Monroe Bicentennial Commons Park is a growing park at the western edge of the City of Monroe along the picturesque Great Miami River, a state and national scenic river. In addition to a covered playground, restroom facility and walking paths, the park connects with the Great Miami River Trail and US Bike Route 25, a 308-mile trail stretching from the Ohio-Michigan border to the Ohio River near Cincinnati. The property is rich in history and has been a recreational destination in Monroe since the early 20th century.
History
Throughout the 20th century, this property was an amusement park originally opened in 1922 as a family picnic destination with swimming amenities along the since-abandoned Miami-Erie Canal. In the 1940s, LeSourdsville Lake transformed into an amusement park with the addition of rides, attractions, and an arcade. The park was sold in 1961, and following heavy competition from nearby Kings Island, it was rebranded the Americana Amusement Park in 1978. The park continued to operate until its closure in 1999 following an electrical fire that cost over $5 million in damages.
In keeping with the amusement park history of the space, the original carousel structure was used to house a sheltered playground for young children, while the entrance arches were repurposed for the new park entrance.
