113 – Glen Oak Park Suspension Bridge
Unlucky #13 proved to be true with the remaining Arbor being torn down, so how about Unlucky #113? It’s been fenced off for as long as I can remember and it has been strongly hinted that it’s coming down; probably just waiting to budget the money to pay a demolition crew after a few more boards to fall off so they can justify it. Of course they’ve got that pesky Parapet at the Lagoon to get rid of first.
I found two references to the bridge in the book “The Grandest Views: History of PPD”. The first says it is a connecting piece between the log cabin and picnic grounds. The second is a caption for a photo from 1902 that says “The lily pond and suspension bridge at Glen Oak were popular attractions. The bridge, though needing some repairs through the years, is still standing behind the zoo”
I know it’ll never happen, but wouldn’t it be nice if they could repair it and somehow incorporate it with the new zoo?
December 18th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
A pedestrian bridge in Glen Oak Park … is this in that section that’s always closed to the public?
m.
December 19th, 2006 at 9:03 am
I’ve wondered what that darn bridge looks like up close. I’ve been below it dozens of times – and never once ventured up there to actually look.
Thank goodness someone did it for me…
December 19th, 2006 at 2:09 pm
You all know where I’m going with this one, don’t you?
December 19th, 2006 at 2:34 pm
Maybe the park district will relocate the bridge to Prospect so the little kiddies won’t have to cross the busy street on their way to the new Glen Oak School.
This bridge was great for taking stealth tinkles from back in the days when doing such things were “childish fun” and not a felony.
December 19th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
Thats the zoo’s lion exhibit in the background isn’t it?
December 19th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Yep Ryan.
The bridge was part of a railroad that ran thru the park if memory serves me. Another abandoned feature.
“Build it, and whether they come or not, we’ll evenutallly forget about it.” – PPD
December 20th, 2006 at 12:10 am
Another “beautiful element of Glen Oak Park that will soon be demolished”? Is that where you’re going. Argh.
December 20th, 2006 at 12:16 am
Ok, P.I., I’ll take a shot at where you are going. There are areas in the park that always seem to be off limits or closed to the public. Why? Who knows. If it is useless and unaccessible to the community, why not put the new Glen Oak School THERE!!?? Since the public can’t use it anyway….
December 22nd, 2006 at 5:51 pm
I was under the impression that this is one of the only if not the only pedestrian bridge of its kind left in the USA. Also, that this bridge was to be torn down for a new and improved vehicular bridge as part of the zoo expansion….. Anyone know for sure??
Gary did the PPD get all their ducks in a row to get a zoning sign-off to get a building permit for the zoo?