On the scale of grand injustices to befall the great city of Melbourne, this is up there with Essendon being robbed of the ’99 preliminary final. Throughout the years, scores of Melburnians and interlopers alike have passed through the mighty maw of Luna Park without care, hassle, and most importantly completely free-of-charge.
That’s all about to change, however.
Luna Park management instituted an entry fee on Sunday for only the second time in the park’s long and illustrious history, with punters planning to visit the facility now set to be slugged with a nightmarish admission charge of TWO WHOLE DOLLARS.
Hyperbole aside, the tiny admission charge is being brought in to help with the upkeep of the historic park and its attractions, meaning free access to the facility’s picnic grounds and public toilets will no longer be available for wandering patrons. The $2 charge will apply to anyone entering the park who does not purchase ride tickets.
The fee is expected to help raise several hundred thousand extra dollars per year. Luna Park receives no outside funding, and in the past decade has spent some $10 million on heritage work. The park’s historic 104-year-old carousel has been undergoing repair work since breaking down in June, which is reportedly set to attract a bill of six figures.
Luna Park chief executive Mary Stewart stated that the park was one of the few remaining heritage amusement parks in the world, but that the priority for management was to keep the facility affordable.
Luna Park is a national treasure. It holds a special place in the hearts of Melburnians. There are very few heritage amusement parks that have survived in the world and we have one right here.
The park’s famous Grand Scenic Railway roller coaster is the oldest continuously operating wooden coaster in the world.
