Results tagged “kiddieland”

When it was announced earlier this year that popular area amusement park Kiddieland would be closing due to a family feud, speculation circled that some family members were looking to sell the property for a construction project. Now, it seems those rumors are true as box-store giant Costco confirmed yesterday that they are looking into purchasing the land, according to the Proviso Herald. Costco senior executive vice president and chief operating officer Dick DiCerchio confirmed the plans.

It was just a few weeks ago that we mourned the closing of famed local amusement park Kiddieland. And now, the rides aren't even cold but they're being torn down and auctioned off, giving you a chance to buy your favorite ride. Why? Because the would-be buyer who wanted to buy the park as a whole and relocate it to Utica, IL defaulted. So now you'll have a chance to own a piece of the park as they dismantle it. Five of the park's rides and train have been sold to other amusement parks but there will still be 20 rides - including the carousel and Roto Whip - to choose from come the auction on November 24.

               

Much like the Riverview Park of yore, Kiddieland is almost nothing more than memories now. This will be the final weekend for the decades-old amusement park in Melrose Park, and rather than dig back through old newspapers we thought we'd take a look at the place that will very soon be history.

• A Decatur man has been arrested for plotting to blow up a federal courthouse in Springfield.
• Mayor Daley called the safety violations the FAA took O'Hare International Airport to task for "not very significant."
• This whole Cubs sale is one step closer to being done.

Riverview. Old Chicago. Kiddie Kingdom. Santa's Village. All bygone Chicago-area amusement parks that exist only as nostalgic memories. And after this year, Kiddieland in Melrose Park will be added to the list. Owners of the historic site that has entertained kids for 80 years have announced that this summer season will be their final one.

Prosecutors yesterday detailed the case against former Melrose Park Police Chief Vito Scavo, accused of extorting the historic Kiddieland Amusement Park. Not for cotton candy and lifetime rides on the Tornado, but rather using "strong-arm tactics" to force the park to use security guards from Scavo's firm. Assistant U.S. Atty. Stephen Andersson also says that Scavo ran the security firm out of police headquarters and used on-duty Melrose Park police officers to patrol the firm's clients, leading to some "double dipping" -- they allegedly collected salaries from both Scavo and the village. Besides Kiddieland, feds say Scavo also shook down Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, truck engine manufacturer Navistar, and local bars and restaurants.