Company proposes building adventure course at city park

By: Sharon McBrayer | Morganton News Herald
Published: March 12, 2010

MORGANTON --

A company that builds adventure courses and playgrounds wants to build both at Catawba Meadows Park.
Representatives from Beanstalk Journeys in Jonas Ridge made a presentation on Thursday to the Morganton City Council and its recreation advisory commission.
Beanstalk Journeys representatives say they would like to build a ropes course and playground in the first phase and an observation tower and climbing tower in the second phase. They also want to construct a building that would house a cafe serving local organic food, a guide service and a retail center for outdoor gear.
Mike Fischesser, owner of Beanstalk Journeys, said ropes courses and canopy tours are popping up all over the United States and baby boomers are flocking to them.
He said it's something that kids, parents and grandparents can do together.
Luiz Leonetti with Beanstalk Journeys said a rope course 20 to 50 feet above the ground can have different levels of challenges.
Fischesser believes they can attract people from other places, including families coming to the park for a ballgame. He said they would give full-moon tours, no-moon tours, haunted tours and tours for nonprofits.
As for the adventure playground, the company has built about 20, including one at Beech Mountain, they said.
Beanstalk Journeys proposes a partnership with the city. The course and playground would be on city property, but the company would operate and staff the operations and charge $60 to $120 to use the course, Fischesser said. He said they would have several tiers of prices.
City council members questioned how the partnership would work and what would be required of the city.
Gary Leonhardt, director of parks and recreation, said none of that has been worked out. He said the company wanted to make the presentation to gauge the city's interested in going forward with the project.
Morganton Mayor Mel Cohen said it's something that would fit in well with the city's brand name, "Nature's Playground."
"I think it's something we need to look at and look at seriously," Cohen said. The only thing that concerns him is how the project would be funded.
Company officials say the rope course would cost $150,000 and the adventure playground would cost $75,000.
Leonetti said the city would have to approve the project before the company would look for funding.
Councilman John Cantrell expressed concern about injuries and who would be responsible.
Fischesser said outdoor adventure courses and climbing walls have fewer instances of injury than traditional sports, according to insurance companies.
Leonhardt said the Recreation Advisory Commission will consider the request at a meeting several weeks from now, on a date to be determined, and afterwards will forward a recommendation to the city council.
For more information about Beanstalk Journeys, go to www.beanstalkjourneys.com.

Company proposes building adventure course at city park

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