While we are all confined in our homes or so we should be, we’ll take a look at the weekly trip that keeps us close in the lower mainland, without venturing too far away.
We are told to maintain 3 feet or 1 meter apart from each other, we can make plans and have a look at what the Capilano Suspension Bridge has to offer when all this subsides and life gets back to normal.
Given all the media reports coming out of Victoria and the daily/weekly address by BC Premier John Horgan the Provincial Government would like you to spend your time visiting our most beautiful province
Let’s first mention that it should not be confused with a swing bridge and a swing bridge is known as the oldest type of suspension bridge that saw the first type reportedly build in the early 1800’
The bridge is located on British Columbia’s West Coast located in the district of North Vancouver.
It was originally built by Scottish engineer and park commissioner George Mackay in 1889 using cedar planks and hemp ropes.
In 1919 it was purchased by Edward Mahon, but it should be noted that in 1903 the bridge was replaced with a wire cable bridge.
It again changed ownership in 1935 when Mac MacEachran purchased it and requested the local native persons in the area to place their totem poles in the park so as to add a native theme.
The bridge was “flipped” again in 1945 and sold to Henri Aubeneau who owned it until 1983, but it was Aubeneau who had it rebuilt (in full) in 1956.
In 1983 the bridge was purchased by Nancy Stibbard who has undertaken changes adding Treetop Adventures suppending seven footbridges on the west side of the canyon which formed a walkway some 98 ft. (30 metres) above the floor of the forest below.
The bridge has been featured in such shows as The Crow, Stairway To Heaven, MacGyver and Sliders which seemed to make the bridge even more attractive to visitors.
Today’s bridge is simply a steel footbridge overtop of the Capilano River with a span of 140 m offering a breath-taking view to year round visitors who are not faint of heart.
It has not been without incident that caused concern to the public and the police alike as in 1999 a Woman dropped her 18-month old child with Down Syndrome off the bridge indicating that she had stumbled.
Nature took its toll on the bridge in 2006 when a 300-year old Douglas Fir fell over the west end of the bridge causing it to be closed for a period of time.
Other situations have caused negative PR for the bridge as in 2010 a school teenager climbed over the rail that caused him to fall over 30 metres (98 ft) from a fenced platform
The winter months offer a “Winter Lights Festival” which operates from November 22nd to January 26th and open from 11 am to 9 pm allow the visitors to capture the wonderment and amazement of the hundred of thousands of lights.
The 250 Douglas Firs reach up to 110ft and offer viewing platforms and reportedly being the world’s largest Christmas Trees in the world, so they mention.
Strollers are NOT permitted on the attractions and please note that if you have a small infant of BABY – THEY SHOULD BE CARRIED AT ALL TIMES!!!!
If you attend this wonderment of delight dress to weather conditions and wear proper footwear so as not to be a liability and take as many pictures as you want – they are fee for the taking.
While the bridge has seen situations out of the control of the operators, it’s fair to say that if you follow the rules set out at the bridge – you won’t put yourself in harm’s way!!
Doesn’t seem like such a hard request to make – DOES IT!!!!
