About Parks Covered Bridge
The Parks Covered Bridge is a 55-foot Multiple Kingpost Truss span built in 1883, crossing a branch of Jonathan Creek on County Road 33 south of Chalfants in Perry County, Ohio. Also known as the South Bridge or Gower Road Covered Bridge, it is the southernmost of three nearly identical covered bridges in Perry County and is recognized as a "very good example" of its bridge type.
History of Parks Covered Bridge
Constructed in 1883 by builders William A. Dean and J.T. Tracey, the Parks Covered Bridge has served the rural community of Hopewell Township for over 140 years. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 1974, making it one of the earliest covered bridges in Ohio to receive this distinction. In 1975, under the supervision of George W. Jones of the Perry County Engineering Department, the bridge and its two sister structures were painted in patriotic red, white, and blue colors to honor America's Bicentennial. The bridge features decorative scalloped trim under its gable ends, a distinctive detail shared with its counterparts.
Architecture and Design
The Parks Covered Bridge uses a Multiple Kingpost Truss design with a span of approximately 55 feet. The trusses are tapered and notched into the upper chords, a construction technique also found in the county's Bowman Mill Bridge. The bridge features vertical, high-boarded siding and a metal roof, consistent with the other Perry County covered bridges. It is one of three look-alike bridges in the county, along with the Hopewell Church and Jacks Hollow bridges, all sharing the Multiple Kingpost design and similar dimensions.
Visiting Parks Covered Bridge
The Parks Covered Bridge is located on County Road 33 (Gower Road) south of Chalfants and north of Somerset in Hopewell Township. The bridge remains open to traffic. From State Route 668, turn onto Gower Road and travel approximately one mile to reach the bridge. The rural setting along Painter Creek offers a peaceful and scenic visit. The nearby Hopewell Church Covered Bridge, just a mile up the road on Cooperriders Road, makes for an easy two-bridge tour of the area.