Anthony Caldwell was visiting Indy and looking for something fun to do when he discovered Go Ape Treetop Adventure at Eagle Creek Park.
“I just wanted to try something new,” said Caldwell. “I plan on going back again soon.”
A Go Ape Treetop Adventure concourse challenge is an outdoor experience like none other. The aerial course allows participants to complete various challenges through the treetops using zip lines, obstacles and Tarzan swings.
At Go Ape, participants can channel their wild side, while moving from tree to tree. This means safety comes first. Adventurers are equipped with harnesses, pulleys and carabiners and given a 30 minute safety briefing and training.
“You’re always within a shouting distance of an instructor, but safety is definitely a No. 1 priority and we take safety very seriously,” said Dan D’Agostino, USA managing director of Go Ape. He added that they’ve had over 2.5 million guests on Go Ape courses without a serious incident.
After a practice round, the real adventure begins. More than just a canopy tour, the Indianapolis course, located in Eagle Creek Park, is made up of numerous rope ladders; 39 crossings to include the Log Balance, Flying Carpet and Tic Tac Toe; two Tarzan swings; and five zip lines.
There are five individual sections within the course, each taking you higher into the forest canopy and finishing with a zip line more exciting than the previous one.
If you thought the Indianapolis Super Bowl XLVI zip line was impressive, you’ll go bananas over Go Ape.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure is said to be a great outdoor activity for groups of all sizes; private groups; schools, scouts and youth groups; nonprofits and special needs; and senior citizens. It’s also said to be a “tree-mendous” way to treat corporate office staff to a day full of adventure, team building and staff bonding.
Go Ape Treetop Adventure doesn’t simply cater to adrenaline junkies. Go Ape’s mission is to encourage everyone to live life adventurously while treading lightly in the most beautiful places and spaces in the U.S. All of Go Ape’s U.S. courses are located in public parks and giving back to the parks and community is a significant aspect of their values.
“For each one of our courses, we have a stewardship program that is specific to the park and the park partner,” said D’Agostino. “So at some of our parks, we’ll do a clean up, other courses we’ll set up bird or bat boxes; create receptacles for fishing lines; or plant native species.”
By being up for the challenge, Go Apers also contribute to the health, finance, and well being of the parks, as the company provides a portion of the proceeds and stewardship services back to the parks they call home.
Indianapolis’ Go Ape location is the first treetop adventure course in the Midwest.
“Eagle Creek is an absolute gem of a park and we couldn’t be more pleased with our partnership with Indy Parks,” said D’Agostino. “The park also has ponds, hiking trails, the nature center, a boat rental – it’s a destination within its own right.”
The fee for two to three hours at Go Ape is $57 for people age 16 and over and $37 for youth ages 10 – 15. The parking fee is $3 for bikers/hikers; $5 for Marion County residents; $6 for non-residents; and $15 per bus. Group rates and other amenities such as picnic shelters are also available for a small fee.
For more information or to book your adventure, call (800) 971-8271 or visit Goape.com/zip-line/indiana-eagle-creek-park.
To view photos from Recorder staffers Victoria Davis and Jessica Key’s (pictured left) adventure at the Go Ape course at Eagle Creek Park, visit Facebook.com/IndianapolisRecorder.
