Memphis Kiddie Park
Yesterday, I set out with my camera to take some standard nature photos at local metro park in a simple attempt get my photography juices flowing, as I have been feeling fairly uninspired lately. The park I went to happens to be right next door to local landmark, the Memphis Kiddie Park. After roaming around the metro park for a while and still feeling uninspired I decided to swing by the Kiddie Park to take a photo or two of their sign:
Given that it is the park’s off season I was surprised to see there were no barriers or other attempts to keep people out of the actual park area. Being a Kiddie Park patron/lover myself, I had no intention of strolling in and potentially upsetting anyone, so I just decided to roam around the outside area of the park to see if anything caught my eye from a distance.
While rounding the corner towards the back of the park, a young man in a Army jacket approached me.
“Can I help you with something?”
“Oh no, I was just roaming around here taking a few pictures, if that’s cool.”
He seemed friendly so I decided to ask if it’d be alright if I went inside and took a few more, remembering the lack of barriers.
“Oh, yeah, that’d be fine. Just don’t steal any of our stuff.”
“Oh, of course not! I love the Kiddie Park!” Excited for the opportunity I went on to thank him, probably a few more times than necessary (most likely due to the relief of meeting a person who did not immediately act as though I was some sort of criminal conspirator simply because I had a camera).
I then spent the next hour and half or so gathering the following photos of the empty park:
View from the parking lot.
View of the carousel from the entrance.
Many of the rides require riders to be 50″ or shorter.
Party people only.
The Little Dipper is North America’s oldest steel roller coaster still in operation.
If you happen to live in the Cleveland area I highly recommend visiting the Kiddie Park when it reopens in the spring. Even if you don’t have young children, you can get a sweet deal on 18 holes of minigolf. For more information, including pictures of what the park looks like when there are actual people and functioning rides in it click here.
Note: Memphis Kiddie Park did not officially endorse or pay me for this post in any way. I’ve just enjoyed many a warm sunny day there playing minigolf or riding the rides (when I was shorter than 50 inches, that is).
This particular blog entry was awesome. Its sad to see the ghost town that remains. I grew up in the Cleveland area and loved going to kiddie park. We brought our children there even after we moved away to Cincinnati. They are 12 and 13 now. Wow. Thanks for the memories. I also remember sled riding down that big memphis hill. Man, do I feel like a old guy now…
Glad you enjoyed it! I think you speak for a lot of people in the area of the last few generations that have similar memories…And yes the Memphis/Tiedeman hill is the best in town!
Luckily, the park is still open! It is just currently closed for the season. My family still goes there for the minigolf in the spring and summer regularly!
Ah good news! I thought it closed up for good about a year ago. Obviously bad info! Keep those small buisnesses rolling!