Capilano Suspension Bridge
The Capilano Suspension Bridge is a free-swinging rope bridge in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was first built in 1888-1889 and spans the Capilano River today in 70 meters height with an extension of 136 meters (446 feet). It belongs to a 11 -acre private park that annually around 800,000 visitors from all over the world attracts as part of the tourist attractions around Vancouver. The bridge is easily and quickly over the Lions Gate Bridge to reach from Downtown Vancouver.
History
The Scottish engineer George Grant Mackay ( born September 26, 1827 in Inverness, Scotland, † 1893) was after his move to Canada in 1888 commissioner of the urban parks of Vancouver. In this role, he was responsible as a municipal recreation area, among other things for the rededication of the site of present-day Stanley Park. At the same time he was the founder of the city of Vernon in the Okanagan Valley, where he bought up land and thus acted.
On both sides of the Capilano River Mackay acquired 24 square kilometers thick forest where he built a cabin right on the steep western edge of the canyon. Order to simplify the access to this cottage from the eastern edge of the canyon from significantly, he harnessed with the help of two local Indians and draft horses a rope bridge made of cedar planks and ropes made of hemp across the river. The Indians named this bridge because of it caused when wind noise as "Laughing Bridge" ( laughing bridge). Thanks to the cable-stayed bridge the hut soon became a popular tourist destination. In 1903, ten years after Mackay's death, the rope made of hemp was replaced by a steel cable.
1910 Edward Mahon purchased the bridge and the surrounding area. In the following year he had a block house built of cedar logs, which acted as teahouse. In 1914, he reinforced the bridge with additional steel cables in order to improve their stability.
1935 bought "Mac" MacEachran the property to the rope bridge. He invited Indians of the area to build their totem poles within the park grounds, and so to give this its own character. This was the now probably the largest private collection of Native American totem poles, which is open to the public.
1945 sold to Henri MacEachran Aubeneau, which in turn, however, as early as 1953 to Rae Mitchell resold the area.
The Capilano River runs north to south through the Coast Mountains of British Columbia and flows in North Vancouver over Stanley Park to Burrard Inlet. The Capilano River is one of the three resources that make up the Greater Vancouver draws its drinking water. To this end, in 1954 the Cleveland Dam was built.
Mitchell began a world -scale marketing of the Capilano Suspension Bridge. In 1956, the bridge was completely rebuilt within five days in order to ensure their durability and safety. With this objective, the ends of the steel ropes were cast on both sides of the canyon in just under 12 tons of concrete. In addition, Mitchell left the forest trails on the west side of the bridge to expand and converted the former tea house on the east side into a gift shop with mostly handicraft articles of the Native Americans. After Mitchell had retired for reasons of age out of business, revenue eased greatly. The commercial park was initially characterized for years before an uncertain future.
In 1983 the complex was sold to Nancy Stibbard. Since then, the number of visitors increased again steadily. 2004, the so-called Treetops Adventures were opened, seven rope bridges up to 30 meters above the forest floor, between ancient giant Douglas fir trees on the west side of the canyon. In 2011, the park has been enriched by a further attraction, the Cliff Walk. Here is a path made of steel, wood and glass partly on the steep slope above the trees away. The most striking feature in a semicircle about 5 meters away from the cliff.
For sightseeing trips with limited time quota, the local highlights Capilano Suspension Bridge, Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge and Grouse Mountain can be good together.
Events
The park management has interested among other ecologically oriented rainforest tours for children, guided tours through the woods where the permanent exhibition " Living Forest " ( Living Forest ), performances of Indian groups with dance, masks, storytelling, seasonal highlights and decorations.
Events
In the winter of 2006 fell during a heavy snowstorm, a 300 year old Douglas fir against or on the west side of the rope bridge. As a result, the bridge was closed for some time to examine it for damage and make repairs. On June 2, 2012, a man was killed when he fell on the Cliff Walk 60 meters deep, after he had left the Walk to climb the rock wall.
Media
The Capilano Suspension Bridge was seen in a number of different television series, including MacGyver, Sliders, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven.