Teen who wants to restore Joyland no longer on board

Wichita City Council member James Clendenin confirmed Monday night the Wichita teen who organized Restore Hope in an effort to restore Joyland Park is no longer with the organization.

Alex East, who organized the project in 2011 as a 17-year-old teenager from Northwest High School, has been voted off the board.

East did not return phone calls Monday night by The Eagle; nor did the group’s new president, Kira Johnson.

Clendenin said he had talked with a representative from Restore Hope “who wanted me to know the situation. Alex has no involvement with that group anymore. Clendenin said he did not know why East was no longer with the group but that he was disappointed.

“I stand by the board’s commitment in finding a way to restore Joyland. My feeling is that they are going to try and continue with this project,” he said.

East formed the nonprofit Restore Hope and attempted to raise at least $2 million to buy the property.

The amusement park, at 2801 S. Hillside, was a mainstay for generations of Wichitans but has suffered in recent years from break-ins, fires and vandals. It was closed in 2006.

This story was originally published November 26, 2012 at 9:21 PM with the headline "Teen who wants to restore Joyland no longer on board."