After 50 years of bringing family fun to the community, Lubbock's Joyland Amusement Park will close its doors, according to the park's social media.

Just before 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, the park posted that the park will not reopen. If an interested party with a viable offer is not found by Oct. 1, the park will be auctioned off on Oct. 27.

"We have been blessed with 50 years of wonderful memories, fabulous employees and amazing guests who have all touched our lives," the post stated.

Related:Lubbock Joyland co-founder Dean dies at 100

The decision to close was made due to flooding concerns in Mackenzie park, difficulty with filling positions, vandalism and aging structures.

"We would like to thank all of our team through the years who have helped keep Joyland a safe and enjoyable place to visit," the post by the Dean family said. "Never forget the importance of having fun ... for the greatest legacies we can leave are happy memories."

The announcement came as a shock to fans. The post, by 3:36 p.m., had 265 comments and 1,300 shares on Facebook. People started commenting their memories of a park that had seen generations pass through the gates.

The amusement park had been operated by the Dean family since 1973.

A 2018 article in the Avalanche-Journal marking the 100th birthday of Katie Dean noted that Dean and her husband Jimmy purchased the dilapidated Mackenzie Park Playground in 1973. The couple owned rides at amusement parks in Amarillo, Albuquerque and Wichita Falls, but dreamed of owning their own park, according to the article.

The park had 13 rides when the Deans took over. It had over 30 rides and attractions shortly before it closed.

Alana Edgin is a journalist covering Business News in Lubbock and the surrounding area. Send her a news tip at aedgin@lubbockonline.com. 

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock's Joyland Amusement Park closes doors after 50 years