By Sadie Hunter
A public/private partnership between Hamilton County Parks and Recreation and Edge Adventure Parks has led to the near-opening of Koteewi Adventure Aerial Park at Strawtown Koteewi Park in north Noblesville.
Adventure Park Manager Brian Niksch of Edge Adventures Parks said the series of treetop trails is expected to open in early June.
“We have not picked that (first-day-open) date yet,” he said. “Originally, it was Memorial Day, but somebody left the rain switch on too long, so (the builders) have been stuck.”
The aerial park, in construction on the south side of the 800-acre park since late February and early March, is made up of five different treetop courses ranging in difficulty with height.
a variety of obstacles.
The easiest courses are the two yellow courses, the lowest at approximately 16 feet high, with two green courses in the middle, approximately 40 feet high, and the blue course at the top, literally, at approximately 60 feet off the ground.
Platforms connect each trail obstacle from tree to tree. Obstacles include planked steps, series of ropes, zip lines, single tightrope walks and more from platform to platform.
“We have about 60 of the platforms, so approximately 12 per course, and it will take, to complete just one course, a couple hours,” Niksch said. “Every obstacle that we have is custom built for this park. So, that’s going to be a unique experience. This is going to be an experience they’ve never had anywhere else. This isn’t just, ‘Hey, here’s the plan. Plop it down, and move on to the next plan.’ This is the only one like this.”
Niksch said once open, he hopes the treetop trails will draw anyone and everyone.
“We want to have church groups come out, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts. That’s a big part of our business is getting large groups together,” he said. “It’s such a great team-building opportunity. Those are all pieces of the business, along with, you know, just mom, dad, brother and sister who want to come out and have a couple hours of family time.”
Anyone age 7 or older is welcome to strap on a harness and hit the trails.
“There’s no age stoppage on this,” Niksch said, adding if a person believes they’re physically capable of completing a course, they are welcome.
“The number one issue for Edge (Adventure Parks) is safety,” said Manager and Owner of Edge Adventure Parks Steve Doninger. “Staff are ACCT trained, and Koteewi Aerial is outfitted with full body harnesses, helmets, gloves and a 100 percent, on-belay Quick Trekker System. Participants have the thrill of climbing, zipping and working through the courses with the security of knowing that they are 100 percent (safe) from start to finish.”
Cost is $49 for adults and $44 for kids 13 and younger. Parking is free, and the courses will be open every day through the spring, summer and fall when weather is appropriate.
“(Registering and booking) are fully automated. The majority of people will pay online,” Niksch said. “They’ll reserve online, too, because the way this works is, we can have 16 people every half hour going into the park. The first group takes off at 9 a.m., and the last group takes off at 5 p.m. You want to reserve a time, because if you just show up, it may be three hours before we can get you up there.”
To book a time, visit edgeadventureparks.com.
Explore what’s to come at Strawtown Koteewi
The following projects are parts of the Strawtown Koteewi Park master plan on the south end of the park, near the Koteewi Aerial Adventure Park.
1. Koteewi Aerial Adventure Park
2. Sledding hill
3. Toboggan run
4. Challenge course
5. Trail head
6. Picnic shelters
7. Playground and open play
8. Water treatment wetland
9. Lodge, conference center, restaurant
10. Koteewi Archery Range
11. Equestrian facilities
12. Interpretive farm
13. Archaeology/interpretive/demonstration area
14. Proposed wetland
15. Central event lawn
16. Beach house
17. 20-acre recreational lab
18. Beach and swimming area
