497 railing posts
256 steel tie rods
654 wood glulam beams and columns
8,250 approximate amount of bolts
60,000 approximate amount of screws
“ In 2021 we had 1.7 million visitors to Peninsula State Park overall . In prior years we were at around 1.2 million to 1.3 million park visitors ,” Hyde said .
In addition to the overall increase in park visitors since the tower opened , a large grass parking area was opened to accommodate the greater number of vehicles traveling to the Eagle Tower site . The overflow area was needed throughout all of summer 2021 , as well as on weekends through the fall and “ every nice fall-color-viewing day ,” Hyde said .
The number of visitors with disabilities using the tower has been notable , Hyde added .
“ From the first day we opened the tower , we had people with disabilities using wheelchairs and crutches , a lot of seniors , and a lot of families with strollers who enjoyed the gradual ramp climb ,” he said .
Hyde noted that the tower ’ s ramp also is appealing to another group : people with a fear of heights .
“ We ’ ve had people who said they ’ ve never climbed a tower because they ’ ve always had a fear of heights . For them the stairs were always too quick , but they were comfortable getting to the top via the gradual incline of the ramp .” Perhaps the most telling feedback so far , Hyde said , was in an email from a Door
County resident after making the climb to the top of Eagle Tower :
“ Having lived my entire life with a physical disability requiring the use of a power wheelchair , it was so exciting to be able to finally experience the infamous view that so many have spoken about from atop the Eagle Tower ,” the email stated . “ All the times I ’ ve visited in the past I have had to patiently wait at the base of the tower while friends and family have made the trek up , only to come back down and tell me , ‘ Wow ! That ’ s awesome ! It ’ s too bad you can ’ t see it !’ Well , after almost 34 years , I finally can say I saw the view for myself !”
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