Treetop Obstacle, Zip-Line Course Opens May 12 In Fairmount Park

PHILADELPHIA – Get ready to go aerial in Fairmount Park, as Treetop Quest Philly is bringing treetop zip-lines and obstacle courses open in the park May 12 to enjoy the park from a new perspective.

The new aerial park is located at 51 Chamounix Drive and will provide both physical and mental challenges for adventure seekers of all ages, as some obstacles are just 10 feet off the forest floor, while others extend 60 feet up.

Various levels of the course area designed for different age ranges, with 40 obstacles and 18 zip-lines.

The Chick'Pea course is for kids 4 to 6 years old only. Levels 1, 2A, 2B, and 3 are for kids 7 to 11 years old. Those 12 years old and up can enjoy all the courses, including level 4.

Pricing ranges from $17 to $51, depending on age and how you register.

"At Treetop Quest Philly we’ve designed a nature-centered experience within our extensive adventure course," Scott Ireland, operations manager for Treetop Quest Philly, said. "Our goal is to challenge and excite Treetop Quest Philly adventurers, but to also reintroduce them to Philadelphia’s incredible parks system, which is one of the best in the nation. This is an opportunity for people of all ages to get outside and enjoy the physical and mental challenges of the course, as well as the natural beauty of Fairmount Park."

Treetop Quest Philly, which has sister locations in Georgia and Mississippi, was developed in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy – all with a goal of highlighting the City’s park system while providing an eco-friendly way to encourage use and visitation.

The project was approved by city officials in June 2017 and puts the city and Treetop Quest in a 10-year agreement – with the chance for the city to renew the contract twice for five years per renewal – to design, build, manage and operate the park.

According to city documents, Philadelphia has no financial obligations in the project.

The agreement also stipulated Treetop Quest Philly must focus on hiring at least 25 staffers from the local community and provide the city with 1,000 free vouchers for the park each year for Philadelphia youths.

Treetop Quest Philly will also be responsible for removing invasive plant species, restoring forests, creating and maintaining new public trails with environmental educational signage, and provide $500,000 in capital investment for improvements as well as $20,000 for additional site improvements. Additionally, the city will earn a 4 percent cut of Treetop's gross profits annually.

“Treetop Quest Philly joins an already long list of amenities available to Philadelphia residents and visitors to get them out and enjoying their parks,” says Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “And I want to emphasize that point: the City of Philadelphia's parks are the peoples' parks; Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has been entrusted to steward and care for them, but we also want them to bring joy through utilization. I can't think of a more perfect way to celebrate the start of Love Your Park Week 2018 than with a fun new way for Philadelphians to experience their park.”

“Welcoming partners like Treetop Quest allows people to experience a different side of the city's parks and bring these public spaces to life, all while raising funds for park maintenance and improvement,” says Jamie Gauthier, Executive Director of Fairmount Park Conservancy. “We can now add tree-climbing to our park-based businesses that include bike and boat rentals, mini-golf, driving ranges, and dining.”

To mark Treetop Quest Philly’s opening, the aerial adventure park will coordinate field trip programs with civic groups and summer camps in Philadelphia. Treetop Quest Philly will be donating 500 tickets this summer (and over 1,000 tickets annually) to Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit the park

You can learn more and book your visit to Tree Top Quest Philly online here.

Contributed photo