Chicago Kiddieland will close after 80 years

Get that Schmeck credit while you can....hard to imagine another "family" woodie of his being relocated - lightning rarely strikes twice.

I've never been there.

I still find it sad though. That would be like Memphis Kiddie Park closing in Cleveland/Brooklyn.

Sad, just sad.

The trajedy here is that the park isn't closing becuase of lack of business. This place still brings in the people.

I don't understand why they don't just try to sell the park/land as a whole if it's a successful business.

Sounds like there are waaay to many family members involved in this to come to a viable solution.

It feels like the Kennywood situation, where the family got so big, they all began bickering over the park.

Lets hope they are open to potential buyers.

According to the park reps whom emailed me when I asked about the closure, they claimed that the closing is not due to a family feud however it is simply due to the lease on the land is expiring at the end of the year. Just thought I would pass it on. Not sure if it is ok to copy and paste what they emailed me so I didnt do that.

^I doubt they will email anyone saying "Well because Uncle So and So is a doody head, we are closing the park". There are always ways to legitimize even the most ridiculous situations, and I am sure that is why you got the response you did. It is sad to see another one of these parks close, now if I could just win the powerball I would take the rides off their hands and move them out here.

Here's the synopsis of a 2006 story, but it doesn't offer a lot...

http://coasterbuzz.com/news/8609/chicagos-kiddieland-in-jeopardy-ov...-feud.aspx

I realize that the story has been out there for years and now they are finally closing and trying to close the books on the rumor. As far as I am concerned you can decide for yourself if it is just a rumor or not. I am pretty sure the wheels were in motion 3 years ago to close the park probably due to the lease issues.

From the email that I received (remove it if this is considered against TOS):

Jeremy,

Perhaps as the buzz subsides a bit I willhave time to speak with individuals.

As part of the third generation of family owners and operators that have owned and operated Kiddieland since 1977, let me assure you that our closing is simply due to the fact that our lease has run out.
All of us here have experienced great joy throughout our tenure as the owner operators of this much beloved and cherished family amusement park and absolutely want to share the love and joy with all of our guests throughout this, our last season in 2009.

I want each of you to know individually how much it means to all of us here to receive your emails telling us your feelings, sharing your memories and offering us your support.

Best personal regards,

Tom
Kiddieland Amusement Park

EDIT for spacing issues.

I sure hope a buyer pops up, the family changes their mind, or whatever. This place is great. For an adult coaster geek, it's truly an oasis (speaking for myself). Free parking, free pop, a great classic - beautifully maintained, run, looking, - coaster, great flat rides (Intamin Polyp). I would hate to see this place close.

From the big lighted sign out front - perfectly taken care of like it's still the 50's, to the rides, etc. I could see these rides going to someone that would be 'good enough' for them though, like Holidayworld. Heck, anyone who would want them would probably be 'good enough'.

I don't buy it. If that's the case, why don't they say that, and for what reason would they not be able to renew the lease?

The part of the family that owns the land want to sell the land to developers as it will make them more money than any amount that the park could pay in a lease.

That is the long and short of it from what I have been able to determine over the years of following this story.

George is right. That basically is what it boils down to. One side of the family is greedy. That is why they tried to break the lease a few years back because of fireworks.

I think the biggest tragedy of all of this is the back and forth closing-not closing-closing-not closing that's been going on for years now. The family is a bunch of greedy snots who are intent on making the place a wasteland, which is sad. Tiny ones need places like this to go in that area of the city, and it's a tradition! I grew up going to kiddieland and often took kids I babysat for in the summers there. It's sad to see the place go finally.