*NEW* Harpersfield Covered Bridge 2024
I finally got back to Harpersfield Covered Bridge after hearing they reopened it on Memorial Day 2024. Took much longer than they predicted it would to renovate but the Bridge is Beautiful. Nice to walk around the park and see that Bridge from all aspects and be able to walk and drive over it.. I stated in the video that it was an all new bridge but the renovation process used as much of the old bridge as possible from what I'm hearing and you can see some of the old support beams when walking through the bridge in this video..
More about the park and bridge:
Harpersfield Bridge is a covered bridge spanning the Grand River in Harpersfield Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States. This double-span Howe truss bridge, one of currently 16 drivable covered bridges in the county, is the third longest covered bridge in Ohio at 228 feet. A flood in 1913 washed away the land at the north end of the bridge, and the steel span was subsequently attached. The bridge features a walkway, added during its renovation in 1991-92. The bridge also features an Ashtabula County MetroPark at its north end, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge’s WGCB number is 35-04-19, and it is located approximately 3.4 mi (5.4 km) south of Geneva.
1868 – Bridge constructed.
1913 – Steel span added.
1962 – Bypassed when State Route 534 was rerouted around the settlement of Harpersfield.
1991-92 – Bridge renovated.
2023 - June 2024 Renovation/Replacement Complete
History
This 53 acre park adjacent to the historic Harpersfield Covered Bridge, spanning the Grand River (an Ohio designated Wild and Scenic River), is the first and oldest in the park system. The property for the park was purchased in early 1961 from the Western Reserve Properties, representing Fred and Beverly Traub. The park was dedicated by the park board on June 11, 1961 when a flag pole was erected at the park. In the early 1990’s, a donation by the Ohio Water Service (OWS) of land and buildings adjacent to the original park has brought the park to its present size. The value of the property allowed the park board to secure a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant to construct a new pavilion and restroom, in addition to replacement of park water lines and installation of new water fountains.The Harpersfield Covered Bridge Metropark has an activity field, woodlands, covered pavilions with picnic tables, and a popular bait and gift shop. The patrons now enjoy birding, field games, fishing, kayaking and canoeing, wading, photography, picnicking, and the numerous popular events hosted by the Friends of the Harpersfield Metropark.