Mission Beach’s Belmont Park is getting a pre‑summer polish. The oceanfront playground is in the middle of a multi‑million‑dollar refresh that smooths out its 100‑plus‑year‑old Giant Dipper roller coaster and adds a free play zone for kids, all while trying to keep that old‑school boardwalk vibe locals like to brag about.
Giant Dipper Gets A Smoother Run
The Giant Dipper recently went offline for a six‑week rehabilitation that focused on sanding out the bumps in the wooden track and making the ride more comfortable, a project that ran about $1.6 million, park officials said. NBC San Diego reported that the work wrapped in February as the coaster heads toward its 101st birthday this July. Park managers say the goal is to keep the landmark’s historic character intact while making it feel a little less rattly for tourists and families.
Track Work, Reopening And Rider Numbers
Maintenance crews swapped out wood throughout the structure, and the coaster quietly slipped back into operation in mid‑March, according to the Times of San Diego. The outlet also noted that more than 553,700 riders climb aboard the Dipper each year, which helps explain why owners keep pouring money into major rehabs to handle the constant seaside traffic…