PARADISE PARK’S POWDER WORKS BRIDGE MAY BE THE NEXT SPOT IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY TO MAKE IT ON TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE’S LISTING OF NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARKS. RESIDENT SUPPORT AND A UNANIMOUS VOTE BY THE PARK’S MASONIC BOARD THIS WEEKEND ALLOWS THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO FORMALLY CONSIDER THE BRIDGE. LOCATED IN SANTA CRUZ ON THE EAST BANK OF THE SAN LORENZO RIVER, THE 180-FOOT BRIDGE WAS BUILT IN 1872 AND IS THE ONLY WOODEN SMITH TRUSS ON THE WEST COAST AND THE ONLY ONE STILL IN REGULAR USE. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT TAKE OVER CONTROL OF THE BRIDGE, BUT THE DISTINCTION COULD MAKE THE BRIDGE ELIGIBLE FOR RESTORATION FUNDING.
THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK’S LOOFF CAROUSEL AND THE GIANT DIPPER ROLLERCOASTER ARE THE OTHER TWO LOCATIONS DESIGNATED IN THE COUNTY.
