The St. Vrain Creek pedestrian bridge in the Dickens Farm Nature Area has been closed due to repeated jumping activity by visitors, the city announced Friday morning.
“Jumping from the bridge is a safety issue, as water levels in the St. Vrain can fluctuate hourly, especially during spring snowmelt and runoff,” the city stated in an email and a news release posted to its website. “Rocks, boulders and other materials also can shift along the creek bottom, creating unseen hazards within the creek that could result in serious injury or even death.”
Jumping from the bridge violates Longmont municipal code, according to the release.
The closed bridge is the easternmost pedestrian bridge in the newly opened nature area, located behind the Harvest Junction North shopping center, near DSW Shoes, according to the city.
City park rangers and Public Safety staff have made multiple attempts to discourage jumping from the bridge, including posting signs, increasing staff patrols, and speaking to individuals about the safety risks and legal violations of jumping, the city stated. But now fencing has been installed to prevent use of the bridge.
Staff will reevaluate reopening the bridge as it becomes apparent jumping has ceased, according to the release. The high-flow portion of the season — due to spring snowmelt and runoff — has nearly finished, meaning the creek will return to lower water levels and jumping is likely to lose its appeal, the city stated..
Visitors can still access or exit the nature area’s trail system via the western pedestrian bridge located behind Pinocchio’s restaurant.
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