On Wednesday, May 3, an enthusiastic crowd was on hand to witness the groundbreaking of TreeUmph! Adventure Course’s newest expansion located on a 46 acre property on Cedar Lane, 6 miles west of I75/SR50 Intersection. Modeled after their Bradenton park, the Brooksville location will feature over 130 games, including wobbly bridges, hanging nets, bungee swings, ZIP lines and more. Children over the age of seven can participate in age appropriate activities and adults can choose activities to match their skill or bravado level.
It was former county commissioner Diane Rowden who first brought up the idea of a similar facility here in Hernando County after visiting the Bradenton adventure park. She approached the tourism department, county commissioners and other officials and got the ball rolling.
Kathy Corr, co-owner of TreeUmph! Adventure Course – Bradenton, commented, “She visited us in 2014, walked around for a couple of hours and then approached Aaron [her partner] and said ‘Have I got a place for you to come!’ and it just grew from there.”
Co-owner of TreeUmph! Aaron Corr, stated, “We love helping people have fun, inspiring a sense of pride and doing all that through adventure. We want to work with the local businesses, schools, and organizations.”
County Commissioner Wayne Dukes added, “We provide a lot of services – fire, police protection, but this is the part or our job that we like the most – quality of life. What better way than to leave a natural resource, as God intended. The commissioners were really excited about this.”
Local companies, such as Coastal Engineering, Mike Daniels Construction and Palmwood builders are working together to bring the project to fruition. Outplay Adventures LLC out of Cleverdale, NY is already in the process of installing the tree courses.
Tammy Heon, head of Florida’s Adventure Coast Weeki Wachee Brooksville, stated, “Tourism has a tremendous impact on the local economy in terms of jobs, hiring local companies and tax revenue that is generated by an attraction such as TreeUmph!.”
The company is projected to have approximately a $3.85 million local economic impact with $2.6 million in local construction and consulting services; $750,000 in payroll, supplies and material and $500,000 in peripheral business from visitors coming to this area. Thirty full and part time jobs will be created in its first year of business. The park will be able to serve up to 400 participants per day. It will have an estimated annual draw of 25,000 to 40,000 people – locals, as well as people from all over Florida, the United States and the world.
Another impact that can’t be counted in dollars and cents is the numerous charity events that TreeUmph! is planning on hosting with various non-profits. The company also contributes to schools and local organizations.
With so many people coming to visit, TreeUmph! is dedicated to protecting and optimizing natural resources while providing a safe, clean and eco-friendly environment.
Besides, officially breaking ground and giving tours of the 40-acre park, the company provided a full spread of food and beverages, courtesy of Rising Sun catering.
TreeUmph Adventure Course plans to open this year sometime in late summer.
For more information on TreeUmph! Adventure Park go to www.treeumph.com or call 855-322-2130