Fairfax County
Puts The Kibosh On 'Kite Fighting'
by John Fields
The Fairfax County Park Authority has recently taken a stand against the dangerous game of kite fighting, which poses significant risks to people, wildlife, and park infrastructure. Kite fighting involves attempting to cut another player’s kite line. However, the park authority has observed an increase in reports of kite fighting incidents causing harm to wildlife, plants, and maintenance equipment within Fairfax County parks.
Safety concerns arise from the use of super-sharp string in kite fighting. Players often replace regular kite string with materials such as metal filament, piano wire, fishing line, or even line coated with glass fragments. These sharpened strings can cause serious injuries when used to
attack and cut opponents’ kite lines. Reports from other lands indicate that, tragically, som people at times have been hurt by sharp kite string.
Evidence of sharpened kite string has been discovered tangled in trees, low brush, trails, water, and green spaces throughout Fairfax County parks. When kite lines are cut, the kites continue to fly, trailing long lines of hazardous sharpened string behind them. Unfortunately, these kites and string are often not properly disposed of, posing a threat to both humans and animals.
Furthermore, the sharp kite string can get entangled in park maintenance equipment, such as mowers, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential damage to the equipment.
To address this issue, the park authority is taking action. Those engaging in kite fighting games will be asked to cease their activities in Fairfax County parks. Individuals who refuse to comply or repeatedly violate the ban may face park bans themselves.
To report instances of kite fighting, residents can contact the Fairfax County Police Department at 703-691-2131. By working together to raise awareness and discourage this dangerous activity, we can ensure the safety of our community, protect wildlife, and preserve the beauty of our parks.
Let us all play our part in promoting responsible and safe recreational activities, allowing everyone to enjoy the parks while preserving their natural beauty.