Behind the Scenes at Arnolds Park Amusement Park

At the heart of day-to-day operations at Arnolds Park Amusement Park is a man who prefers to stay behind the scenes. He isn’t front and center but his leadership and responsibilities oversee everything from rides, facility, grounds, and Queen II maintenance. For the past 13 years, Jordan Furman has worked at the Amusement Park and has gradually added new roles to his daily activities.

“Not one day is the same and hours can be long during the summer months, but I love the variety and helping our guests have fun. I also appreciate being able to work with some awesome staff,” Jordan said. “The last few years, I’ve really enjoyed learning new things and overseeing different areas of the Park.”

Jordan grew up two blocks from Arnolds Park Amusement Park and spent many days as a young boy enjoying rides and running around the Park. His mom found a picture from 1992 of him around five, standing with Boji Bear with the old Ferris Wheel in the background.

“It’s amazing how much the area has changed since I was a little boy,” he added.

After graduation, Jordan never planned to return to the immediate area but perspective has a way of changing as you get older. He attended college in Sioux Falls for Criminal Justice before returning to the area to work for the Arnolds Park and Milford Police Departments.

“I was never planning on coming back to this area and now I’m thankful I did!” Jordan said. “I can’t picture being anywhere else.”

At the time, on Saturdays, when he wasn’t working in law enforcement, then Marketing Manager Paul Plumb recruited him to bartend for the Amusement Park. Several years later, he moved towards working for the Amusement Park full-time and has gradually added more responsibilities.

“I’ve worked under four different CEO’s and thankful for each one. I love the environment and how you get to interact and work with so many different people who come from different walks of life,” Jordan shared. “I’m also thankful for how our current CEO Jon (Pausley) sees the big picture and is always looking long-term to create success here at the Park. I also really appreciate my boss, Mike Lamb, and all of his leadership.”

Today, Jordan manages multiple areas of Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Every day is different, whether it’s being 85 feet up in the air replacing a flag pole, cleaning up after a summer concert or making sure the Queen II is running with ease. He loves the staff he is honored to work with, especially those who come from different cultures.

“Our H2B staff and J1 workers add so much depth to our organization. Some have master’s degrees or are going to school for engineering, and they come from their countries to help us at the Park every summer,” he said.

A normal summer day for Jordan starts at 7 a.m. and doesn’t stop until later in the day. Being responsible for different departments, his phone rings non-stop and he’s always on the go. “I thought I knew a lot before, but I definitely see all of the planning that goes on behind the scenes now,” he added. “Every day, we love to have purposeful fun!”

Excitement at the Amusement Park

Every year, exciting new changes and additions take place at Arnolds Park Amusement Park and 2026 is no different. When the Park officially opens on Saturday, May 16, new rides like the Dueling Vertical Bikes, Spider Mountain, Big Kahuna, and Bungy Trampoline will be ready for this year’s guests.

Jordan Furman and his crew have been working hard to get the Amusement Park ready for a new season, since it closed in 2025. All of the rides get taken down in various forms, many stored away until mid-Spring. The rides get repainted and repaired, including every single piece of the Legend Roller Coaster.

“Everything comes a part on the cars and an equipment specialist checks everything out before it gets put back together,” Jordan explained. “Then an inspector comes the last week in April and goes through every ride.”

Crews from Florida helped put up the new rides at the beginning of April, with some old favorites being updated, such as swings that lie down and also twirl.

Besides new rides, there is also upgraded concrete throughout the park, as well as a renovated Arcade with new games. “Everything in the Arcade has been remodeled and is new!” Jordan shared.

The tree near the Carousel was trimmed and will become another OkoboTree Boji Bear sculpture this summer. The giant chairs have been repainted, and in the upcoming future, the Mirror Maze will be returning nearby.

Other special things this summer at Arnolds Park Amusement Park will be the flower beds alongside the Roof Garden. Cottage Gardens Center is overseeing a beautification project alongside the Amusement Park and Imagine Iowa Great Lakes, which will highlight the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

Besides the hanging baskets and the jumbo planters, each square bed will be filled with red, white and blue flowers in a patriotic pattern.

“We are excited for what Cottage Gardens is doing for the flower beds, and another fun thing taking place on July 4th is all of the Arnolds Park Amusement Park staff will be wearing July 4th shirts that feature the American Flag,” Jordan shared.

Jordan also is excited about the 40th Anniversary of the Queen II, with a celebration taking place June 21. “That boat is special and I’ve learned a lot about it the past few years, especially its engines,” he said.

In 2025, loading took place at a new dock north towards the Arnolds Park Beach. A ticket booth especially created for the boat was built nearby. Because of regulations, this year, it’s been moved closer to the Pier.

“The ticket booth is actually made from an old shipping container and then mounted and turned into a building. Dawson Kuker did a fabulous job on its renovation and then helping me move it,” Jordan said.
Most of all, Jordan is excited for the upcoming season, whether it’s this year’s concerts or the new rides. He is excited how every year Arnolds Park Amusement Park improves and gets better. To find out hours or to purchase tickets, visit arnoldspark.com.

“When I think back to what the park was when I was a little boy to what it is now, it’s so exciting to see all of the changes,” Jordan said. “Every year we get better, improving facilities and have great staffing. Every day, we have productive fun and we’re excited to serve our guests for another season.”