WISH-TV - Riverside Park - Mike Ahern

[@judithduncan9868]

Such wonderful memories of Riverside. The skating rink where I was every Saturday, the Thriller, Flash and don't forget the Wild Mouse. Fun times from a more gentle time

[@brentdwood]

Born and lived in Indy. Late late 60s - early early 2000s. My Aunt lived right by the roller coaster. In the 70s my Brother and I would dream of jumping the fence and enjoying the old rides that had been closed since before we could remember. Years and layers of bird poo was disturbed during final demolition and caused workers and nearby residence to become ill. I remember Mike Ahern. NAPTOWN!

[@RaiderFace7-16]

Wow. Definitely share more please.....

[@evelynb6245]

Love it Mike Ahern

[@doctorgarbonzo2525]

My personal Faves! The Flash & the Thriller, I can still hear the Sound of those loose Roller coaster Boards the faster we would go in late 60's..

[@indycharlie]

clickity , clack , clickity clack going up to the top of the Roller Coaster , man what memories !!!!

[@amberleecoleman]

It was open later than 1960. My husband used to go there and he did not move to Indy until 1964,

[@SteveSweitzer]

According to Wikipedia, its last season was 1970.

[@carolynroesbery47]

I was there around 1960 and it was going strong-- I remember the WILD MOUSE and my dad apparently went there when he dated as a young man.

[@indycharlie]

I was there at least once a year from 57 to 68 when I went into the Army . Magical nights spent there and great memories . Was one of the Highlights for the summer each yr right B4 school started up !!

[@ViralTuber]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting! Sadly, to me it was always only a pile of bleached bones grown over in weeds. An old roller coaster track, even when only part of it is still recognizable, is just the type of thing a little boy notices. I found it endlessly fascinating all those times as a child passing by it while devouring the childhood stories of my parents.

[@UrLocalWolfTherian]

The tunnel of loveMy family still lives On 27 th st between Harding and Riverside They didn't want the blacks to comeBy to hate I live In Los Angeles Surrounded by Many Theme ParksAnd it closed in the early 1970's

[@carolynroesbery47]

It really should have remained a green space--

[@IndyInAsiaPacific]

Mahalo, Steve Sweitzer and Mike Ahern ! Cotton Candy and Pizza Slices, my first taste of both. The Dodgem and Tubs 'o Fun, where you could crunch your siblings and friends and puke your pizza, in that order.

[@indycharlie]

Was that what the wooden bowl you sat in and was spun called , Tubs O fun ?! Never forget the little train you could ride around on :)

[@kris00106]

any pics of the rides

[@carolynroesbery47]

I remember 3 Galapagos turtles on a hill there brought by sailors-- whatever happened to them?

[@indycharlie]

Man , I had forgot all about them . I wonder !?

[@terrykrall]

I metal detect there occasionally.... found a gold ring with 7 diamonds.... any of you lose that? :-)

[@danieldougan269]

There was a whites-only policy except for one or two days of the year, which were designed "Color Frolic Days." Yikes.

[@hoz49]

The owner of Riverside was a rabid racist. Even though as time went by he had to admit minorities he hated it. I remember seeing signs that read ""Riverside's policy has not changed". In the end he'd rather close it down than continue.

[@SteveSweitzer]

Hoz Holla And he wasn’t alone. Most of the swim clubs in town were segregated.

[@hoz49]

@@SteveSweitzer In the 50's my sister and I were refused entry to Northern Beach and Longacre we were just kids. We could get into Riverside during "Western Electric Picnic" day were my Mom worked. Then in the early 60's it started to change.

[@wilburshaw9330]

It was a wonderful place for 70 years. It was segregated. After blacks were allowed in, it closed in like 3 years. Fact.