Despite living in Denver for a decade and a half, I had never been to Lakeside Amusement Park. My wife and I finally went yesterday and, wow.
We arrived around 7pm and spent the next hour going on a few rides, but mostly taking everything in.
The place was a total time capsule (and one that has racked up a body count since it was built in 1908). But the park really came alive once the sun went down and the lights came on.
It’s an absolutely incredible place to walk through, regardless of whether or not you go on rides.
I was also interested in the park’s alleged connection to Silent Hill. Is the Lakeside Amusement Park in Silent Hill 3 actually based on this one? I loaded up a copy of the game on PS2 and played through the intro nightmare to see.
And that’s it for the amusement park in the opening sequence. If I had a save at the second time you visit the park I’d explore further, but alas, I do not. Draw your own conclusions, but I feel like the original Lakeside was at least *one* source of inspiration for the park in Silent Hill 3.
I’m glad I finally made the trip to Lakeside and I’d highly recommend checking it out if you’re ever in Colorado, Silent Hill fan or not.
All photos and screenshots by me.
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