Aerial Forest Adventure Park To Open In Storrs, Connecticut

The State's Second Adventure Park Follows Previous Success in Bridgeport

The Adventure Park at Storrs-Connecticut's second "aerial forest adventure park"-is presently scheduled to open to the public on May 10, 2013. It is located on five wooded acres at 2007 Storrs Road in Storrs. Appealing to outdoor fun-seekers age 7 through adult, the Adventure Park will feature multiple zip lines and aerial ropes challenge courses. It follows the success of the Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum, which opened in Bridgeport, Connecticut last summer to rave reviews by media and public, alike.

(Grand opening ceremonies and a ribbon cutting are anticipated later, on Wednesday, May 29 at 10:00 AM. Media advisory to follow.)

The Park's design works with the natural arrangement of the forest to create a healthy, environmentally friendly, recreational venue in the trees for kids, teens and adults. The activities require no electricity or motors.

The Storrs Park is the realization of a dream for local landowners and outdoor enthusiasts, Lynn Stoddard and her husband, Chris Kueffner. "When we purchased this land we hoped to find some way to use it in an eco-friendly manner," said Stoddard, "When we learned about Outdoor Ventures Group and their Adventure Parks, we knew immediately we had found the right thing for our property."

The Adventure Park at Storrs will consist of five different "ropes courses" through the trees, of varying challenge levels, from introductory to advanced. The self-guided courses do not require previous climbing experience. After receiving a safety briefing and harness, each climber selects a course at their comfort level and then proceeds to navigate its different "bridges" or "elements" moving from tree platform to tree platform. The courses include zip lines as well. Climbers proceed at their own pace and each course requires anywhere from approximately 15 – 30 minutes to complete. Upon completion of one course the visitor may again ascend the starting platform and select another course. A climbing ticket entitles the visitor to unlimited climbs during a two-hour period. Park staff members are continually on-site and available for assistance or questions.

All climbers wear safety harnesses that employ "double-clipped-on" technology to help keep the climber continuously connected to a safety cable throughout their time in the trees. The courses are designed for ages seven and older, with appropriate challenges suited for kids, teens and adults.

General admission prices are presently expected to be $38 for ages 12 and older; $33 for ages 10 – 11 and $28 for ages 7 – 9. (Prices are exclusive of 10% Connecticut Admissions Tax.) Groups of 10 or more making advance reservations benefit from reserved starting times and discounted prices. Friends and family who are not climbing are admitted free of charge to enjoy the Park's woodchip paths, take pictures and share the experience.

The Adventure Park at Storrs is scheduled to open to the public at 9:00 AM on May 10. Grand opening ceremonies and a ribbon cutting to follow at 10:00 AM on May 29, subject to confirmation.

OPERATING HOURS: Regular hours for general admission will be 9:00 AM to dusk on weekends and selected holidays in the spring and fall. (Or any day to groups of 10 or more by advance reservation.) Starting June 17 it will be open 9:00 – dusk seven days a week for the duration of the summer. For more information call 860-946-0606 or email info@StorrsAdventurePark.com.

The Adventure Park at Storrs is designed, built and operated by the Outdoor Ventures Group, the leading authority in the United States on aerial forest parks and largely responsible for bringing this increasingly popular activity to the United States from Europe, where it originated. The Group also designed and built The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut, The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School in Maryland and Catamount Aerial Adventure Park in Hillsdale, New York. Additionally it has designed and built over a half dozen other Adventure Parks throughout the United States for its clients.