The ropes course has a variety of difficulty options for local students to explore.
San Francisco’s McLaren Park has just unveiled an exciting new ropes course among the trees! The course comes as part of the city’s mission to increase equitable access to outdoor and nature programs among local students. It’s also open to community members for free on select Saturdays, which have been booked up through the end of the year. Stay tuned as more dates open up for the beginning of 2022.
The McLaren Park Ropes Course was created in conjunction with SF Recreation & Parks and Outward Bound California. It consists of both challenging elements higher up, as well as team-building elements closer to the ground. Participants are secured safely with harnesses. Here’s what you can expect:
The Challenge Course: A high ropes course with 8 aerial challenges.
The Discovery Tower: A four-person challenge based on teamwork.
The Leap: A solo challenge where participants have to take a leap of faith
The Lows: Team-building challenges low to the ground.
Some of the more difficult elements include an “incomplete bridge” where you have to step onto wooden platforms that become further and further apart; a horizontal log that tests your balance; the “centipede ladder” where you must climb up a series of 2x4s, and more!
What makes the course unique is how customizable it is. OBCA took care to incorporate as much accessibility as possible, meaning that there are portable wheelchair ramps, course elements for people who can only use the upper half of their body, and more.
The McLaren Park Ropes Course is open primarily for schools and non-profit groups. Those that serve students from low-income communities can get a scholarship of up to 75%, with the course itself free for students. There will also be free community days on the last Saturday of each month, although the course is already booked out through the end of the fall.
“We are overjoyed to finally welcome our community to this course that has been years in the making,” said Outward Bound California Executive Director Nettie Pardue. “Piloting courses in a pandemic was not easy but we were proud to offer in person, impactful programming centered in resilience, compassion and belonging for local youth. I am grateful to community members, staff, students, school and nonprofit partners, OBCA board, and state and local officials who made this possible.”
You can keep up-to-date with information about the spring 2022 season by checking the Outward Bound website, plus their Instagram and Facebook.
Can’t wait that long? Consider checking out the Fort Miley Ropes Course, which has a variety of options available to the public!
Featured image: @sfrecpark via Instagram