertainment acquired the park in early 2025, then sold it to Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation approximately two months later, in July 2025. Castle Park remains an active regional amusement venue under Lucky Strike ownership. Its positioning continues to center on accessible family entertainment, combining rides, games, miniature golf, and group-oriented activities in a compact California park.

Castle Park opened in Riverside, California, in 1976 under the name Castle Amusement Park. It was conceived as a family entertainment center built around a medieval castle motif. The original complex included a castle-themed building with a two-level video-game arcade and an outdoor miniature-golf course. Bud Hurlbut designed, built, and operated the park. Hurlbut was an amusement-industry designer associated with a number of rides at Knott's Berry Farm, and Castle Park reflected his emphasis on compact attractions suitable for family recreation. The venue expanded in 1985 by adding an amusement-ride area next to the original entertainment center. The expansion introduced more conventional park attractions, including a historic Dentzel carousel, a miniature railroad, and the Sawmill Plunge log flume. This phase established Castle Park as a full amusement park rather than solely an arcade and miniature-golf facility. The property continued to combine rides with non-ride attractions, allowing families to build visits around different price points and age groups. A notable later addition was Ghost Blasters, which opened in 1999. Designed by Sally Corporation, the attraction was an interactive dark ride in which riders used laser guns to shoot targets and earn points. It occupied the second floor of the castle building, changing the internal layout and leaving the arcade on the first floor. The ride became the park's principal dark-ride experience and was its first and only attraction of that type. Castle Park added further rides in 2008, including Dragon Flyer, a spinning flat ride, and Screamin' Demon, a spinning wild-mouse-style coaster. The park's broader lineup has included the Merlin's Revenge junior roller coaster, Dragons Tower, Fireball, Flying Animals, Flying Saucer, King's Crown, Rockin' Tug, Scrambler, Sea Dragon, Sea Planes, Spaceships, Tilt-a-Whirl, Whip, bumper cars, antique cars, and children's rides. Its transportation attractions have included the Castle Park Railroad, a 2-foot narrow-gauge railway, and the Riverside Express, a ridable miniature train using a 14-inch gauge. In addition to rides, the operating complex has included an arcade, an 18-hole miniature-golf course, Buccaneer Cove water play, and The Big Top private-party facility. The ride inventory has changed over time. Former attractions listed in reference material include Little Dipper, Motorcycles, Falling Star, Thunderbolt, Trabant, a Ferris wheel, Tornado Coaster, Cyclone Racer, Samba, Screamin' Demon, Go Karts, and Ghost Blasters. Such removals illustrate the park's evolving attraction strategy and the replacement of older or less-used offerings. On May 25, 2019, a malfunction on the Sawmill Plunge log ride resulted in serious injuries to three members of one family. A woman was critically injured, while her husband and child suffered less-severe injuries. The available reference account says that the guests subsequently recovered mostly from their injuries. The event is an important safety-related episode in Castle Park's history, although the supplied sources do not provide enough information to characterize it as a scandal or to document a final regulatory outcome. Ownership activity occurred in 2025. The park was reportedly acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment early in the year and then sold to Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation in July, approximately two months later. Castle Park is currently described in the reference material as owned and operated by Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation. Its continuing identity is that of a regional California family amusement park, with a medieval visual theme and a diversified mix of rides, arcade games, miniature golf, water play, and private events.

• 2025

  Ownership changes hands twice

  [1]Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org

  The park is reportedly acquired by Herschend Family Entertainment and later sold to Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation in July.

• 2019

  Sawmill Plunge accident

  [1]Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org

  A malfunction on the log flume seriously injures three guests from one family.

• 2008

  Dragon Flyer and Screamin' Demon are introduced

  [1]Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org

  The park adds a spinning flat ride and a spinning wild-mouse-style roller coaster.

• 1999

  Ghost Blasters opens

  [1]Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org

  Sally Corporation's interactive laser-shooting dark ride opens inside the castle building.

• 1985

  Adjacent amusement-ride area is added

  [1]Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org

  The park expands beyond its original arcade and miniature-golf format by adding rides, including a Dentzel carousel, miniature railroad, and Sawmill Plunge log flume.

• 1976

  Castle Park opens as a family entertainment center

  [1]Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org

  The venue opens in Riverside with a medieval castle-themed building, a two-level video-game arcade, and an outdoor miniature-golf course.

A compact, family-oriented regional amusement park offering themed rides, games, miniature golf, and group entertainment at an accessible California destination.

• Junior roller coaster

  Merlin's Revenge

  A family-oriented junior roller coaster and one of Castle Park's principal coaster attractions. It is positioned for younger riders and families seeking a moderate thrill rather than a large-scale destination-park coaster experience.

• Log flume · 1985

  Sawmill Plunge

  A log-flume ride added during the park's 1985 expansion. The attraction became one of Castle Park's established water-based rides and was involved in a serious guest-injury incident in 2019 following a reported malfunction.

• Narrow-gauge railway · 1985

  Castle Park Railroad

  A 2-foot narrow-gauge railway that provides a scenic, low-intensity experience suited to families and visitors looking for a break from faster rides.

• Family recreation · 1976

  Miniature Golf

  An 18-hole miniature-golf course that dates to the park's original family entertainment-center format. It remains one of the venue's non-ride activities and helps broaden the park's appeal across age groups.

• Arcade entertainment · 1976

  Arcade

  The castle building originally housed a large two-level video-game arcade. After Ghost Blasters occupied the second floor in 1999, the arcade's available footprint was reduced to the first floor.

• Spinning flat ride · 2008

  Dragon Flyer

  A spinning flat ride introduced in 2008 as part of a later expansion of Castle Park's ride portfolio.

• Interactive dark ride · 1999

  Ghost Blasters

  An interactive Sally Corporation dark ride opened in 1999. Riders use laser guns to hit targets and build scores, making the attraction a game-like alternative to traditional passive dark rides.

• 2025

  Ownership transfer to Lucky Strike EntertainmentM&A

  Background

  The park reportedly changed ownership during 2025 after a brief period under Herschend Family Entertainment.

  Action taken

  Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation acquired Castle Park in July 2025.

  Aftermath

  Lucky Strike became the reported owner and operator of the active Riverside amusement park.

  Source

• 2008

  Addition of Dragon Flyer and Screamin' DemonProduct launch

  Background

  Castle Park continued refreshing its ride mix with attractions offering more active spinning and coaster experiences.

  Action taken

  The park opened Dragon Flyer and Screamin' Demon.

  Aftermath

  The additions broadened the park's thrill-ride lineup, although Screamin' Demon is listed among the former attractions in the supplied reference material.

  Source

• 1999

  Launch of Ghost BlastersProduct launch

  Background

  The park sought to add a distinctive indoor attraction to its castle-themed arcade building.

  Action taken

  Castle Park opened an interactive Sally Corporation dark ride using laser-target gameplay.

  Aftermath

  The attraction became the park's first and only dark ride and reduced the arcade's footprint by taking over the building's second floor.

  Source

• 1985

  Expand from family entertainment center into an amusement parkStrategy

  Background

  Castle Park originally focused on arcade games and miniature golf. The business added an adjacent ride area to create a broader, full-day family attraction.

  Action taken

  The park introduced a collection of classic rides, including a carousel, miniature railroad, and log flume.

  Aftermath

  The expansion established the current hybrid model of rides, games, miniature golf, and other family activities.

  Source

1. 1Castle Park (amusement park)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Castle Park official websitecastlepark.com