‘Parents, know where your kids are’: Security measures in place at Railroad Park for Fourth of July weekend

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Visitors heading to Railroad Park this Fourth of July weekend should expect added security measures that park leaders say are meant to keep people safe.

Alcohol, backpacks and fireworks are some of the items not allowed inside the park during the Fourth of July weekend. Children younger than 18 also must be with a parent or guardian.

Railroad Park shared the changes in a social media post Thursday night, July 2, saying bag checks and security checkpoints will run from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5.

Trisha Zyrowski, a Railroad Park guest, visited the park with her family on Friday morning, July 3.

“I just heard that it was really pretty here, a lot of scenery, and we wanted to spend some time and explore,” Zyrowski told WBRC.

Zyrowski said it was her family’s first time in Birmingham. She said they did not expect to see the road near the park blocked off and initially wondered whether they could get inside.

“We saw the fencing all around, and we were worried at first that it was going to be completely closed, and we found an entrance,” Zyrowski said. “We saw the tents that they had set up with security guards, and they asked to check my purse. It was a really smooth, seamless process, but I was surprised by it.”

Other visitors told WBRC they understand why the park increased security for the holiday weekend. One visitor said the park has been damaged during holiday weekends like this one.

Birmingham Police Chief Michael Pickett encouraged parents to keep track of their children.

“Parents, please know where your kids are,” Pickett said. “We are doing everything we can to manage things that pop up with our young people. We know school is out, and we know they want to hang out, and they want to do things. But we have to manage that, and that’s why we urge parents to assist us in knowing where their kids are.”

To learn more about the prohibited items, click here.

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