Eureka’s Redwood Sky Walk takes conservation and education to new heights

It’s hard not to get immersed in the surreal experience of northern California’s latest attraction: Eureka’s Redwood Sky Walk.

The Redwood Sky Walk in Eureka is the highest skywalk among redwood trees in the world and the longest skywalk in the Western U.S. Just under a quarter mile to the end and back, the Sky Walk is 100 feet above ground within the city of Eureka’s treasured Sequoia Park and Sequoia Park Zoo. This project is a mighty example of a city demonstrating how #LocalWorks on many levels – in fact, the sky is the limit.

“It’s great for the community,” said Brian Archuleta who visited the attraction Father’s Day weekend. “It’ll definitely bring some more people into this area.”

In fact, the Redwood Sky Walk recorded at least one visitor from every state in the U.S. within the first two weeks of its grand opening on June 4, 2021.

Brad Nissen and Lauren Diaz heard about the Redwood Sky Walk from social media. Then they saw it in the New York Times.

“We found out about it through a Tik Tok,” said Diaz. Diaz was visiting Eureka from Oregon so she and Nissen decided to visit.

The attraction offers visitors a new way to experience the history, nature, wildlife, and diverse ecology of one of the nation’s most inimitable regions.

“Conservation and education are huge components of our zoo,” explains Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery. “We saw this was such a unique habitat on the backside of the zoo that could provide a huge opportunity for education for visitors.”

There are no stairs, making the experience compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA-accessible), except for an optional adventure portion.

The $4 million project was entirely funded by grants, the California state parks system, local lodging alliances in Arcata, Eureka, and Humboldt, St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial Hospitals, and the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation Community donors.

For more information, photos, and the full story, visit Western City magazine.

The Cal Cities #LocalWorks initiative shines the spotlight on examples of local actions that are making a difference to their communities. Show how #LocalWorks in your community by contacting communications@calcities.org.