Large Fight At Kennywood, Started In Kiddieland, At Least 4 Injuries:

http://m.wpxi.com/news/news/local/breaking-large-fight-reported-kennywood/nk7yn/#__federated=1

Park closed early:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/05/02/closes-Kennywood-early/stories/201505020144

Park says not a 'riot' as some reports had indicated:

http://triblive.com/mobile/8293283-96/kennywood-park-according

Kennywood will be closed today.

One point that most of the media reports have been unclear about, the park has always been scheduled to be closed to the public today (Sunday).  That particular fact has nothing to do this incident.

Lifetime ban all involved and move on.

Another park where the metal detectors at the entrance aren't just for show. We see why now.

I considered registering for yesterday's GOCC event at Kennywood, but I decided that I'd rather visit later in the season.

 

It's good to see that this didn't end worse than it did.

 Making our first trip there in June, I hope it's not an ongoing concern. 

More:

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/05/02/police-respond-to-reported-fight-at-kennywood-park/

Hmmmm.

An influx of teenagers coming into the park around 8:45 p.m.?

 

I don't know about everyone else, but why would you go to the park at 8:45? Unless you had intentions of participating in enjoying the park experience, you wouldn't- especially teenagers. It sounds to me, if it was accurate that they entered the park around 8:45, that someone was looking for trouble.

8:45 at night at a park that is "usually open until 10PM" according to the park's website? What exactly did these teenagers expect to accomplish in a little over an hour?

It is for this reason many of us held our breaths when Kennywood started offering season passes.

For many, many, many years they were not available.

The park is in, to be nice about it, a rough and tumble neighborhood.

Another park that doesn't equate offering season passes with problems due to neighborhood clientele it seems. It makes me glad KI is located in a fairly safe neighborhood (though I've heard that Haunt season can bring out entirely different patrons).

I saw someone on their Facebook page post a picture of Cedar Point,  yeah okay but this is not the same thing like what happened at Cedar Point...

I was in the middle of one of these at Magic Mountain back in the 90s. My mother and I were visiting old friends and she reluctantly went along for thr ride to Magic Mountain. We were in the games area near where Riddler's Revenge is located. There were several kids arguing with a games attendant and security interveneved. Within a few minutes local police were there. As the local police proceeded to handcuff the kids, bystander kids started yelling obscenities at the police and began to gather around. I told mom it was time to leave. Many of you will know how far this is from the main gate. ( It is almost equivalent to walking from The Beast to the front gate.) We didnt stop for anything but when we got to the front gate we were herded by armed swat guards to the gate nearest the water park. The main plaza was occupied by hundreds of kids yelling and screaming at the gaurds about injustice. As we left in groups of about 20 we were hustled behind lines of armed swat gaurds past the tram area to behind Colossus. They allowed us exit through the employee gate. It was a pretty tense situation. When we told our family friend about it he said that stuff doesnt usually happen till summer....lucky us...

See also Six Flags America last summer. Kings Dominion's parking lot several times. Elitch Gardens in Denver...

8:45 at night at a park that is "usually open until 10PM" according to the park's website? What exactly did these teenagers expect to accomplish in a little over an hour?

To be fair, I myself have walked into Kings Island at 9:30 specifically for the purpose of getting in a quick Beast night ride and going home...

^^ Now that's dedication!

8:45 at night at a park that is "usually open until 10PM" according to the park's website? What exactly did these teenagers expect to accomplish in a little over an hour?

To be fair, I myself have walked into Kings Island at 9:30 specifically for the purpose of getting in a quick Beast night ride and going home...

I wish I lived close enough to do that.

I've done that before. Last year I did a quick trip just for Banshee or Beast.

With less things to do for youth I wouldn't be surprised if eventually season passes go away or significantly increased in prices for people to avoid the summer babysitter problem.

But maybe we should INCREASE season pass sales and babysitting services... Remember the advice of that Louisville Councilman who told us that amusement parks like this offer a great alternative for kids who would otherwise be breaking into cars? Because that's who we want walking around unattended in family amusement parks: teenagers who, if they had their way, would be breaking into cars instead.

Should be interesting to watch how Kennywood responds to this potential ongoing issue.  Could an entry time cutoff be in the future?

 

Then again I am not sure who wants to be leaving a park in that neighborhood around 10pm anyways?

But maybe we should INCREASE season pass sales and babysitting services... Remember the advice of that Louisville Councilman who told us that amusement parks like this offer a great alternative for kids who would otherwise be breaking into cars? Because that's who we want walking around unattended in family amusement parks: teenagers who, if they had their way, would be breaking into cars instead.

 

I mean I get what the councilman was saying, to a point.  If I didnt have anything else to do other than my own devices when I was a youth, I probably would have caused trouble for lots of people.  A bored teenager is a destructive teenager.  Either destructive in the literal blow things up sense, or take things apart sense.  For many kids and families, the parks offer an outlet to enjoy the summer in a way they would never be able to do (water park and rides). 

On the flip side, if you raised the price of a pass to be equal to 5 or 6 visits, how many people would buy them?  Many purchase a pass because its so cheap and you expect to visit the park 3-4 times and have it paid off.  If you dont plan on going 7 or 8 times, then a pass isnt worth it....

Security review coming:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/south/2015/05/04/Kennywood-officials-will-look-for-ways-to-prevent-disruptive-behavior/stories/201505040053

I had considered going as part of Great Ohio's Spring Fling.  Any word on what happened with that event once the park closed early?

Just got this email:

 

I've only been to Kennywood twice, but on those two visits I never felt unsafe.  Stopping for gas at the gas station down the street on the other hand... I didn't even bother filling up all the way and got back in the car quickly!

 

I love Kennywood.  It's a classic park with big time thrill rides thrown in.  Sad to see something like this happened and I hope for the best for them in the future!

I've only been to Kennywood twice, but on those two visits I never felt unsafe.  Stopping for gas at the gas station down the street on the other hand... I didn't even bother filling up all the way and got back in the car quickly!

 

I love Kennywood.  It's a classic park with big time thrill rides thrown in.  Sad to see something like this happened and I hope for the best for them in the future!

You're making me think of just about any trip to the Cincinnati Zoo. Love the zoo, hate the neighborhood.

The Zoo is in a far, far better neighborhood than is Kennywood.

Then I'll never go to Kennywood, doubt I am missing out on much anyway. I refuse to go to the Zoo without a male friend with me.

^I will gladly escort you to Kennywood.  It's a wonderful park that is definitely worth visiting!

The Cincinnati Zoo is not that bad though.  Just take some normal precautions of putting yourself in a good spot at all times.  My wife makes sure she doesnt have to stop at any gas stations down around the zoo.  SHe parks inside their gates and walks across their walkway into the zoo....

 

 

I need to go to Kennywood.  My wife said its a good park.