In 1867, an apple farmer by the name of James Parker purchased a apple orchard located along the shores of the
Ohio River. Over the years, Coney Island became a full-fledged amusement park, complete with rides and
carnival games. Notable additions included the first and second
Island Queen in 1896 and 1925, respectively, Moonlite Gardens dance pavilion in 1925, the Wildcat and Twister wooden roller coasters in 1926, the Land of Oz children's section in 1934, and the Shooting Star roller coaster (a renovation of the former Clipper roller coaster) in 1947. Coney Island became a Cincinnati institution. It was desegregated after being sued in 1952 by
Marian Spencer. The park's proximity to the river made it prone to frequent flooding. In 1968, park management entered into talks with
Taft Broadcasting for the purpose of developing a new park on higher ground. Taft responded by buying Coney Island outright in 1969, and construction began the following year on a new site located in
Deerfield Township of
Warren County north of Cincinnati along Interstate 71. Coney Island closed its amusements on September 6, 1971, as most of its rides were moved to the newly completed
Kings Island theme park. After Kings Island opened in 1972, Taft Broadcasting intended to sell Coney Island's land for redevelopment. However, with the company's decision to open another theme park in Virginia (
Kings Dominion) and its acquisition of
Carowinds on the North Carolina-South Carolina border, the property's redevelopment became a low priority. Less than two years after closing, Coney Island reopened permanently in 1973. The park was only a shadow of its former self but still featured several popular attractions. The Sunlite Pool helped Coney Island remain a popular summertime destination. The park donated of land for the construction of
Riverbend Music Center which opened in 1984. The land was the former location of the Wildcat and Shooting Star roller coasters. The Riverbend amphitheater serves as the summer home of the Cincinnati
Symphony and
Pops Orchestras, as well as a concert venue for other musical acts. In 1991, Coney Island was purchased by Cincinnati businessman Ronald Walker. No longer held back by a corporate entity, management was able to restore Coney Island as a traditional amusement park with familiar rides such as the "
Tilt-A-Whirl",
bumper cars, carnival games and musical shows. The decision was based on attendance, consumer feedback, and rising costs associated with maintaining ride operation. On December 14, 2023, the park announced that it would be sold to Music and Event Management, Inc. (MEMI), a subsidiary of the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, with plans to redevelop the property into a multi-use venue with sports, dining, and entertainment. Demolition proceeded in early 2024 despite a failed grassroots effort to save the Sunlite Pool and the surrounding property. ==List of attractions==