I’ve finally seen it all on Bidwell Parkway. After sword fights and pillow fights, I guess I should have figured that eventually I would run into a slackrope (or slackline) walker. Just moments ago I snapped some photos of Dave Koszka as he traversed between two trees near the intersection of Elmwood Avenue. Although the ‘rope’ was not situated high above, rather it was low enough to tumble away upon a mishap, I was still impressed by the prowess displayed. These are the types of activities that continue to draw me to Bidwell on a regular basis – there’s always something interesting taking place.
Dave did tell me that he’s been harassed by the police a couple times for practicing his walk. “I ask them what I’m doing wrong,” he said. “They don’t have an answer, they just tell me to get moving.” In the end, the hassle of the police has not deterred Dave from practicing his stunt. Next we’re going to get Ice Creamcycle James to sell Dave an ice cream cone while he’s performing – that should result in a SWAT raid.
From the looks of it, there are plenty of people hanging around the slackrope scene who enjoy seeing Dave walking his walk. Maybe someday we’ll see Dave tightrope Elmwood… though he may need a permit for that.
*Thanks to Hoss for the info on slackroping – the alternative to tightrope has apparently become somewhat of a phenomenon. You learn something new everyday.