2 of 15

No

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When our kids were small, we took them to an old amusement park about 20 miles away. It had been there for many years, and was run by a rural hometown ownership. While the rides were not too sophisticated, the food was great and the park was attended mostly by families.

However, about 15 years after we had been regularly visiting the park every summer, and when our kids were just about completing high school, there were beginning to be some disturbing changes. Along with families, many large groups of teenagers began using the park without their parents. While most were well behaved, there was a growing presence of gangs. Incidents of fights, which had been rare, now became frequent.

On our final visit ... and I decided it was certainly to be our final visit ... we noticed that the quality of the food had deteriorated, while the prices had gone much higher. The park maintenance seemed to be deteriorating. Several nearby incidents, including two gang fights, were unsettling.

Once, while standing next to the ride operator while my kids were on a ferris wheel, I noticed he and a friend were smoking pot. They were laughing and not paying any attention to the kids on the ride. Several weeks later we heard that the same ride had been involved in an accident, which resulted in several injuries to small children.

To answer the debate question, I would give a general YES to rides at major amusement parks, such as Disney and Six Flags, but a NO to the small, rural parks and traveling carnivals with rides. The big parks are usually more safety-conscious, and are regulated by both local and national inspection organizations. However, just a few days ago, there was a terrible accident at a Six Flags park, resulting in a girl losing her feet. No amusement parks are absolutely safe.

Whatever kind of park you attend with your family, every member must always be aware of any potential safety hazards or other conditions, such as water and food cleanliness. Children younger than teens should never be left alone under any circumstances. Amusement parks are there for your enjoyment, but visitors have the responsibility of using them safely.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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