Friday, January 07, 2000
Americana park ends 77 years of family fun
Unable to compete with other venues
BY MICHAEL D. CLARK and JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
MONROE — Owners of Americana Amusement Park announced Thursday they have closed the entertainment complex, ending more than seven decades of summer fun.
Lower-than-expected attendance and growing competition from the Tristate's other entertainment venues were the reasons for closing, Americana officials said.
The Butler County amusement park, 20 miles north of Cincinnati, employed 24 full-time workers in the off-season and up to 300 summer workers. It has operated under several different owners since opening in 1922 as a recreation park called LeSourdsville Lake.
“It was not an easy decision for us,” said John Ellison, executive vice president of Park River West, which also owns Coney Island in Hamilton County.
The closing does not affect Coney Island, Mr. Ellison said.
It will have an effect, though, on some of the millions who were entertained at the park over the decades.
Ed Shelley, president of the Armco Employees Independent Federation at nearby AK Steel, said Americana was “a really good place for a union picnic, a family-type picnic.”
“I think it's sad it's closing. Places like that are good for kids. It's bad for the community to lose something like that,” said Mr. Shelley. “I remember going there as a young boy when Armco had a family night out there. ... That was a big event for all the kids in our family.”
Mr. Ellison declined to reveal attendance numbers but
said Americana's popularity had increased in both the summers of 1998 and 1999, though not enough to reach Park River's goals. The company purchased the amusement park in 1996 from Leisure Systems Inc.
He cited the draw of Paramount's Kings Island in Warren County and other Tristate amusement attractions as being too strong.
“There is a lot out there in the marketplace vying for the entertainment dollar,” he said.
He said Americana officials are pursuing new owners who may want to purchase and continue the operation of the amusement park, on Hamilton-Middletown Road, , but there are no current sale negotiations.
“The park is a wonderful family place and we have enjoyed being a part of this area's business community,” said Mr. Ellison.
Local officials and residents expressed surprise and disappointment at word of the park's closing.
Monroe Mayor Elbert Tannreuther said the announcement was “a shock to me.”
“It's been a mainstay in our community for decades. The park had a lot of seasonal workers,” he said.
Stephanie Sizemore, 17, was one of those seasonal employees who was counting on Americana again this summer.
“I'm really surprised. It doesn't bring in as many people as Kings Island, but it was more family-oriented,” said the Lemon-Monroe High School student who lives within walking distance of the park.
Jaya Bhakta, who owns the Parkside Inn motel adjacent to Americana, was not overly worried about the impact on his business or the surrounding business community.
“There is still a lot of business coming into this area. The people that came to the park didn't stay overnight much,” said Mr. Bhakta.
Mr. Ellison said people and groups who have purchased tickets for the 2000 season will receive full refunds by the end of the month. The 24 full-time employees will receive severance packages and outplacement assistance.
Americana's administration office will reopen Monday. Those seeking information regarding refunds can call (800) 486-3070.
25 million visited park over 77 years
Americana park ends 77 years of family fun
25 million visited park over 77 years
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