First Look: Ponce City Market's Vintage Rooftop Fun Zone

Expect a grand opening in July — and crowds

By Josh Green@JoshGreen1234 Apr 4, 2016, 1:58pm EDT

Atlanta's favorite new intown hotspot and tourist destination is about to take things to the next level.

Ponce City Market officials tell the Wall Street Journal that the vintage rooftop amusement park — now called Skyline Park — will celebrate a grand opening in July. Last month, Jamestown Properties signed a 10-year deal with Slater Hospitality Group to operate the fun-zone portion of the roof, the newspaper reports. A lucky few Atlantans got a sneak peek at a Sunday charity event, and we've compiled some images below.

The 1.7-acre Skyline Park includes miniature golf, food and drink options, a dunking booth, steeplechase game, giant slide, one of those test-of-strength-hammer-swinging things, and something called the Heege — a ride that simulates a free-fall.

Beyond the amusement park, the remaining 4.3 acres of The Roof will host more restaurants, a large event space (500-person capacity), and private space for building tenants, the WSJ reports.

Jamestown chose old-school amusements to echo the park that once operated on the site. According to the Historic Fourth Ward Park Conservancy, the Ponce de Leon Amusement Park opened in 1903 and featured a casino, theater, merry-go-round, laughing gallery, penny arcade, two "attractive restaurants," and more.

Some quick first impressions: Watching the Beltline from above is oddly entertaining. The big slide is truly fun. The miniature golf course is challenging — but not so challenging to frustrate kiddos. The retro Midway-style games are an inspired touch. This place is going to be popular.

Come on, July.