Amusement Park Buzz

Centennial, CO – After nine years in business, indoor amusement park Lollipop Park has closed permanently and will auction its assets October 21, 2020. Housed inside the South Suburban Parks and Recreation's Family Sports Center at 6901 S. Peoria St. in Centennial, the business closed in March when the coronavirus hit Colorado. Virus-related restrictions made it impossible to reopen.

“We have a pretty small footprint, which means we have to be packed to make money. It doesn't make sense to operate even at 75% percent capacity,” said Nathan Elinoff, who owns the park with his wife Louise.

Catering to children 10 and under, Lollipop Park was enjoying record sales before COVID-19 forced it to shutter. The park had hosted thousands of birthday parties, drawing families with a mix of amusement park rides, a bounce house and other attractions. Before opening Lollipop Park in 2011, the Elinoffs owned a variety of other children's entertainment centers in Colorado and Houston, including Funtastic Nathan's at the former Cinderella City shopping mall in Englewood.

“We've been in this business 38 years and it came to a screeching halt,” said Elinoff. “We get emails every day from people who are just heartbroken about what has happened.”

The Elinoffs eventually plan to open an outdoor amusement park for younger kids once COVID-19 subsides. That park will require larger rides, so all of Lollipop's current attractions will be sold. Items available at the auction include:

• A 26-foot Italian made balloon Ferris wheel
• Rio Grande Train Ride
• Mini-Teacup Ride
• Mall Carousel
• Swing Ride
• Kiddie Whip Ride
• Antique Funhouse Mirrors

“These are wonderful rides and they are in like new condition since they've been kept indoors,” said Elinoff.  

Norton Auctioneers of Michigan Inc. will be conducting the Lollipop Park auction. The company has not set minimum prices for any of the sale items and plans to sell every item to the highest bidder. Norton will host a preview inspection of the items at 9 a.m. on October 21st with the auction slated for 10:30 a.m.  The company will accept cash, certified checks and cashier's checks for payment. All items must be paid for in full on the day of the sale.