Kennywood’s classic Turtle ride to shut down for rebuild

There are only a few days left to ride The Turtle at Kennywood this season.

Park officials said that after 96 years in operation, the ride’s center foundation needs to be replaced.

The Turtle’s last day of the season will be Sunday.

“It’s time,” said Gary Miller, the project manager. “We need to disassemble the the ride itself, jackhammer up the existing foundation and dig down to the bedrock.”

Once they reach the bedrock, Miller and his team will completely reconstruct the centerpiece.

“We’ll mount the rebar cage into the bedrock, then rebuild the foundation,” Miller said. “We’ll also run new wiring from the control booth to the new foundation. Operationally, nothing changes.”

The Turtle will close for the season at the end of the day this Sunday, August 20, for an important preservation project. The fan-favorite family ride will return in 2024! Learn more, then join us this week for your last Turtle rides of the season: https://t.co/i86F2yjf3Q

— Kennywood (@Kenny_Kangaroo) August 14, 2023

The Turtle debuted in 1927. It was first called the Tumble Bug, which was the general name for the ride. It was manufactured in Beaver Falls and updated in 1948 to receive a new set of cars and the turtle theme it’s known for today.

Kennywood’s Turtle is the last operating ride of its kind, according to park officials. They said Kennywood is committed to preserving the ride, and the scheduled maintenance work is essential for that preservation.

Because the ride’s manufacturer is “long-defunct,” Kennywood officials said, the project will be completed by the park’s in-house team of carpenters, maintenance technicians and electricians.

Park officials said crews will need to disassemble most of the ride and dig about 15 feet underground. It will be easier for them to do such work now before the ground freezes during the winter months, Kennywood officials said in a statement.