Brittany Horn

The News Journal

Go Ape, an outdoor adventure course where a woman fell to her death last month, will reopen Friday morning after passing an independent safety inspection, according to state officials.

The state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced the reopening of the course on state park land Thursday afternoon, citing the results of the inspection by an Association for Challenge Course Technology certified inspector.

"Based on the inspection findings, DNREC is satisfied that Go Ape continues to meet industry standards and processes for operation of the course," said Michael Globetti, a spokesman for DNREC, in a statement.

The adult course at Lums Pond State Park will open at 9 a.m. Friday and the new Junior Treetops Adventure course will open at 9:15 a.m. Saturday. The junior course was set to open Labor Day Weekend, but the entire course has been closed since 59-year-old Tina Werner fell from a platform to the ground while on the attraction near Kirkwood on Aug. 24.

Go Ape issued a statement Thursday following DNREC's announcement, noting that the inspection results were reported to both the agency and Go Ape on Sept. 7.

"The inspector’s report concluded that 'the processes and procedures by Go Ape at Lums Pond State Park are well-conceived, meet applicable industry standards and industry-accepted practices, and are effective in their implementation," Go Ape said in a statement. "The report also confirmed that all personal safety equipment was in good working order."

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Go Ape officials said the Felton woman disconnected herself from the zip line cable that participants are expected to remain attached to for the duration of the course. The inspection results further support the findings of Go Ape that the death was caused by "participant error," spokesperson Jeff Davis said.

The state Division of Forensic Science ruled Werner's death accidental by the way of blunt force trauma. The investigation, however, remains open until the results of all testing by the state are received.

The company came under scrutiny after Werner's death because zip lines aren't regulated by the state and not checked by the state Fire Marshal's Office, as is the case for amusement parks and playground equipment.

The adventure course, which operates on state property, pays the state 3 percent of its gross revenue or a minimum of $15,000 to run the attraction. The company pays for all costs to run Go Ape and park rangers patrol Lums Pond State Park, which includes the zip line course.

The new junior course, which will debut Saturday, will allow participants ages 6 to 12 the opportunity to complete more than 18 obstacles and two zip lines at heights of 20 feet above the ground. This system is designed so participants stay attached the entire time they are in the trees and become unhooked only when back on the ground.

Go Ape stressed that incidents like the fatal fall have never occurred at any location before and that all other injuries have been minor and treatable.

The state's contract with Go Ape requires staff to check the equipment daily, with more thorough reviews monthly and yearly. It also requires annual visits from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and an annual construction and maintenance inspection from a qualified outside group of Go Ape's choosing.

Contact Brittany Horn at (302) 324-2771 or bhorn@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @brittanyhorn.