The suspension foot bridge, sometimes called the swinging bridge, crosses the Blue River in Swope Park about a mile and a half east of the park's main entrance. It was completed Oct. 16, 1907, at a cost of $6,000. It is suspended by cables from a steel superstructure 48 feet above the river and is 277 feet in length. A Kansas City Journal story written at the time the bridge was built stated: The purpose of the bridge is to connect the proposed athletic field with the park. The bridge and field are practically inaccessible on account of a rank growth of weeds and underbrush. This will be cleaned out and possibly at the next meeting of the board of park commissioners, contracts will be let for the preparation of the athletic field, so that it will be in readiness for golf, tennis and baseball players next spring. Visitors to the park in those days went by horse and buggy or used the Swope Park street car line. The end of the street car line was about a block southeast of the main shelter house. The athletic field and golf course were completed as planned, but those who use them today can drive their cars to reach them. The bridge still spans the river and was not damaged in the recent flood. Park visitors using it today include those walking to the Shirling Bird Sanctuary. Kansas City Times, October 1, 1977.
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