One hot morning last summer, my sister and I took my toddler grandson to Memphis Kiddie Park. He was a bit under the weather and possibly a bit homesick, but he gamely tried most of the rides and possibly enjoyed a few of them.
While our visit was underwhelming, the quaint amusement park in the Brooklyn area of Greater Cleveland was just as I remembered it when I took my kids there nearly 30 years ago. That was exactly
the type of memory the late owner, Russell Wintner, loved to hear from visitors. It’s also why I’m sad he won’t be around any longer to create more memories like that for families.
Russell died in January at his home in Florida. After my visit to the park, I followed up with him to pre-shoot a cover story for our upcoming May/June issue of NEO Boomer magazine. He was enormously proud of the park his father opened the day Russell was born in 1952. I interviewed several of his employees — most retirees — and they clearly enjoyed working at the amusement park and for Russell. With 11 rides, all meticulously maintained, Russell knew his little park had a big place in the hearts of thousands of Northeast Ohio families.
I hope Memphis Kiddie Park remains open. I’m glad I was able to share the experience with my grandson; I hope I can do it again this summer.
