Long Island Beach facts for kids
| Location | Whitewater Township, Ohio, USA |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1924 |
| Closed | 1956 |
Long Island Beach was a popular amusement park in Whitewater Township, Ohio, in the United States. It was a favorite spot for families and friends to have fun and cool off during the summer.
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A Popular Park in Ohio
Long Island Beach was a special place that many people enjoyed. It was often compared to a smaller version of Coney Island, another famous amusement park. This park was open for many years, from 1924 until 1956.
How Long Island Beach Started
The land where the park was built was first bought by John Pope in 1888. Later, in 1924, John's son, Earl Pope, and his wife, Dolores Pope, decided to open an amusement park there. They created a wonderful place for people to visit and enjoy.
What You Could Do at the Park
Long Island Beach offered many exciting things to do. Visitors could enjoy hand-powered rides, which were a unique attraction. There was also a huge swimming area with over a mile of beaches along the Whitewater River.
Besides swimming and rides, the park had other fun activities. People could play bingo, go camping, or use the ball fields. Dances were also very popular. Famous musicians, like Rosemary Clooney and Spike Jones, performed there.
The park was a favorite place for company picnics. Many local businesses would bring their employees for a fun day out. It was common for more than 1,000 visitors to come to Long Island Beach every day. In its early years, people from nearby Cincinnati would even take a streetcar to escape the summer heat and enjoy a picnic or a swim.
Why the Park Closed
Long Island Beach closed its doors in 1956. This happened because new city swimming pools and local park districts started to open. These new places offered similar activities, which meant fewer people visited Long Island Beach.
What Happened After the Park Closed
After the park closed, the Pope family, who owned it, changed the land back into a farm. However, in 1998, the family decided to use the site for river fun again. They opened a canoe rental business called Green Acres. This allowed people to enjoy the Whitewater River once more.
