ExploreA special “double heart” at Lover’s Leap has been set up for people to display their love.
A new double heart sculpture has been added to Lover’s Leap, enabling a romantic tradition to continue without endangering the safety fence at the popular Hannibal landmark.
Previously, people were hanging locks on the fence at the overlook, which caused concerns of damaging the fence that keeps everyone safe. In recent years, the locks have been repeatedly removed by Parks & Recreation officials to keep the fence from being pulled down.
A love lock or love padlock is a padlock couples attach to a bridge, fence, gate monument, or similar public fixture to symbolize their love. Now, couples have a dedicated place to show their love for one another in a lasting and safe way.
Hannibal Parks & Recreation employees mounted the 10 foot-by-10-foot structure on a concrete pad at the 5-acre park, located on a bluff above Route 79.
Park Board members asked Central Services Director Andy Dorian to construct a structure to provide a place other than the fence for the locks. Hannibal Machine built the structure for $3,200.
The double heart at Lover’s Leap includes a disposal box for the keys to keep the keys from polluting the ground or river.
The locks on the fence were cut off in early 2024.
