Playland

The idea of Playland located at Roeding Park was the brainchild of the late Dr. Joe Logan. Joe Logan was the president of North Fresno Rotary Club during 1954-55. In the spirit of community service, Dr. Logan conceived the idea of developing a “playland” with rides on city property, the profits from which would go to provide funds for additional park facilities in the City of Fresno. A lease was agreed upon with the city and Playland was constructed in record time and was opened to the public on May 30, 1955. Playland was an immediate success and netted profits of $33,000 in the first year of operation. Playland in the past 51 years has been an invaluable piece of the Central Valley’s heritage.

Storyland

Fresno Storyland opened to the public May 19, 1962 and immediately captured the hearts of children all across the valley. A park devoted to fantasy and fairy tales was a wonderful addition to Roeding Park. Originally funded by the city of Fresno and Junior League of Fresno, the Fresno Storyland & Rotary Playland boards joined forces in April of 1994 when Storyland was near extinction. Rotary Playland donated $100,000 to preserve the Fresno treasure and it has continued to be a place of fantasy and wonder for children today. This year, Rotary Storyland celebrates it’s 45th Anniversary.

Community Involvement:

Besides being a wonderful place for families to affordably spend time together, Rotary Storyland & Playland has contributed well over 2 million dollars to the community in the past 50 years. Some of the most notable contributions given by Storyland & Playland were an $80,000 donation given to the City of Fresno to purchase the land for Woodward Park in 1965, a donation of $64,000 given to the City of Fresno to create Logan Park in 1973, a donation of $190,000 given to the Fresno Metropolitan Museum in 1982 & over $500,000 given to the Fresno Zoo (Now Chaffee Zoological Gardens) over the past 30 years. Rotary Storyland & Playland has been committed to generously giving back to our community in the past 50 years.