Outdoors

Rope swings are banned in Sacramento County, and can result in a fine. Here’s what to know

By Jacqueline Pinedo

Updated August 22, 2023 9:43 PM

A few days after a 23-year-old woman died from a rope swing accident at Folsom Lake, Sacramento County Regional Parks reminded residents the swings are banned in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Rope swings are prohibited along the American River and throughout the American River Parkway,” said Kenneth Casparis, Sacramento County spokesperson.

Kathryn Hoedt died on Aug. 12 after she fell about 30 feet from the rope swing onto a shoreline just north of Rattlesnake Bar, a parks spokesperson said. Hoedt worked as a morning newscast producer for KCRA.

As we reflect on the tragic accident that occurred LAST weekend at Folsom Lake, we want to take a moment to remind visitors that rope swings are dangerous and, like in State Parks, they are banned along the American River Parkway. If you see a rope swing, please Do. Not. Use. It. pic.twitter.com/36gm2lHmrA
— SacRegionalParks (@SacRegionalPark) August 16, 2023

Sacramento County rope swing rules

Sacramento County rangers and maintenance staff will cut down rope swings they come across, and anyone who is seen putting up a rope swing will be cited, Casparis said.

“Swinging from rope swings is dangerous and can result in serious injuries or death.”

Why they are dangerous

A rope swing injury case study conducted during 2002-06 from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System discovered that an estimated 700 injuries related to rope swings may occur each year.

On TikTok a search under “rope swing fails” prompts hundreds of videos of people plunging into lakes and getting injured. But those videos may not always show how serious a persons injuries can be and the possible aftermath.

According to the NEIS study, rope swing injuries included falls and entanglements. However, the most hazardous risk factors of rope tree injuries were by non-swimmers, or included shallow water and extreme falls.

Most people are injured in remote places, which makes getting help difficult, stated the study.

Regional Parks are urging residents to simply avoid using rope swings altogether.

This story was originally published August 21, 2023 at 1:19 PM with the headline "Rope swings are banned in Sacramento County, and can result in a fine. Here’s what to know."

Sacramento County rope swing rules

Why they are dangerous

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