Remembering Harpersfield Covered Bridge - Harpersfield, Ohio

I took a trip to visit an old stopping ground, Harpersfield Covered Bridge Park in Harpersfield, Ohio and to my surprise it was being renovated and was completely torn down. It has been awhile since I visited the park and hadn't heard about the renovation so I was kind of shocked to see it this way. According to some news I found online it is supposed to be completed by the end of December of 2023 and began in early 2022.
A little about the renovation of the Bridge:
The goal for completion of the current renovation project is December of 2023. The renovation includes replacing all the piers and the two abutments. The project includes a new deck, siding, and a galvanized steel roof. Steel beams are being added to support traffic on the bridge. Both sides of the renovated bridge will have a walkway.
History of 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.
Dimensions
Length: 228 feet (69.5 m)
Overhead clearance: 12 feet 9 inches (3.9 m)
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.
The impending Lamprey Barrier replacement by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), potential covered

[@vutuyen9933]

Sông nước hữu tình tuyệt vời đẹp

[@AdventureAwaits83]

Thanks, Glad you liked the River...

[@TheVineyardFarmhouse]

That's a pretty cool bridge. I hope they replace it with another covered bridge. Thanks for sharing Chris.

[@AdventureAwaits83]

I hope for a covered bridge as well and it looks like it will be one replacing it.. I will miss the old bridge though. Thanks for watching!

[@AnkesWorld]

a nice place, many thanks for this trip, wish a nice sunday

[@AdventureAwaits83]

Thank you! You too!

[@frickpoo6644]

i was here yesterday.

[@desert-walker]

OK I couldn’t understand the purpose of a cover bridge in the first place so I looked it up. Basically I guess because everything was wood. They want to protect the trusses and the decking from falling apart basically and getting old so it was to keep the snow and rain off of it, but I guess nowadays you definitely don’t have to worry about that but a very cool video. Nice area.😊

[@AdventureAwaits83]

We have quite a few covered bridges around this area of Northeast Ohio and I need to visit more! I have always loved the covered bridges, especially the older wooden ones.. Not exactly sure how this one will be rebuilt, only a little info out there on it so far.. Looks like it will have a walkway on each side though which will be nice. thanks for watching and I will update on this covered bridge when it reopens..

[@davedahayford38]

They are restoring the bridge it is not gone for good.

[@AdventureAwaits83]

Yes, but it won’t be the same. This is more of a remembrance of how it was before.. I will come back and make a new video of the new bridge once it’s finished.. thanks for the info and comment..

[@viviandrennan4943]

Oh my goodness. I'm as shocked as you. Must have been unsafe. Hope they build another covered bridge also

[@AdventureAwaits83]

Yeah shocker! I could barely get down there and close enough to film anything.. I'll be back to film the new bridge whenever that will be? Mid Winter maybe?? Thanks for watching Viv..

[@frickpoo6644]

it's a bridge rehab project. they have 2 yrs to complete. this is the 2nd year. they're replacing it w the old one instead of making it bigger.

[@AdventureAwaits83]

So they are using the old frame of the bridge? What about the steel north end? Will they extend the covered bridge or keep it the way it was with the steel bridge. Cant find out to much about it online. I read that there will be walkways on each side..