Ropes Course Planned for Freedom Park

By Desiree Parker Wednesday, January 25, 2012

A picture of a Go Ape ropes course (photo courtesy of Go Ape).

County staff noted that Go Ape has had no serious injuries or litigation since it started about 10 years ago. It is not obtrusive, it would lead to a removal of very few trees and would have no impact on park trails, traffic and roads.

The creation of the course would not take any disruptive heavy machinery, staff noted.

Go Ape owner Dan D’Agostino explained to the board that only a small number of saplings and diseased trees are removed from the course, and these are replaced at a ratio of 3-to-1.

The ropes do not attach to the trees in a way that would harm them, and an arborist comes to inspect the trees each year (a report Go Ape would share with the county). The course can be dismantled without harming the trees, also, D’Agostino said.

He said at its busiest day, he expected roughly 200 people over a whole day to use the facility; generally the ropes courses see about 78 people per day.

There is a limit to how many people can go at a time and groups enter the course at staggered times, up to 14 people per group at 13-minute intervals. The course takes about two to three hours to complete and guests are always tethered to a line for safety. Staff will be on hand to assist guests.

The ropes course will be a partnership with the county that will generate revenue; the county will receive three percent of all sales (after five years of gradually increasing payments). D’Agostino estimated an average ropes course would bring in $45,000 to $55,000 each year for the county.

Go Ape will likely add a kids course a year or so after it opens (the regular course is not intended for children).

High School Sophomore Amy Pressey told the Board that teenagers didn’t have a lot to do in the area, and that this would be something fun that she would try.

Supervisor John McGlennon said the partnership is “an interesting new opportunity for us” and that it would “grow the tourist industry… and generate additional revenue.”

The Board unanimously supported the idea.