I am a newspaper reporter looking to interview folks from the Aurora, Joliet, Naperville or Aurora areas about their memories of these defunct amusement parks as a tie-in to the closing of Kiddieland in Melrose Park.

My general interest is why these places remain so nostalgic for those who went there as children, what it means that the last one will soon be gone, did Great America play a role in their inevitable demise, even if it took three decades to accomplish it?

If you're interested, please e-mail me at karen.sorensen@att.net. Tell me what town you live in and provide a phone number through which I can reach you during the day.

Also, I'll be following any notes that are posted here as well.