Kenwood Cove Water Slides Stay Open For Business

Some Kansas pools and water parks have closed their water slides in response to a new state law that tightened regulations on amusement park rides. Salina’s Kenwood Cove is NOT among them.

The law, which took effect July 1, was passed after a state lawmaker’s son died last summer on the Verruckt water slide at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas.

The law defines a water slide as an amusement ride if it is at least 15 feet tall and uses water to propel someone through the ride. Erik Sartorius, head of the League of Kansas Municipalities, says the law isn’t clear whether the water on some slides propels people forward.

Salina City Manager Jason Gage tells KSAL News that because the law is so vague officials at Kenwood Cove decided to keep their slides open.

 

Gage added that Kenwood Cove is in the process of getting a permit from the Kansas Department of Labor. As part of the process the slides were inspected last week and there were no safety concerns.

Water slides have closed – at least temporarily – in Lindsborg, Chanute and the Roeland Park Aquatic Center.

The Associated Press contributed to this story