Woodlands Township officials evaluating adventure course proposals

Township officials are evaluating a handful of responses submitted in the early stages of what could eventually turn into an adventure course in The Woodlands. The course, once built, would be located at the recreation center at Rob Fleming Park. less Township officials are evaluating a handful of responses submitted in the early stages of what could eventually turn into an adventure course in The Woodlands. The course, once built, would be located at the ... more Photo: Handout:Â The Woodlands Township Photo: Handout:Â The Woodlands Township Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Woodlands Township officials evaluating adventure course proposals 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Officials with The Woodlands Township are evaluating a handful of responses submitted in the early stages of planning an adventure course in The Woodlands.

The course, which would include a zip line ride, would be built at the recreation center at Rob Fleming Park, which is next to the George Mitchell Nature Preserve. The 1,800-acre preserve is within the Spring Creek Greenway, an area that when completed will connect a massive area preserved land covering nearly 12,000 acres of pine forest on both sides of the creek. The combined setting is described in township documents as an "ideal environment" for an adventure course.

Five responses to request for proposals were received by the Jan. 12 deadline, according to Chris Nunes, the director of the township's Parks and Recreation Department. Nunes said he was "pleasantly surprised" with the number of responses.

"This is the first step in what might be several steps for what might be an adventure course," Nunes said.

Township staff will review the proposals, which will include evaluating a number of factors, including the experience of the companies responding and how they plan on going about the work. Interviews will be conducted and a score will be assigned to each firm, with a design plan likely being formulated this spring, he added.

It's hoped the course would be opening sometime late in the third quarter or in the fourth quarter of this year. The township's board of directors would also have to put its stamp of approval on various steps in the process.

"However lots of things can happen," Nunes said, adding that the design, construction, weather and other factors could impact the timing of the construction and eventual opening of the course.

Township documents say the firms would have to have expertise in building a zip line, or specifically to be able to "meet and/or exceed the standards outlined in ANSI/ACCT 03-2016 Challenge Courses and Canopy/Zip Line Tours Standards." Also included in the park would be a kiosk or store, as well as a base camp for safety instructions and "gear deployment." The finished course would have what township documents describe as a "capacity of 50 users every two to three hours."

The request for proposals also asks the design of the course include "takeoffs, quantities (wire, rope, boards, etc)."

The land where the course would be built is part of the property and recreation center the township bought early last year from the Greater Houston YMCA.

Township officials expect the course will provide positive revenue, or in other words, be a money-maker for the township's recreation department,

"We're expecting it to make money," Nunes said, noting that the department does not use tax dollars and that the boathouses operated by the township turn out a profit through the 27,000 boat rentals it processes every year.

In another matter involving Rob Fleming Park, the 11th annual Muddy Trails Bash is set to be held at the park on April 7. Put on by the township, the bash is a USA Track and Field sanctioned racing event that features chip-timed 5K and 10K trail runs. There's also a Little Muddy Kids' one-mile fun run and a fun run for dog owners. The trails bash is one of three signature races schedules for the year that benefit the Parks and Recreation Department.