A visit to a trade show for amusement park attractions four years ago has led to the creation of a new family friendly outdoor recreation venue in St. Louis.
At press time, RYZE Adventure Park in the Maryland Heights neighborhood was scheduled to open in mid- to late-August, anchored by a four-story aerial obstacle course featuring 100 elements to climb, navigate, and overcome — some as high as 50 feet in the air.
“The height is one thing,” said Managing Partner Tony Holt, “but the features are another. When you combine each challenge with the height, it’s truly a unique and exhilarating experience. And we have no duplicates, every element is different, leading to an unforgettable urban adventure.”
RYZE, which will also include a miniature golf course and ziplines, aims to attract a diverse clientele of family fun-seekers. “We wanted to create a place where the whole family could come together,” said Greg Hoffmann, park steward. “This is a multi-generational attraction. It’s healthy, and it’s outdoors. It’s a place where you can unplug and build family ties.”
“Anyone 4 years old and older can come here and have a fun, challenging shared experience. There’s no maximum age. If you’re brave enough to climb up the stairs, you’ll encounter dozens of elements designed for all ages,” added Holt.
A color-coded system helps obstacle course climbers pick the elements they’re comfortable with, from easy to extreme. The Little Ninja Kids’ Course (ages 4-7) operates using a transfer-free, continuous belay lifeline. The three upper levels, designed for ages 8 and up, utilize CliC-iT, a patented safety system with two communicating connectors that make it impossible for anyone to completely unclip from the safety line until they return to the bottom level.
“We want people to be able to climb with confidence,” said Hoffmann. “If they can overcome their fears here, then they can use that to accomplish other things in their lives.”
Holt and Hoffmann previously managed Sports Fusion, an indoor entertainment park in Chesterfield that closed earlier this year due to the impact of COVID. “We’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work,” said Holt. “We brought years of experience entertaining people to make RYZE Adventure Park amazing.”
This includes the importance of a trustworthy, skilled, energetic staff. “Our product is our employees,” said Hoffmann. “Our training includes a robust character development system.” Those interested in joining the RYZE team can learn more and apply at ryzeadventure.com/jobs.
The attraction’s days and hours of operation will depend on the season, but Holt and Hoffmann plan to be flexible to take advantage of good weather windows no matter the time of year. RYZE will also be available for birthday parties, team building sessions, school and church group field trips, and other special events year-round.
“At RYZE, our purpose is to inspire, connect, and entertain people through physical fun,” said Holt. Learn more at ryzeadventure.com.
Author: Brad Kovach is the editor/publisher of Terrain Magazine.
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