(Niagara At Large is posting the following February 15 media release from the Niagara Parks Commission for our readers’ information. With this anouncement the NPC is coming on line with Niagara Falls, Ontario Mayor Jim Diodati and New York State officials in approving this event.)
Niagara Falls, Ontario – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) has approved a request by professional tightrope walker Nik Wallenda to walk across the Niagara Gorge on a tightrope.
Tightrope walker Nik Wallenda will be crossing these falls late this summer
“This decision was approved in part in recognition of the role that stunting has played in the history and promotion of Niagara Falls. We have made it clear that this is a very unique one-time situation. It’s not an every day activity and will not be allowed to become an every day activity,” NPC Chair Janice Thomson said.
Under the motion approved by the NPC Board, consideration could be given to a professional performer’s stunting proposal such as this, only once every 20 years.
The approval is in principle and depends on an agreement being successfully negotiated with the NPC and Wallenda that includes obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals.
An agreement is expected to be reached between the two parties by March 31 and the proposed walk is anticipated to take place in summer, 2012.
(The following open letter from the Niagara Falls, Ontario citizens group Preserve Our Parks to the province’s Tourism Minister Michael Chan earlier this month expressed opposition to the Wallenda tightrope walk.)
Honourable Michael Chan MPP
Tourism Minister of Ontario
Dear Sir:
We at Preserve Our Parks are delighted that the current Niagara Parks Commission and administration have reaffirmed the original mandate of the Niagara Parks to preserve and protect the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Falls and the surrounding area for the citizens of Ontario and for all visitors to this great province.
In view of the Parks purpose and future prosperity, we cannot support the Wallenda “walk”. It is essential the NPC avoids setting a dangerous precedent that may benefit but a few individuals. If the Commission were to approve the proposed stunt, how could their lawyers begin to defend the NPC denying flying monkeys or pigs in a barrel?
After all, the Parks were formed by the Ontario Government to outlaw carnivalism and commercial hucksterism. The Parks are a treasure and must be respected and maintained for future generations. We are thrilled that this appears to be the direction of the Commission today. Preserve Our Parks pleads that the NPC remains steadfast in their initial decision to deny stunters or “acts” and that they continue to be conscientious custodians acting on behalf of the citizens of Niagara Falls and Ontario.
Respectfully,
Patricia Salci Mangoff
Coordinator,
Preserve Our Parks
(Niagara At Large invites our readers to share their views on this post in the comment boxes below. Please remember that we only post comments with real names attached to them. Anonymous comments will not be posted.)
Niagara At Large 
The Niagara Park Commission has allowed the jet boat to operate from its property.
The dangerous precedent that has benefited but a few individuals was already set Patricia Salci Mangoff.
The moment the NPC allowed thrill seeking rides on the Niagara river it had broken the rules.
What would be the rationale behind allowing the Jet Boats and not the tightrope act?
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I’m so glad the NPC has reconsidered their decision and granted conditional approval of the Wallenda walk! I wouldn’t miss this for the world. And I’m sure I’m not alone. I’m sure thousands of people will be looking forward to seeing this, despite what Patricia Salci Mangoff says.
I don’t see how letting an event such as this take place – once every 20 years – harms “The Parks” and benefits “but a few individuals”. And what the heck do flying monkeys and pigs in a barrel have to do with this? Where are these so-called flying monkeys? Oh what a world! 😛
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I wish this was not passed, although I do understand Niagara is in economic straits. This is hucksterism, pure commercialism, everything the NPC is (or once was) against. Let’s try, in the future, to keep what is left of the beauty of the Niagara Parks drive free of this one-day commercial crap. Methinks the NPC found themselves under some pressure…. you think?
The drive is beautiful, the Butterfly Observatory and the Parks Gardens are what we should celebrate and take our tourist friends to see, aside from the natural wonder of the falls themselves. But Clifton Hill is a huge garish defect in that plan. And former board members of the NPC were, some have alleged, open to graft. Certainly not me, OK? Former NPC board members and staff allowed casinos and towering hotels to be built, causing moisture damage to surroundings and complete blockage of the natural beauty of the falls themselves….. there I go, into the mists of time. Heritage preservation, and all that tedious boring work that just gets in the way for Developers, and those that profit from any towering development.
I am sure that some elected councillors, or even wannabe elected officials will disagree. Such is the case for an open discussion on this Niagara website.
Thank you Doug Draper.
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My feeling is, that stunting can be dangerous and the death of a none professional would be detrimental to the NPC and it’s image, The Wallenda’s, the family, have been doing this for over a hundred years and were big in Europe, everybody knows about the “Flying Wallendas”, just as we know, about our famous” Hill Family’ and their daring rescue operations here in Niagara, if thiis walk can be tied in with the 200 year peace, between our two countries and the world wide exposure for Niagara, this will be a win, win opportunity.
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I remember seeing his father fall to his death and it was horrible. Nevertheless, he’s a professional and not some clown. This is what he does. I just hope he is successful.
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Mr. Wallenda is planning to run his wire from Goat Island over to Table Rock on the Canadian side. A word of warning to him: Pray for no wind coming from the south-west.
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Another question; If there is an accident will other people be required to risk their lives to save this fellow? It might sound like a callous question but its also part of the problem. Hopefully he’s required to bring his own rescue team as well.
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