Bell's Amusement Park Uses Crowd Funding In Effort To Bring Back Zingo

There's a new strategy begins tomorrow to bring back Bell's Amusement Park.

It was open for more than a half century, but closed when Tulsa County didn't renew Bell's lease at the fairgrounds.

But a new campaign could mean the return of more rides, and ultimately, the return of Zingo.

Starting Friday night, fans of Bells' Amusement Park can play a role in the park's comeback.

Since Tulsa County forced Bells amusement park from the fairgrounds in 2006, Robby Bell hasn't given up working to find a place, and a way, to reopen.

He finally decided on a location outside Swick's Flea Market off 51st Street, west of Tulsa.

"We felt like we could never quit," Bell said. "And then for me, a personal goal is I want to ride Zingo one more time with my dad one more time at least."

While getting the iconic wooden roller coaster Zingo back up and running will still take a while, the park is open weekends on a small scale with a handful of kiddie rides.

But Bell hopes to expand with the help of what's called a "crowdfunding" plan.

With the Web-based fundraising platform, "people just contribute money to these either causes or maybe they're trying to bring back a business like Bells or start a new one, it's just fascinating," Bell said.

Bell said everyone who donates will get something free like ride tickets or shirts.

The goal is to raise $60,000 in 45 days. It would enable Bells Amusement Park to add more rides, a miniature golf course and concession stand, which would make up the first phase of its comeback.

If recent changes made to their Facebook page are any indication, Bell thinks there's growing momentum to make the crowdfunding plan successful.

"In about four days we went from 3,500 Facebook followers to 24,000," Bell said.

Ultimately, depending on how business goes after Phase One, Bell's could eventually return the larger rides, which cost far more to reassemble and install.

"Log ride, Himalaya, Zingo, and hopefully some new pieces that have never been to Tulsa," Bell said.

Beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, you can visit Bell's official website at bellsisback.com or its Facebook page to find a link to donate to the fund.