Kennywood has reopened to guests after an unprecedented air quality emergency forced the historic Pennsylvania amusement park to suspend operations. The park confirmed it would welcome visitors again from 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, as conditions improved following a day of hazardous smoke that blanketed the Pittsburgh region.
The closure was not caused by severe weather or a technical issue, but by deteriorating air quality linked to smoke drifting south from the ongoing Canadian wildfires. It marked one of the rare occasions in Kennywood’s history that the park was forced to close because the air itself was considered unsafe.
Hazardous Air Conditions
Conditions worsened rapidly throughout Thursday, prompting Kennywood to close early that evening. By Friday morning, air quality had deteriorated even further, leading park management to keep the gates closed for the entire day.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Purple Air Quality Alert for parts of western Pennsylvania, the highest level on the state’s air quality warning system. At that level, pollution poses health risks to everyone, not just vulnerable groups such as children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
With thousands of guests and employees spending long periods outdoors, the park determined that remaining closed was the safest option.
Not the Only Park Affected
Kennywood was one of several amusement parks forced to adjust operations as wildfire smoke spread across large areas of the northeastern United States.
Other Pennsylvania attractions, including Idlewild & SoakZone, Dutch Wonderland, Sandcastle, Waldameer & Water World and DelGrosso’s Park, also temporarily suspended operations due to the hazardous conditions. The smoke even affected parks farther west, with Six Flags Great America near Chicago also experiencing disruptions.
The widespread closures highlighted just how extensive the smoke plume had become, stretching hundreds of miles from the Canadian wildfires.
Improving Conditions Allow Reopening
Weather conditions improved overnight as shifting winds and rainfall helped disperse much of the smoke across western Pennsylvania. Air quality readings gradually returned to safer levels, allowing Kennywood to announce that it would reopen at noon on Saturday while continuing to monitor conditions.
Guests requiring assistance with tickets affected by the closure have been advised to contact the park’s guest services team.
Wildfire Smoke Becoming a Growing Challenge
While amusement parks are accustomed to dealing with thunderstorms, extreme heat and high winds, closures caused by wildfire smoke remain relatively uncommon. However, in recent years, smoke from increasingly intense wildfire seasons has disrupted outdoor attractions, sporting events and tourism across North America.
As climate conditions continue to contribute to larger and longer-lasting wildfire seasons, air quality has become another factor that parks may need to monitor more closely. Kennywood’s temporary closure serves as another reminder that environmental conditions far beyond a park’s borders can now have a direct impact on daily operations.
ThemeParkNews.org posts daily news and updates about theme parks worldwide. Follow us on Facebook.
Share this article:
