Fresno, CA - The American drive-in movie scene was a healthy industry up until the 1970s and 1980s. The Woodward Park Drive-in Theater opened up right in the midst of the tail end of the peak in 1978 after another drive-in theater called the Starlite closed down and was a big part of the industry serving Fresno and the Central Valley.
Woodward Park Drive-in
Fresno, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The Woodward Park Drive-In in Fresno offered more than the familiar single screen beside the highway. Four towers stood around the grounds, giving moviegoers a choice of features beneath the Central Valley sky. Pick a program, find a space and make sure the car was facing the correct picture. This was an outdoor multiplex with its own roadside personality.
Located on North Abby Street near Blackstone and Herndon, the theatre opened in 1978. That was fairly late in the drive-in story, when older outdoor cinemas were already competing with indoor theatres and increasingly valuable real estate. Its opening followed the loss of Fresno’s Starlite Drive-In, whose property became part of Fashion Fair Mall.
The Woodward Park Drive-in featured four screen to provide a variety of movies for its outdoor movie goers. This theater was located at 7150 North Abby Street.
Woodward Park entrance and screen
Fresno, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The four-screen arrangement gave Woodward Park its familiar “Quad” identity. Another movie might be flickering across the lot, but the sound coming through your speaker or radio belonged to the screen ahead. Quite a temptation to glance over and see what was happening in the other picture.
Summer evenings followed the usual routine: arrive before sunset, visit the concession stand and settle everyone into the car. Blankets, pillows and a little seat rearranging helped, although the rearview mirror always seemed determined to become part of the show.
Unfortunately, the Woodward Park closed down and was demolished rather quickly in drive-in years. The outdoor theater completed demolition in June 2002. Of course a couple of big box stores took its place as was the pattern in the 2000s. Yes, a Costco and Home Depot replaced the drive-in theater in 2003.
Woodward Park Drive-in marquee
Fresno, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
As Fresno’s other drive-ins disappeared, Woodward Park became the city’s last outdoor movie venue. During its later years, it operated seasonally. Some directories list its closure in 2000, while the original RoadsidePeek updates place its last operation in June 2002. The final screening date remains uncertain.
UPDATE: After its last years of summer-only movies, the Woodward Park Drive-in closed down in late June 2002 and was replaced by Costco and Home Depot in 2003. Many thanks to Brian Snyder for update. 07-06
UPDATE: The theatre was demolished in 2003, and the property was redeveloped for big-box retail, including Costco and Home Depot. Its four screens and roadside marquee are gone. Cars still fill the grounds, just without a double feature waiting after sunset. 09-26
Woodward Park Drive-in
Woodward Park entrance and screen
