Illinois amusement park Kiddieland now closed

The long-standing Illinois amusement park Kiddieland has closed its doors for good. The park first opened in 1950 just west of Chicago after a 21-year run as a somewhat grandiose local fair. The closure was due to disagreements within the family that owns the park. One faction within the family preferred to continue operations as usual while another would prefer to use it for "other purposes."

Reaction to the closing of the park has been mixed, but long-time locals are undeniably upset by the closure. "It sounds crazy to cry over a park, but it's not just a park; it has always been there, and it's something you can count on," Vickie Perkins, long-time resident of the area, told Preservation magazine. All rides that inhabit the now shuttered park are now for sale. [Via Breaking News]