Proposed Route on Oregon Bridge
The city of Redmond in Oregon might allow climbers to turn a decommissioned bridge into a climbing wall. The Maple Avenue Bridge spans over the Dry Canyon recreational area. There are bridge over rivers and urban overpasses, but climbing over a city park might be a new concept.
Annie McVay, Redmond parks and administration division manager, and climber Ian Caldwell presented the idea to the Redmond Parks Commission and it unanimously voted to O.K. the project.
Caldwell is a Smith Rock regular and has been climbing there for more than 10 years.
“There’s plenty of vertical climbing at Smith Rock, and people come from all over the world for it, but there’s nothing like this,” he said. An attraction such as this has the potential to put Redmond on the map and bring in a new demographic of visitors who will frequent local businesses, he added.
The 20-metre concrete, three-arch bridge, would have one sport route initially.
“I think it’s an amazing opportunity to develop a new recreational draw in Redmond and a new way for our community to get recognition,” said McVay. “I don’t think I’ll have any trouble raising money for the materials,” said Caldwell.
The next steps would involve formation of a nonprofit or a partnership with the Redmond Parks Foundation, Caldwell said, then fundraising and installation of bolts and holds.
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