Victorian Gardens, Amusement park in Central Park, US.
Victorian Gardens was an amusement park that transformed the Wollman Rink ice skating space in Central Park into a summer entertainment venue with mechanical rides and carnival games. The park offered food options and attractions designed for children during the warm months.
The park opened in 2003 at the Wollman Rink space and operated seasonally throughout the summer months for about 16 years. It closed in 2019 due to pandemic restrictions that prevented its reopening.
The space drew families seeking seasonal entertainment within the city's most famous park, offering children a rare chance to enjoy mechanical rides in a natural setting. This created a special gathering place where parents and children could spend time together during warm months.
The location sat near East 63rd Street within Central Park and operated only during May through September, making it easy for visitors to plan ahead. The rides were designed specifically for children from about age two onward, so families could quickly see what worked for their group.
The park occupied an unexpected location by functioning as a seasonal transformation of an ice skating rink, meaning the same space served two completely different purposes throughout the year. This dual use allowed an ice surface in winter and rides in summer to share the same ground.
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