Cascade falls in Saco, with its beautiful waterfall and picnicking grounds, has been the site of various activities over the years. Slate mining took place there in the 1800s, and in the late 1920s/early 1930s, a live bear was on site for visitors to see.

In recent years, it’s become a more private, natural space, one sought out by those looking for an easy-to-hike, close-by nature experience. Families and others flock to the site to marvel at the falls and enjoy the woodsy surroundings.

Now comes a proposal, however, to make the site more of a tourist attraction once again, this time by allowing ziplines to course by the waterfall. Monkey Trunks, which has a zipline and ropes course on nearby property, is seeking to run a zipline across the falls, so its riders can look down upon them as they zip by. Its platforms would be secured to trees, and obstacles are planned to be worked into the 200- to 300-foot course. In return, the business has offered to let Saco Parks and Recreation youth use the course at no charge.

The company does not own the waterfall property ”“ the city owns it and the surrounding 17 acres, per an agreement with a developer in 2008 ”“ so an agreement would need to be drafted to allow private use on the land.

Ziplines are a lot of fun and provide a unique thrill for those who are daring enough to jump off a platform and whizz across the cable to the next tree stand. But while we’re all for Monkey Trunks expanding on its own property, we don’t feel such a use is appropriate for Cascade Falls. As it stands, the falls and the surrounding grounds provide a beautiful natural respite, and that atmosphere would most certainly be ruined if people were regularly gliding by above the falls, possibly hooting and hollering as they zip by.

Monkey Trunks owns 15 acres of its own land, and we fail to see why they cannot expand onto that area rather than intrude into a nature park that is city-owned.

We urge the Saco City Council to consider the impact a zipline would have on the Cascade Falls site and reject this proposition. It’s not in alignment with the direction the city has been pursuing with the property. The city has been working with Saco Bay Trails to develop the falls area and surrounding acreage for passive recreational use. The first loop trail was completed in 2011, and we look forward to seeing the property developed further with hiking trails and related improvements such as bridges and benches.

We’re disappointed to see that the Saco Bay Trails board did not recommend against the zipline proposal. In their letter to the council on this subject, Chairperson Elaine Vadeboncoeur said the members are divided, with some believing that the area should not be disturbed, particularly over the falls themselves, and others of the mind that a zipline would expose the area to more people and make it more popular for visitors on foot.

The board stresses that monetary compensation would be an important component of allowing this business venture, and while we agree that the business should definitely be required to contribute to the development of trails on the site should the zipline be allowed, money shouldn’t be the only consideration here. We would have liked to see the board definitively state that such a project will change the nature of the site in a way that is not conducive to its agreed upon vision, regardless of any monetary contribution.

If Saco is embracing trail development and natural spaces with this 17-acre property that includes the waterfall, active recreation such as ziplines have no place there. Monkey Trunks should create a tree zipline on its own property and leave the waterfall property to its intended passive recreation use. If the city wants to promote the property to give it higher visibility and use, there are many other ways to go about it other than changing its very nature.

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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.