Lincoln Park’s original zipline/cable ride is gone forever

Many have asked about the disappearance of the longtime zipline/cable ride by Lincoln Park‘s south-end play area. Apparently it vanished, unexplained; we asked Seattle Parks if it was coming back, and spokesperson Christina Hirsch says no:

We’ve installed a new cable ride at the new Lincoln Park north end play area, near the wading pool. The south-end cable ride has been permanently removed. It did not meet current safety standards and was no longer maintainable.

The south-end play area will be renovated within the next five years.

The renovated North Play Area opened last October.

P.S. Somehow we can’t find a photo of the now-gone zipline/cable ride in our archives. YouTube, however, has immortalized many rides … here’s one clip from 2007 that clearly shows the entire installation.

Swede. April 12, 2017 (11:29 am)

Having ridden the new one and looking at the movie clip the ‘safety standards’ Hirsch is talking about must be the brake in the wire trolley. In practicality it just make it hard to pull to the start since you have to load it somehow.

sam-c April 12, 2017 (11:31 am)

aw man, that’s a bummer. That zip line was fun for kids of all ages

John Q Lincoln April 12, 2017 (11:38 am)

Kids will not be pleased. The new zip line is fairly lame compared to the one at the south end of the park. Too bad.

West Seattle Hipster April 12, 2017 (11:41 am)

That’s a bummer. Many fond memories of taking the little hipsters there when they were kids.

At least Colman Pool is still there.

Heartless? April 12, 2017 (12:12 pm)

What a truly progressive idea, save us from ourselves before someone gets hurt! SAD NEWS

skeeter April 12, 2017 (12:14 pm)

We need to fight this. Love that zipline.

zephyr April 12, 2017 (12:26 pm)

Sorry to see it go. It was a fun ride. I did it a couple of times. ;)

WS Hipster wrote: “At least Colman Pool is still there.“

How about the graffiti? Is that still there? Haven’t been back since I saw it a few weeks ago and reported it. I called it in to Parks and no one bothered to call back. I am not in any hurry to go back to see it.

Vicki Streit April 12, 2017 (12:28 pm)

I saw the age is for 5 years and older as a guideline for using the new zipline. For a smaller 5 year old the seat to sit on is too high to reach and the platform squares are too large and awkward. Your feet fall in the holes. It is quite a balancing act to either ride by yourself or help someone to ride.

Diane April 12, 2017 (12:53 pm)

oh dear god Seattle; really??? do they have data on injuries caused by this longtime zip line? then of course people have to die trying to cross streets before any chance of the city getting cross walks; so ridiculous; ps, I’m sure there are 100’s of us with photos of our kiddos having a blast riding the zipline

RF April 12, 2017 (1:08 pm)

Booooo! The new one definitely isn’t as much fun.

maylor April 12, 2017 (1:20 pm)

I can understand why the Parks Dept is doing a CYA in removing the zipline due to the litigious nature of our society. However, the new zipline is practically unworkable without an adult, which is probably the point, but then why even have the zipline? Because of the brake and the flat angle, it moves slowly and is definitely less fun. The brake makes it almost physically impossible to drag back to the starting platform for a child. Lastly, the rope lattice platform is ridiculous. It’s hard to navigate for small-footed children who can barely stand on the platform. I’d like to know the thinking behind the design.

Admiral Parent April 12, 2017 (1:56 pm)

The new zipline is great. Kids 8 & under figured it out on their own in no time. The rope lattice looked weird but actually seemed to encourage patience and taking turns nicely. Saw some quite nasty falls on the old zipline. Youngsters were so glad to see the new one had arrived! Thanks Parks Dept!

MamaR April 12, 2017 (3:36 pm)

How sad! My kids will be so bummed! Wish we could have known it was coming down ahead of time. The new zip line is ok but not quite the same. We do like the new play structure though. Will anything new be added in place of the old zip line?

WSB April 12, 2017 (3:56 pm)

I wish we had known too. It’s been some weeks since the first time someone asked about it … but that means it likely was taken down in the heart of winter, when few would have noticed.

Wsmom April 12, 2017 (4:00 pm)

The new one kind of stinks. It’s so tall it’s really hard for little kids to ride it.

Trickycoolj April 12, 2017 (7:00 pm)

I watched a teenager almost get decapitated as a wire went straight for her neck last summer. Good riddance.

Spoke Junkie April 12, 2017 (11:46 pm)

I really hope this decision is somehow reversed. The new zip line is fine but the removed zip line was the best of any Seattle park. I’ve been there watching so many people of all ages having a blast and long lines because it was so fun. Lincoln Park is our back yard and our son had used the old zip line since he was 4. I’ve never once seen anyone injured or complain about the safety of it. What’s the meaning of “doesn’t meet current safety standards”? Seems like a typical gov’t cop out. Let’s get it back!

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