Makeover, additions under way at State Line amusement center
Fun Country Park has stood for decades on North State Line Avenue, providing miniature golf, go-carts and other amusement for the region. Opening in the 1980s, Fun Country Park offered its attractions in an era during the heyday of video arcades, multiple movie theaters and more than one go-cart track. Though times have changed, Fun
Country Park rides on, enjoying steady business, the last five years or so under the ownership of Don and Trennia Worthington.
And now the next chapter is under way.
A group of investors from Michigan have taken interest in the park and begun a project to expand it. Between now and next spring, local firms will give the park a makeover and expansion.
“There are investors who are interested in our community,” said Brock Bradshaw, park manager. “They see a growing community with a lot of potential. They also see that in our park.”
Shayna Carlson, a member of the investors who now own the park, said “We are a family business that has decades of experience owning and
operating family fun parks and other small businesses. After investigating fun parks across the country, the community of Texarkana appealed to us. The people are friendly, the area is diverse and growing, and the location of the park is easy to access. We feel that Fun Country Fun Park provides an opportunity for families, groups, and people of all ages to enjoy reasonably priced entertainment. With upgrades and renovations planned, we are excited to offer top-notch customer service and daily fun for all.”
The park’s new website, Facebook page and other presences on social media are all initiatives on the parts of the new park owners.
Part of the work, which began in June this year, will be renovation of the attractions. The go-cart track will be expanded to accommodate a greater range of cars allowing a bigger age group to participate. Fun Country Park offers the only attraction of that sort in Texarkana. Go-kart fans otherwise have to go to New Boston.
“We are also refurbishing our batting cages,” Bradshaw said. “We have already begun that project.
“We are also getting new stuff. We are going to be setting up a water bumper boat attraction, something nobody else in the area has,” Bradshaw said. “Also, we will be putting in an arcade, with a range of video games.”
The batting cages and the arcade should be completed by the end of this year. The complete project will be done by spring of 2018.
“The Park is going to remain open during the entire process,” Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw said the guiding principle for the makeover is “new eyes, new ideas.”
“We are adding new things, as well as tweaking the stuff we have already, making it better. Texarkana needs more options in entertainment. … We want to have something to offer for everyone.”
Fun Country Park, at 8225 N. State Line Ave., employs seven full-time employees, but the number is expected to increase as the refurbishments and new features are completed.