Wolseley Swinging Bridge — Attraction in Wolseley

Actually, I almost didn’t even see the ‘apparently well-known’ swinging bridge, as we only stopped into the community for a break and hopefully a picnic table and just maybe, some open water for the dog. It was the ‘All Services’ roadside sign heading West that caught our eye and when we turned in to what looked like a pretty desolate area, the community gradually opened up before our eyes with each 100 yards.

I ABSOLUTELY fell in love with this place and that was even before I saw the Swinging Bridge.

We parked beside the clean bathroom facility at Spray Park (I believe it’s called). There were children playing lacrosse in the school grounds across the way. The washrooms were connected to a nice new-looking solid deck with a couple of picnic tables at the back. There was a wheelchair ramp and stairs to the adjoining park area (and to a nice sandy fenced-off play area for children). We found a really nice new and clean picnic table under the shade of a large tree. There were a few more tables strategically placed in the green space of the ‘hollowed’ park, which was beautifully bordered by high grass and bullrushes alongside a river with a white wooden bridge. The river opens up to a larger pond area where the geese rested, then moved across stream, as my 12yr old dog decided to do a ‘downward dog’ to cool himself off.

We had just talked about how nice the last rest-stop was at Terrace Bay Beach - complete with picnic table ‘on-the-beach’ (see separate review), but this, this stop at Wolseley, was ‘quite the surprise’ and totally unexpected. Which leads me to the ‘Swinging Bridge’. As we drove away to return to the highway, I decided to make a right turn to ‘check out’ this so-called bridge. We weren’t in a hurry as we still had a couple of days driving to do and no fixed time to be back at home. After 4 long days of driving, what’s the rush. Wow! We were totally ‘blown away’, as some people say, though I’m not fond of the term. The bridge is kinda nice (tho wobbly is ‘not my thing’). It’s the surroundings - the water fountains spraying an umbrella of sprinkled H2O, the grassy knowles, the nicely designed buildings and boardwalk beyond…..and when you reach the other side, a really nicely groomed garden area with well-chosen attractive flowers + additional picnic tables under the shade of several tall trees. I had to admire the architecture of the delightful and ‘original’ Courthouse building, before following the boardwalk on the other side of the waterway which passed a Seniors facility and a whole bunch of delightful young schoolchildren participating in a Terry Fox memorial walk. I checked out the Google Population (since I wondered how many citizens know about this ‘Gem’ and it said 892, however, a rather friendly teacher informed me that it’s “up to 1000 inhabitants now”. No wonder. Maybe I will make it one...

The swinging bridge is a beautiful little attraction, definitely worth the side trip into Wolseley. It's easy to find and just a short walk across. The old courthouse is right on the other end and the town hall/opera house is just a bit further on. Both beautiful buildings with lots of history, and the lake is beautiful too. I especially liked the old pictures around the inside of the gazebo. That was a nice little touch. The only thing we would have liked to see is a little more signage for the historical buildings. There were a few little plaques with some good information, but I was eager...

What a clean, vibrant little community Woseley is! The historic architecture of many of the buildings and homes that are still used, is impressive.

I stopped to check out the swinging bridge in early November, and the thin skiff of ice on the water combined with the beautiful clear blue skies made for fantastic photos!

Definitely swingy...but I felt totally safe crossing it. The gazebo on one side provides a great viewing location and relaxing rest spot too.

Definitely worth a...