Dedicated spaces for a wide variety outdoor activity, beyond its area parks, create many ways to explore the Redding area. Pathways along the Sacramento River National Recreation Trail offer pedestrians and bicyclists an eight foot wide trail for people of all ages. As the River Trail nears the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, trail-goers are treated to views of Sundial pedestrian bridge, a centerpiece of the new regional trail system.
   Crossing the Sacramento River in the heart of Redding, California, the Sundial Bridge opened on July 4, 2004. Noted as a functional work of art, the one-of-a-kind pedestrian bridge is a working sundial. Made of steel, glass, and granite, the entire span has no supports in the water. The walking surface is made of translucent, non-skid decking and provides a spectacular night view.
   Designed by world famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the bridge was his first free-standing structure in the United States. Stretching across the Sacramento River, the 700 feet long, 23 feet wide bridge is supported by a 217 foot high pylon, requiring 580 tons of steel. The deck is made up of 200 tons of glass and granite and is supported by more than 4,300 feet of cable. The structure was built on a foundation of more than 115 tons of steel and 1900 cubic yards of concrete. The McConnell Foundation, a private foundation based in Redding, funded the majority of the bridge’s 24 million dollar price-tag.

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