The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum Reopens for 2014 Season on April 5

April 2, 2014 - The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum – one of only two aerial forest parks in the State of Connecticut – will reopen for its third season starting Saturday, April 5 at 9:00 AM and will continue into extended night hours for the illuminated "night climbs" which debuted late last season. The park is located at 4450 Park Avenue in Bridgeport, in the forest behind the Museum.

The park, which was the first of its kind in the State when it opened, features zip lines and challenge crossings between tree platforms. It opened in the summer of 2012 to rave reviews from press and public alike. Since then children, teens and adults have been "flocking" to its trees in search of outdoor adventure. In 2013 the park and its operator, Outdoor Ventures, was recognized with an award from the Connecticut Economic Resource Center.

The Adventure Park's 11 "treetop trails" consist of about 160 platforms installed in the trees and connected by various configurations of cable, wood and rope to form "crossings" of different kinds including the ever-popular zip lines. Climbers wear harnesses which are doubly secured to safety cables using the Park's own "always locked on" climbing system of interlocking carabineers (coupling links). Before venturing onto the trails climbers receive a thorough orientation. Trails are designed for self-discovery, making lessons unnecessary. Park Guides are always available for questions or assistance.

The aerial trails at The Adventure Park are color-coded and welcome challenge levels from age five through adult. The easiest (purple trails) are suitable for climbers as young as five and six (when accompanied by an adult.) The most advanced trail (double black diamond) is suitable for teens and adults who are experienced climbers. In between are eight other trails of intermediate challenge levels to choose from. In short, there is something for just about everyone who wants to climb and zip through the trees at The Adventure Park.

A new attraction to premier at The Adventure Park later this season will be the "Monkey Grove" a separate feature from the park's regular treetop trails. The Monkey Grove will be a group of trees, each equipped with climbing grips, similar to a climbing wall. Different trees will present different climbing challenges and climbers will be able to choose which trees they wish to scale during the course of a timed ticket. It will be the perfect activity for anyone looking for something new-especially those used to rock climbing walls.

The Adventure Park at The Discovery Museum is designed, built and operated by Outdoor Ventures in cooperation with The Discovery Museum. HOURS (See website for updates): Beginning April 5, open for general admission from 9:00 AM and into the night on weekends and selected holidays in the spring and fall. (Open any day or night to groups of 10 or more by advance reservation.) Beginning in June it will be open for general admission on weekdays as well for the duration of the summer. For further details and updates please visit www.DiscoveryTrees.org, email Info@DiscoveryTrees.org or call 203-690-1717.