Ohio's latest nature experience is not for the faint of heart – unless you like your hikes with a side of vertigo. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources just cut the ribbon on the Falls Edge Glass Walkway at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a 137-foot-long pedestrian bridge made of structural-grade glass, boasting an unimpeded view of the park’s rugged gorge.
Now, you might be asking, why build a bridge out of glass, well it's not just for the Instagram crowd, the ODNR says it’s a "perfect blend of innovation and conservation," by giving visitors an unforgettable experience while protecting the ecosystems below, but let's be real – it's also about that perfect shot of your shoes seeming to float 50 feet above the Sylvan Creek. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' official news release, this new S-shaped walkway lets you peer straight down to the water and ends dramatically just before Minnehaha Falls.
And while ODNR Director Mary Mertz might wax poetic about the blend of human ingenuity and mother nature's splendor, saying through ODNR official news release, "The Falls Edge Glass Walkway provides visitors with an unforgettable view of this beautiful park while helping us protect the delicate ecosystems and remarkable geology that make Nelson-Kennedy Ledges so special," most visitors are likely more focused on the unique adrenaline rush and photo ops the glass walkway promises – not to mention the undeniable cool factor of saying you've walked on air.
Of course – safety nuts rest easy – they're not going to let you on this thing if it was not rigorously tested, the structure has been designed to bear loads far beyond what the Sunday-funday crowd is going to throw at it but yeah, the idea of ambling above a deep gorge is still going to be a 'nope' for some. So, for those with a fear of heights, you might want to stick to the good old-fashioned dirt trails, but for the rest of us thrill-seekers and view-lovers, the Falls Edge Glass Walkway is ready to give you that fresh perspective on nature the ODNR is so keen on serving up.
