UPDATE 3/22/2026
I drove down to Coney Island to get a view of the work going on. From the Ohio River trail that runs along Kellogg Avenue, it is easy to see the progress.
The steel superstructure for the new Farmer Music Center stage is in place, now towering over the nearby grove. Lake Como is torn up, as the lakebed was used for land fill to elevate the new amphitheatre to protect it better from the floods by the Ohio River. When the project is complete, Lake Como will be filled back up with water and will be deeper than before.
Farmer Music Center is currently being built on the site if the West parking lot where the Christmas Nights of Lights drive thru attraction was set up and the former athletic field behind Moonlite Gardens. To make up for lost parking, construction crews are beginning to prep the area formerly known as Sunlite Pool to be paved over with new spaces.
A Surprise Casualty
Last June, during Summerfair, I captured some photos around the former park of the work beginning to take form. One of the first things that caught my attention was the former LaRosa's Pizzeria at the East end of the park near PNC Pavillion. During Summerfair 2024, the building was open for refreshments as well as for restrooms. For the 2025 event, the building was closed off and work was being done inside. All signs pointed to an interior renovation. However, upon arriving this afternoon to view the construction, I made an unfortunate discovery; the building had been demolished.
The quaint little building had stood at the park since 1967, starting its life as a souvenir shop before becoming the home of a Cincinnati's staple fare during the "modern era." From 1968 to 1971, it neighbored the Eyerly Monster, set to make its return at Kings Island in 2026.
The unassuming structure was a testament to the Wachs era of the park, showcasing detail and charming beauty even if it was just to put a roof over guests heads. The coolest thing about the it is how unchanged it was after 52 years of redevelopment on the property following the opening of Kings Island:
The above image with Bingo from The Banana Splits could almost be seamlessly recreated. Now it's nothing but a burning memory, reduced unceremoniously to a heap of rubble.
The rest of the pre-Kings Island buildings are still standing with no visible signs that they will be next. From a recent drone video on YouTube, the North wing of Moonlite Gardens has received an air conditioning unit, which is a positive sign of long term plans for the historic dance hall. However, the demolition of Coney LaRosa's, the youngest building on the property not counting the amphitheaters, is an unfortunate loss for those who love old pieces of amusement park history.