Kiddieland Amusement Park

Infobox Amusement park
name = Kiddieland Amusement Park


caption = Sign at the front of Kiddieland.
location = Melrose Park
location2 = Illinois
location3 = United States flagicon|USA
season = April-October
opening_date = 1929
previous_names =
rides = 30
coaster =
water_rides =
owner = Family owned and operated
homepage = [http://www.kiddieland.com/default.asp www.kiddieland.com]

Kiddieland Amusement Park is an amusement park located just west of Chicago at the corner of North Avenue and First Avenue in Melrose Park, Illinois. It is home to several classic rides including the "Little Dipper" roller coaster, which opened in 1950.

The park is in jeopardy of closing by 2010 due to a dispute amongst the family as the land is owned by Shirley and Glenn Rynes, while the park is operated by Ronald Rynes and Cathy Norini. [ [http://www.coasterbuzz.com/2006-159-833288.htm Chicago's Kiddieland in jeopardy over family feud] ]

History

Kiddieland started out as a small venture of Arthur Fritz in 1929 when he purchased six ponies and offered rides as an escape for parents reeling from the Great Depression. Miniature gasoline-powered cars were added a few years later after Fritz learned that they were being given away to children by the newspaper as a subscription promotion.

In 1940, the "German Carousel", two Miniature Steam Locomotives, the "Little Auto Ride", the "Roto Whip" and the "Ferris Wheel" were added. The Roto Whip and the Ferris Wheel are still operated at the park. The park saw its first major expansion in the 1950s with the addition of the Little Dipper and the Carousel, of which both still exist today. Bumper cars were added in the 1960s as they replaced the original pony ride.

The park transferred ownership in 1977, as Arthur Fritz's grandchildren took over the park and its operation. The park has continued its expansion since then and has installed several major attractions, including a Log flume, a swinging pirate ship, a convert|40|ft|m|sing=on long water coaster, and numerous other attractions.

The Little Dipper

The Litter Dipper was designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1950. The brakes are operated manually by a wooden handle in the station. The out-and-back coaster is convert|24|ft|m tall and travels a course of convert|700|ft|m. It was awarded the ACE Coaster Classic award by the American Coaster Enthusiasts.

References

External links

* [http://www.kiddieland.com Official Site]