The Tornado ride is one of many new attractions at Beech Bend Park. More than $3 million has been pumped into the amusement park in the past two or three years. Photo by Clinton Lewis

Its appropriate that an amusement park would have a roller-coaster ride of an existence. First, Beech Bend rode high on a wave of popularity. Then it began a long descent into financial darkness. Deeper and deeper. Until now, Beech Bend Park owner Dallas Jones hopes. More than $3 million has been pumped into the amusement park in the past two or three years. New rides are just a part of the changes at what once was Bowling Greens biggest tourist draws with the hope of returning it to its glory days. This past weekend marked its daily operation; it had been open on weekends for several weeks. Admission is $1. Separate tickets can be purchased for rides. A $15 armband for all-day rides also is available. This year, we started the season with 32 attractions, plus the pool and waterslide, compared with about half that many last year, Jones said. About half of the rides are geared toward small children and half for older children and adults. We strive to add something every year and hopefully well be able to add three or four more next year. … It costs a lot just to get this thing going. One of the rides, The Avalanche, cost $460,000, and another, The Sizzler, cost $206,000. Last years addition of The Tornado cost $203,000.Add to that price tag a staff that now numbers 60 full-time seasonal employees. When we first started this thing, it was depressing to a lot of folks because they could remember how it used to be and I couldnt do enough quick enough to get that off their minds. … I think in the last two years weve made a big turnaround, he said. My goal was to crawl, then walk, then start running. Were ready to start running in the year 2000.Jones also owns Beech Bend Raceway Park under a separate corporation and an adjacent campground. For Nell Cooper of Mortons Gap, a visit to the park Saturday with 13 other family members, was like returning home. We were here years ago when it was just a dime to get in, she said. This was the only place we came when our children were small. Its not like it used to be, but I know hell add more as time goes on. It was a first-time visit for her sister-in-law, Pearlie Mae Cooper of Hopkinsville, who said the older generation had mostly just been walking around. We watched (the children) ride, but we didnt ride, she said. Melinda Doss of Lafayette, Tenn., was there Saturday with her husband, Terry, and their three daughters, Shannon, 9, Holly, 8, and Hanna, 3.She hadnt been to the park in several years, but was pleased it is seeing new life. We used to come on school trips a long, long time ago, Doss said.