Fights force second amusement park in a week to close early, Oregon officials say

A second U.S. amusement park in a week has been forced to close early after fights broke out, Oregon officials reported.

Oaks Amusement Park in Portland closed one hour early Friday, July 22, after a “unruly behavior and altercations” between guests, the park reported on Facebook.

“This behavior did not align with our mission, and was not the experience we want our guests to have,” the park said.

The park reopened Saturday, KGW reported.

Portland police told KATU they responded to at least one fight involving six teens at the park and also heard rumors of someone planning to “shoot up” the park.

The closure came less than a week after the Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park shut down three hours early Saturday, July 16, after fights between teens, McClatchy News reported.

A few days later, the park announced a new policy requiring visitors younger than 18 years old to have an adult chaperone on Fridays and Saturdays.

Oaks Amusement Park, which opened in 1905, is one of the oldest operating amusement parks in the United States. The 44-acre park features 24 rides and other attractions.

This story was originally published July 24, 2022 at 10:28 AM with the headline "Fights force second amusement park in a week to close early, Oregon officials say."