Longtime 'Kiddie Acres' North Austin Fixture Closes

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — Another Austin institution bites the dust.

After nearly 40 years in business, amusement park Kiddie Acres has closed. In a Facebook post, operators Joseph and Marina Herring announced their retirement and the resulting closure of the attraction last Friday.

Fans of Kiddie Acres shared their memories in the comments thread to the post, recalling childhood memories of going to the place for its merry-go-round and train and to take in some miniature golf or riding ponies.

"After 38 wonderful years, Marina and I have retired and Kiddie Acres is now closed," Joseph Herring wrote on Facebook. "We are a thankful for a wonderful career of bringing smiles to the children of Austin. Thank you for all the support and love as we transition into this new stage of our lives."

Those who will miss the magical place will be able to buy pieces of it as mega-keepsakes. According to the park’s website, all Kiddie Acres rides will be up for auction with bidding starting July 11 and ending Aug. 8, the couple said.

After nearly four decades in operation, Kiddie Acres' fans transcended generations.

"My almost 12-year-old daughter cried when I told her," Karen Dale wrote below the Facebook post announcing the closure. "Kiddie Acres was a part of so many childhoods. You've also provided jobs for many teens over the years, especially home-schooled teens. Thank you for the fun memories and being so kind when I came to you over the years for nonprofit group rates."

Adindu Okoro related how he took his toddler to Kiddie Acres recently after having himself enjoyed the place when he was a child: "I took my 5 year old son there a couple weeks ago. Also went there when I moved to Texas in 1986. Loved that he was able to experience the same place I went to as a kid. Sad to see this go yet thankful it has been around so long."

For her part, Amanda Woelfel Weyrick credited Kiddie Acres for ensuring sibling harmony when she was but a toddler: "My dad took me to Kiddie Acres when I was two years old," she wrote. "My sister has just been born and I was pretty ticked off at my dad about that. Our trip to Kiddie Acres repaired that relationship pretty quickly."

>>> Photo by Adam Jones adamjones.freeservers.com via Wikimedia Commons