Ohio's Abandoned Riverside Amusement Park Is Now A Thriving Public Space With Nearby Trails

Roughly 40 minutes north of Cincinnati and 35 minutes south of Dayton lies a charming public space with a fascinating past. If you visit, you might not immediately realize the rich history of the place, but there are clues. For example, look up at the on-site playground and you'll notice a structure that resembles the top of a carousel. That's because it once housed one. Today, the former amusement park grounds are home to Monroe Bicentennial Commons Park, a 45-acre outdoor recreational space built on the site of LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park.

Situated on the outskirts of Monroe and within Liberty Township, the park brings back plenty of nostalgia for those who got to experience the old amusement park. LeSourdsville first opened in 1922 under Edgar Streifthau. In its first iteration, the popular park featured a restaurant, bathhouse, and dance hall, plus a man-made swimming lake. General admission cost 10 cents, while swimming cost an additional 25 cents. It expanded into an amusement park in the following decades, adding rides and other attractions. Streifthau then sold the park to two former concessions operators from Cedar Point, a staple Midwest amusement park, in the 1960s, and the park continued to change hands and forms over the years. At one point, it was renamed Americana Amusement Park and became known for its roller coasters, including the Screechin' Eagle, and other family-friendly rides. While it closed and reopened a couple of times, it finally shut down in 2002 after a short-lived comeback. Nearly two decades later, work began to transform the former amusement park into a public space, though it looks much different today.

Right along the Great Miami River, Monroe Bicentennial Commons Park is slowly becoming a go-to of locals in the area. It is incredibly spacious, offering plenty of grassy space for dogs and kids to run around and play on, as well as enjoy a nice leisurely picnic. For many Google reviewers, the main draw for many families is the charming playground, which features a little wooden treehouse, a bridge, multiple slides, and other whimsical structures.

Another big draw is that the playground is covered, providing plenty of shade on hot, sunny days and some shelter from the rain. The nearby former Sky Ride station adds to the nostalgia factor. Reviewers also talk about the park's clean, air-conditioned restrooms, which make it easier for visitors to spend a longer time here.

With its proximity to the river, some reviewers state that it's easy to walk over to do a little fishing, with one mentioning they caught a couple of smallmouth bass and sunfish. If that's not enough, the park is also home to a paved, 1-mile trail that's perfect for a relaxing stroll or a quick, tranquil bike ride. As the park continues to grow, it will be exciting to see what more is added over the next few years.

For joggers, bikers, and hikers, Monroe Bicentennial Commons Park is also close to a larger network of regional trails. The Great Miami River Trail and U.S. Bicycle Route 25 run nearby and can take you to various parts of Ohio. The former includes a 93-mile-long trail running adjacent to the Great Miami River for most of its expanse. You can explore different sections of this route, including the stretch between Middletown and Trenton. This trek is described as easy and offers opportunities to spot great blue herons and ospreys.

U.S. Bicycle Route 25, meanwhile, provides an even more challenging, lengthier experience. The route runs from Cincinnati through Dayton, Lima, and Toledo toward the Michigan border, following both paved trails and roads along the way. Completing the whole route would be a multi-day adventure, but cyclists looking for something shorter can explore nearby sections and turn back whenever they're ready. If you end up doing the full ride, you might want to check out other beautiful bike trails across the U.S. to add to your bucket list.

While Monroe Bicentennial Commons Park might not be your only destination, it's a great addition to a trip to nearby Dayton or Cincinnati, which is quickly becoming a top tourist destination in the Midwest. It's also ideal if you're driving between the two. The park is roughly an hour from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and about 45 minutes south of Dayton International Airport (DAY). The nearest hotels are in Monroe proper and range from about $80 to $100 per night, depending on your vacation dates.