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Location -- Ross, Ohio, U.S. Opened 1924 Owner Stricker Family, Stricker’s Grove Management LLC. Slogan -- A park for families and children. Operating season -- Closed to the public most of the year. Area -- 25 acres Attractions Total 17 Roller coasters 2 Water rides 0 Stricker's Grove Stricker's Grove is a family owned amusement park located in Ross, Ohio, USA. Unlike other amusement parks, Stricker's Grove is closed to the public for most of the year. Instead, it is rented out for private functions, such as weddings. The park is open to the public for 8 days of every year, on July 4, 4 days in mid July for the Hamilton County 4-H Community Fair, the second Sunday in August (Family Day), Labor Day, and a Sunday in October called "Customer Appreciation Day". History The park was first started in 1924 in Mt. Healthy, Ohio by Henry Stricker on 55 acres of property next to the Drive-in on Compton Rd. The Stricker's lived in a house on the property. Henry Stricker initially used the land for a place for coworkers to come to on weekends to picnic and enjoy the countryside. A dance hall was later added, and was designed so that if the park failed, it could be converted into a chicken coop. In the 1940s, a pony cart ride was added along with a horse and pony track. The first rides arrived at the park in 1954, including the Boat Ride and the Rockets, both of which remain in operation. Upon Henry's death in 1960, the park was passed on to his three sons, Harold, Elmer, and Ralph. In 1972, the park was relocated to Ross, Ohio and Ralph became the sole owner. Ralph died in January 2007. His daughter Debbie and three longtime employees now operate the park. Rides and attractions Stricker's Grove currently has several amusement rides, including two "classic" wooden roller coasters. Tornado Tornado roller coaster The larger of the roller coasters is Tornado, de SPRINGFIELD TWP. - Ralph Stricker, owner of Stricker's Grove Amusement Park in Crosby Township, died Friday at his home here after a long illness. He was 79. The amusement park, near Ross, was Mr. Stricker's passion. In 1969, he moved it from its original location in Mount Healthy to its current site on Hamilton-Cleves Road. He built two of the roller coasters - the Tornado and the Teddy Bear - himself, and was the only private individual in the United States to build his own roller coasters. He loved his roller coasters, but didn't ride them, said his wife of nearly 52 years, Nancy Stricker. "He rode them when he built them, then he didn't get back on them," she said. He built several rides at the park, along with generators, a banquet hall and shelters. Mr. Stricker was born and raised in Mount Healthy, son of the late Clara Link and Henry J. Link. He attended Assumption Grade School and graduated from Mount Healthy High School in 1946. After graduating, he built homes in the Mount Healthy area. In 1954, he went to work for Procter & Gamble Co., and went to night school at the Ohio Mechanics Institute to become a licensed stationary engineer. He married Nancy Reynolds in 1955. When the two met, Mr. Stricker was 20, and she was 15. "I thought he was very handsome and very quiet," Mrs. Stricker said. Mr. Stricker was modest about his accomplishments. He had a dry sense of humor, and was always ready to help the less fortunate. He was honored by Cincinnati Magazine as an "Annual Best," and Ohio Magazine recognized the park for high safety standards. Mr. Stricker hosted many picnics for orphanages, schools and P&G retirees at the amusement park. He also hosted the Mount Healthy High School reunions at the park, and was recognized as "Alumni of the Year" for the class of 1946. He retired from P&G in 1990. CREDITS: Excerpts: Enquirer--Cincinnati, Ohio