Summer 2022 - Sequoia Park: Eureka's 115-year-old gem
There are three previously published articles about Sequoia Park.
HH 55-2, Summer 2007, “Sequoia Park, 1907-2007”
HH 23-1, January-February 1975, “Bart” Glatt - Sequoia Park” by Robert H. Madsen
HH 18-5, September-October 1970, “Beautiful Sequoia Park” a reprint from an editorial published in the Humboldt Standard on August 7, 1916.
Here are some additional snippets from the City of Eureka!
The Redwood Sky Walk’s ascent ramp is 360 feet, just shy of the height of the tallest known living coastal redwood (~380 feet).
At the highest point, the Redwood Sky Walk reaches over 100 feet above the forest floor. Platforms will sit about 1/3 of the way up the in-city old-growth and mature second-growth redwood grove. The upper canopy of these trees reaches approximately 250 feet.
The Redwood Sky Walk is just under 1/4 mile to the end and back (1,104 linear feet), stretched out across a network of suspended bridges that reach across and through old-growth and mature secondgrowth redwood trees. It is the longest sky walk in the western United States.
The adventure leg is 369 feet long and 36 inches wide with square open mesh decking. Though it is safe, the user will feel more exposed to the natural surroundings and more aware of their height, which will reach 100 feet above the forest floor. The adventure leg bridges are also apt to sway in minor winds, intentionally more than the ADA bridges, adding to the excitement. Even without a notable breeze, visitors are likely to feel themselves, as well as others, moving across the bridges.
The Redwood Sky Walk is made from fabricated aluminum for bridges and platforms and has the same Dynaplank surface for walking. Railings are made from cable and metal mesh panels.
The Ascent Ramp and Launch Deck are wood structures, with concrete foundations, and Dynaplank (a walkable tread surface that is non-slip and highly durable). The posts and handrails on the structure are redwood and metal panels are infilled between posts.
All material choices were made for safety, longevity, and ease of maintenance.
The Redwood Sky Walk has 3.5 – 4 feet high guardrails, designed to maximize visitor safety and minimize the ability of children to climb or put their feet into the netting or metal panels. Because this is not an adventure course, no harnesses and helmets will be required.
The Ascent Ramp and Launch Deck were designed with both earthquakes and high winds in mind. The structural members were upsized to look and feel much more substantial, as well as to perform better in seismic and wind events. All structures are built to code and inspected regularly.
Tree platforms and bridges are designed and constructed using a factor of safety beyond the structural capacity of the trees. Additional tree attachments have been added to increase safety.
The bridges and platforms that will allow visitors to traverse the Redwood Sky Walk are suspended from the trees themselves without any impact to the forest floor below. The technique and mechanics of these attachments have been designed specifically to ensure minimal impact on the trees to which they are anchored to add strength over time and provide room for them to continue to grow unimpeded.
The Redwood Sky Walk is accessible only through the Sequoia Park Zoo. The experience is intentionally integrated and complements the natural environment, current animal exhibits, and nature play areas.
You can learn more about the Sequoia Park Zoo and the Redwood Skywalk at the following links!
