The beloved West Mifflin amusement park, Kennywood, has made new changes for the 2021 riding season regarding COVID-19 and other safety issues.

Opening in 1899, Kennywood has been entertaining guests of all ages. Starting off as a trolley park attraction with only a carousel, casino hall, and dance pavilion, Kennywood added its first roller coaster, the Figure Eight Toboggan, in 1902. 

The creation of the Jack Rabbit in 1920 brought Kennywood’s name to fame as it’s one of the oldest functioning roller coasters in the world. Many popular coasters were added later, changing the park entirely to create the atmosphere the current generation is accustomed to.

Kennywood has undergone many changes throughout its 122 years, and that won’t stop in 2021. 

In order to create a more welcoming environment, Kennywood will be implementing a new policy requiring all guests under 18 to have an adult with them to remain in the park after 4 p.m. The adults must have appropriate identification and must be over 21. The adult simply has to check in with them and remain in the park while the minor is there, but they don’t need to be hovering over them throughout the visit. 

The new rule is to be enforced for not only the regular riding season but also the Phantom Fright Night and Holiday Lights specials. 

The chaperone rule has been in the works for a handful of years, but after an incident occurred where roughly 150 people were ejected from the park, officials decided it was time to seriously put the rule into action.

Kennywood is open at 75% capacity, and masks and social distancing are still being enforced and encouraged for the time being. Hand sanitizer will be placed throughout the park. Like 2020, not all of the rides will be open.