After an 80-year run, the 17 acre Kiddieland in Melrose Park, a Chicago suburb, closes down this Sunday, September 27th. It is one of the last small, privately-owned entertainment venues in the country and area. It is "a vintage shrine to mild family entertainment" in this day of EXTREME entertainment and mega parks.
My wife says she used to go there between ten and fifteen times a year all through the time she lived in Chicago. I don't remember ever going to the place. Either her dad, mom, or friends of the family would take her. It was about 9-10 miles from her apartment. When she would go, tickets were bought individually for the rides.
It has been a family business since it started as a pony ride. Part of the family owns the land and has refused to renew the lease for the other part. Possibly a family squabble?
The park draws between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors a year. The 30 rides appealed especially to children between ages 2 to 9. The seasonal workforce consisted of 250 mostly high school students and there were 14 year-round employees who will be looking for jobs.
First Santa's Village, now this. Is Adventureland still open?
From the May 21st Chicago Tribune "Kiddieland's 80-year ride ending" by Ted Gregory.
Sad to See Another Piece of the Past Go By the Way. --Cooter
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