Point Pleasant Couple Installs Zipline Across the Canal

Felicity Walker lives east of the Point Pleasant Canal in the Borough. Her parents live on the west side of the canal. Their houses are less than a half-mile apart, but to get to each other's homes they have to drive or walk about two miles. "It's so frustrating," said Walker. "If the canal wasn't there it would be like walking down the street to see my family. Instead, I have to walk all the way to either the 88 or Lovelandtown Bridges and once I'm on the other side, it's still about another mile. I realize it's not all that far, but it's such a nuisance to drive there and it's too far for my parents to walk."

Felicity and her husband, Alan, have gone so far as to petition the mayor to build a pedestrian bridge. They argued that it would encourage more walking and reduce traffic. The mayor's assistant, Holden DeLine sent a response to the Walkers that simply said, "Are you kidding?" DeLine explains that he and the mayor felt the request didn't deserve more of a response than that. "They're out of their minds," said DeLine. "You have any idea how much it would cost to build a pedestrian bridge high enough that it doesn't block boat traffic? And other than the Walkers, who would use it? Maybe a dozen people in the whole town. If the Walkers don't want to drive or walk to the other side, I suggest they take an Uber."

The Walkers were disappointed, but not deterred. It was Felicity who came up with the idea that they could just zipline across the canal. "Our house is right along the canal and the house directly opposite ours on the other side belongs to my uncle. He didn't have a problem with our project." They hired a contractor to build twenty foot tall towers on each side of the canal. Then they strung the zipline from one side to the other. "We waited until there was no traffic on the canal," said Alan Walker. "We borrowed a boat and brought the line across. After that, we just secured it to the towers."

Only one line has been put in place so the Walkers can test the system. Eventually they plan to install a second line to allow for round trips. They say they have even accounted for keeping the lines clear of boats. "Both lines are secured to an adjustable boom system on each side," said Alan Walker, "When not in use, we can elevate the lines over 30 feet above the canal. That should be high enough for any boat to get through, except maybe a battleship."

"I've tested the line at least a half dozen times," said Felicity Walker. "Last time, I even brought a lasagna to my parents. The trip was so quick, the food was still hot when I got there! And it's so much fun to zip across the canal. We plan on getting the other line setup before the winter really sets in, so unless the weather is really bad, I can just fly back and forth."

Holden DeLine and the mayor are not pleased with the Walkers. "There really isn't an ordinance prohibiting the zipline. If the towers are built to code, and the lines do not impede boat traffic, there isn't much that we can do. Nonetheless, the mayor and I are quite upset with the Walkers. Although we have politely asked several times, they still will not let us have a ride."