In 1901, Annie Taylor hopped in a wooden barrel and plunged 165-feet over Horseshoe Falls, launching one of the more interactive, adventurous, and dangerous ways to experience the torrential power of the Niagara River. If all goes according to plan, thrill-seekers will soon have a chance to get a less risky adrenalin fix once zip lines are added to the Niagara Falls State Park, a development currently in the planning stages.
Location of proposed zip line at the Grand View Marketplace, opposite the American Falls.
Ontario recently gave the green light to the Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) and Niagara Adventure Excursions to explore the installation of a new zip line attraction and aerial adventure course at the Grand View Marketplace and Thompson Point. The NPC said more studies would be needed before a final operating agreement is signed and construction can begin.
“These two new attractions are in keeping with Niagara Park’s other natural attractions and provide another unique way to interpret the falls, the Niagara Gorge and all the lands along the Niagara Parkway, without impacting views or access enjoyed by other visitors to the falls,” said NPC chair Janice Thomson.
Through on open-bid process, Niagara Adventure Excursions, based in Niagara Falls, was awarded the contract. The firm will work with WildPlay Element Parks, of Victoria, B.C., in building and operating the attractions. WildPlay has successfully developed five aerial adventure parks and zip lines in western Canada and has provided additional consulting expertise to outdoor adventure parks across North America and the Caribbean.
