Tom Norini, the general manager at Kiddieland in Melrose Park talks to Chicago Tribune reporters about the park. (Chicago Tribune)
(WGN-AM)- A family feud is ending the 81-year ride of Kiddieland, one of the few remaining old-time amusement parks in the Chicago area, one of its owners said Wednesday.
"A surprising family decision has finally led to the sale of the land and the finale to a historical era," according to a news release from the amusement park that opened in 1929 with six ponies for children to ride.
Kiddieland's general manager Tom Norini says Kiddieland will be open this summer but close a little earlier in the season to give them time to sell the equipment.
The Melrose Park fixture has more than 30 rides, according to its Web site. The park refers to itself as "the last U.S. theme park catering exclusively to children."
But a longstanding feud between two branches of the family that own and run the park reached crisis point this year, according to Tom Norini, one of the owners and managers of Kiddieland.
The 17 acres where the amusement park operates are owned by the founders' daughter, Shirley Rynes, and her son, Glenn, while the amusement park itself is owned and run by Rynes' other children, Ronald Rynes Jr. and Cathy Norini.
Tom Norini said Shirley and Glenn Rynes have refused to extend the park's lease, which is due to expire at the end of the year.
"They just haven't responded to us," Norini said, "I personally haven't spoken to them in years and all of our contact is through lawyers."
Norini said contractors have been taking soil samples at the park over the last couple of weeks, leading him to believe that the other side of the family, "have a construction project lined up" for the site.
"We don't know what it is or who they're selling to, but the writing is on the wall," he added, "we had always expected that they would renew our lease. It's very sad for us."
The rides and equipment likely will be sold by early October, when the park closes, he said.
"We've finally reached the point of no return," he said.
Alan Sohn, an attorney for Shirley and Glenn Rynes, agreed that the lease has not been renewed and that it expires at the end of the year but said it was "the decision of Kiddieland's management to close the park."
Glenn Rynes did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday morning.
Shirley and Glenn Rynes filed suit in 2004 to evict the park from the property, claiming Ronald Rynes and Norini had failed to provide the required annual insurance policy and that the park's fireworks displays were unsafe and prohibited by the lease.
Both a Cook County court and the Illinois Appellate Court found insurance was in effect, as required by the lease, and that fireworks were not prohibited by the lease, tossing the eviction suit.
Rumors have swirled in recent years about the family selling the property to developers.
(The Chicago Tribune contributed to this story)
Get the latest news at the top and bottom of every hour on News/Talk 720, WGN
"A surprising family decision has finally led to the sale of the land and the finale to a historical era," according to a news release from the amusement park that opened in 1929 with six ponies for children to ride.
Kiddieland's general manager Tom Norini says Kiddieland will be open this summer but close a little earlier in the season to give them time to sell the equipment.
The Melrose Park fixture has more than 30 rides, according to its Web site. The park refers to itself as "the last U.S. theme park catering exclusively to children."
But a longstanding feud between two branches of the family that own and run the park reached crisis point this year, according to Tom Norini, one of the owners and managers of Kiddieland.
The 17 acres where the amusement park operates are owned by the founders' daughter, Shirley Rynes, and her son, Glenn, while the amusement park itself is owned and run by Rynes' other children, Ronald Rynes Jr. and Cathy Norini.
Tom Norini said Shirley and Glenn Rynes have refused to extend the park's lease, which is due to expire at the end of the year.
"They just haven't responded to us," Norini said, "I personally haven't spoken to them in years and all of our contact is through lawyers."
Norini said contractors have been taking soil samples at the park over the last couple of weeks, leading him to believe that the other side of the family, "have a construction project lined up" for the site.
"We don't know what it is or who they're selling to, but the writing is on the wall," he added, "we had always expected that they would renew our lease. It's very sad for us."
The rides and equipment likely will be sold by early October, when the park closes, he said.
"We've finally reached the point of no return," he said.
Alan Sohn, an attorney for Shirley and Glenn Rynes, agreed that the lease has not been renewed and that it expires at the end of the year but said it was "the decision of Kiddieland's management to close the park."
Glenn Rynes did not return calls seeking comment Wednesday morning.
Shirley and Glenn Rynes filed suit in 2004 to evict the park from the property, claiming Ronald Rynes and Norini had failed to provide the required annual insurance policy and that the park's fireworks displays were unsafe and prohibited by the lease.
Both a Cook County court and the Illinois Appellate Court found insurance was in effect, as required by the lease, and that fireworks were not prohibited by the lease, tossing the eviction suit.
Rumors have swirled in recent years about the family selling the property to developers.
(The Chicago Tribune contributed to this story)
Get the latest news at the top and bottom of every hour on News/Talk 720, WGN
