The Bronx Zoo has launched two new attractions on its property on the heels of its hit Animal Planet show, ‘The Zoo.’
The first, Nature Trek, opened on Friday, July 1. Nature Trek is a fully-netted bridge-and-tower course and nature play area geared toward families with young children.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the new attraction encourages the exploration of the natural world through play. It is included with the purchase of a Bronx Zoo Total Experience Ticket.
The other new feature, The Bronx Zoo Treetop Adventure, opened on Friday, July 7, which includes both a Climb and Zipline.
The area includes both an aerial climbing experience featuring seven rope courses of varying skill levels, and a zipline that runs more than 400 feet across the Bronx River and back, soaring more than 50 feet above the river.
Bronx Zoo director Jim Breheny said he likes the attractions because they force visitors to log off their mobile devices and enjoy nature in a way they otherwise would not be able to.
“If you go on that ropes course, you’re flying around testing your ability and skill, in a natural setting in the tree canopy above the Bronx River,” he said.
In keeping with the mission of the zoo as a steward of nature, the course is built without putting nails in any of the trees. The course, designed by Tree-Mendous, utilizes tension to form the course while allowing the trees to continue growing.
For safety purposes, the course does have a height requirement and upper level weight restriction, and loose
