Chicago Area Local News

MELROSE PARK, Ill. (CBS) ― The iconic Kiddieland Amusement Park in the near west suburbs is closing down after entertaining Chicago area children for over 80 years, following a long feud among members of the founding family.  

The owners of the amusement park, at 8400 W. North Ave. in Melrose Park, announced on Wednesday morning that the park is shutting down after this season, the park's 81st.

Rumors of the demise of Kiddieland have been circulating for a decade, but only now did the park owners and the managers of the trust that owns the land decide it was time to call it quits. They are all members of the same family, and their squabbles are well-known.

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports that Chicago area children and their parents are all losing a piece of their youth.

"It's just kind of the end of an era I guess," said Kiddieland Owner Tom Norini. "It is what it is."

Kiddieland dates from 1929, when founder Arthur Fritz set up six ponies and offered rides to children as the country began to struggle with the Great Depression. By 1940, Kiddieland had expanded to include a carousel, two miniature steam locomotives, a "Little Auto" ride, the Roto Whip and a Ferris wheel – the last two of which are still in operation.

The water slide, the Little Dipper roller coaster and the child-sized train that runs around the park also became popular attractions.

When asked if there was any way to save the park, Norini said, "We've elected that we're not going to move it or relocate it, and the lease is expired, so the writing's kind of on the wall."

After the park closes in September, the rides will be dismantled and sold.

The park's closing has sickened folks, old and young.

Brianna Estrada's mom Terri likes Kiddieland because she saves money there.

"Who's going to pay $50, $70 to go to Great America?" Terri Estrada said. "Who's got gas money to go to Gurnee, Illinois?"

Kiddieland became a destination point for generations of Chicago children.

"I remember my parents bringing myself, my sister and my cousins to Kiddieland before we were old enough to enjoy the rides at Riverview," a visitor, Sandy, posted on the Kiddieland Web site.

"Wow! Talk about a blast from the past! My Mom and Grandmother took me to Kiddieland every summer until I was 12…. It's fantastic that you are still in business! I bookmarked your page to remind me of the wonderful childhood I had," wrote Rosemarie from McMinnville, Ore.

The announcement also disappointed big kids with a lifetime of memories. Seniors at the McDonald's across the road from Kiddieland reminisced Wednesday with CBS 2's Susan Carlson.

"I was at Kiddieland years and years when they used to have the pony rides there," said John Vucetich. "But they don't have pony rides no more." That was back in the 1930s.

"It's a historic place," added Irene St. John. "It should remain, and the people should quit arguing about who owns it."

"Generation after generation of children have enjoyed it," Vucetich said. "It's meant as a binding unit; it brings people together."

Jim Kaese said the youngest generation is losing out.

"I think it's the biggest mistake for my grandkids, because I take them there every weekend," he said.

"That's not fair. You've got to give the little kids someplace to go and enjoy, and spend their father and mother's money," another man said.

But the park also has some detractors. On the Chicago Tribune Web site, one visitor commented complained that the park was shopworn and not always clean, that the rides are old, and that tickets cost $23 for children over 6.

Fritz's two daughters later took over the amusement park, and in January 1977, the current owners, Ron and Mary Rynes and Tom and Cathy Norini, took over operation. Ron Rynes and Cathy Norini are Fritz's grandchildren.

A land trust that is also made up of Fritz family members controls the land under the amusement park, and negotiations have been in progress for several years about whether to keep it going. In a news release, co-owner Norini said there is now little hope for a last-minute reprieve to keep Kiddieland going.

"Kiddieland has been so much a part of our lives, I am grateful to have been part of the park's history and for being able to bring joy to so many children and families for the past 33 years", Norini said in a news release.

The feud between the branch of the Fritz family that owns the park and the branch that runs the land trust has been going on for several years. The Chicago Tribune reported that the land trust owners, Shirley and Glenn Rynes, sued their relatives in 2004 to try to get Kiddieland evicted, claiming that they hadn't purchased an insurance policy and were setting off unsafe fireworks. But two courts ruled that the park owners were properly insured.

Kiddieland is the city's oldest amusement park, and part of a dying breed. Another iconic Chicago area park, Santa's Village in East Dundee, closed in 2006 after nearly 50 years. And of course, the legendary Riverview Park at Western and Belmont avenues closed in 1967.

The owners of Kiddieland are already preparing to sell off the rides and equipment. Unless something changes, the sale will begin in October, according to the news release.

Norini says he is going to miss it very much.

"It's very emotional," Norini said.

Compared to Great America, Kiddieland is something of a bargain. The Gurnee super park charges $54.99 for general admission, plus $15 to park. At Kiddieland, admission is $23 and parking is free. Kiddieland's final season starts in June.

CBS 2's Susan Carlson and Mike Parker contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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