Outdoor Ventures Honored Among State's "Top Projects" by Connecticut Governor and Economic Resource Center

December 11, 2013 - Outdoor Ventures was honored as one of the "top economic projects, programs and leaders" at the "CELEBRATE CT!" gala event at The Bushnell in Hartford, Connecticut on the evening of November 26.

The company, (formally known as the Outdoor Venture Group, LLC) has built two of its highly popular aerial forest Adventure Parks in Connecticut. It was honored by both the Connecticut Economic Resource Center as well as in an Official Statement from Governor Dannel P. Malloy for "outstanding service and commitment to the State of Connecticut." The Governor's Statement also recognized the company's efforts to "strengthen Connecticut's economic climate, improve our communities and revitalize our neighborhoods."

Robert Santy, President and CEO of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC) and Catherine Smith, Commissioner of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development presented the Award to Outdoor Ventures' President, Bahman Azarm, who later explained, "Outdoor Ventures builds Adventure Parks all over the United States, but as our company is headquartered in Connecticut, we wanted to build and operate one in our own back yard-our own State. It turns out our first Connecticut Park was so successful we built another!"

The company's two Connecticut Adventure Parks are The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, and The Adventure Park at Storrs.

Depending on the location, the Outdoor Venture Group's Adventure Parks feature anywhere from 60 to 160 or more platforms constructed at different levels in the trees. Different types of bridges, representing obstacles, connect these platforms. Climbers, wearing safety harnesses, maneuver from platform to platform. There are multiple courses to choose from-introductory through advanced-so there is something for practically everyone. The courses all also include zip lines to add to the fun.

The Outdoor Venture Group, is 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 designed, built and operates The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut, The Adventure Park at Storrs, Connecticut, The Adventure Park at Frankenmuth, Michigan and The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring Friends School in Maryland (the largest aerial forest park in the United States). It is currently building two more parks it will open and operate in 2014: The Adventure Park at West Bloomfield, Michigan and The Adventure Park at The Virginia Aquarium. Additionally Outdoor Ventures has designed and built numerous other Adventure Parks throughout the United States for its clients at ski resorts and other venues.

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SEE BELOW FOR DETAILED PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CERC1 — L-R: Presenting award at CELEBRATE CONNECTICUT! - Robert Santy, President and CEO of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC); award recipient Bahman Azarm, President of Outdoor Ventures; Catherine Smith, Commissioner of Connecticut's Department of Economic and Community Development. Photo by Jim Coon.

CERC2 — The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. One location where the public is discovering climbing and zip line fun. Photo by Anthony Wellman

CERC3 — At The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum on July 16, 2012, L-R: Peter Yazback, Outreach Coordinator for U.S. Congressman Jim Himes; Senator Ed Gomes; Michael C. Tetreau, First Selectman, Town of Fairfield; The Honorable Bill Finch, Mayor of Bridgeport; Michelle Lyons, Bridgeport City Councilwoman; State Representative Andres Ayala; BRBC President & CEO Paul Timpanelli; Bahman Azarm, President of Outdoor Venture Group (and The Adventure Park); (standing behind Ayala: Dan Donovan, Chairman, Board of Trustees, The Discovery Museum. (Photo by Anthony Wellman)

CERC4 — THE GOVERNOR VISITS THE ADVENTURE PARK AT STORRS - Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy visited Outdoor Ventures' Adventure Park at Sorrs on August 21, 2013 and toured the grounds. Pictured here with him, from left: Governor Malloy; Bahman Azarm, President of Outdoor Venture Group (builder/operator of the Park); Chris Kueffner, Park partner; Gregory Haddad, State Representative, 54th District; and Lynn Stoddard, Park partner…Oh yes, and Rusty, the Park's Official Greeter, sitting front and center. The Governor appreciated the Park's ecological sustainability as well as the business and employment it brings to the region. (Photo by Anthony Wellman)