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Grandfather builds theme park for two-year-old granddaughter in family garden

The two-year-old has her own roller coaster, swing, ferris wheel and roundabout

Rachael Revesz
Monday 01 May 2017 10:35 BST
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Grandpa builds personal theme park for granddaughter

For one little girl in Texas, her grandfather was prepared to build her very own theme park to ensure they developed a bond like he had with his own grandfather.

Jimmy White, from Decatur, Texas, lives next door to his granddaughter and could hardly complain that he did not see her enough.

But on the day he found out his daughter was pregnant, he said he thought of a novel way to ensure he could entertain little Sophia.

He immediately set about in his work shed, building a roller coaster, which circles around a pink carnival swing, a roundabout and a blue ferris wheel with yellow metal seats.

“Any time she wants something I’m going to try to give it to her,” he told CBS.

“That’s what grand kids are for, you spoil them.”

He explained the park was made from scrap parts, but was safe enough for an adult to ride.

He even put a seat belt in the roller coaster carriage.

Mr White operates the roller coaster by pushing Sophia in her seat to the top and letting gravity do the rest.

The two-year-old comes to enjoy the rides every day, he said.

As she gets older, she will outgrow the rides, but Mr White plans to expand the park and go-karts are first on the list.

Showing emotion during the interview, he said he thought about the close relationship he had with his own grandfather.

“After I pass away, I want her to look back on all the good times that we had,” he explained.

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