Business & Tech

New Sky Ropes Course Provides Active Fun for Farmington Area Families

The new indoor ropes course at the Farmington Tennis Club offers options for adults and kids of all ages.

Seven-year-old Ben Bakewell of Farmington and his climbing buddies Jack Pado, 10, and Andrew Pado, 7, of South Lyon, looked a little apprehensive as they lined up on the stairs at 's new Sky Ropes course Wednesday afternoon.

The boys were equipped with harnesses and lanyards designed to ensure their safety as they climbed 12 feet, then 24 feet and finally 32 feet off the ground. The facility opened just two weeks ago in space that was once occupied by tennis courts, manager Mandie Cooke said.

"Farmington Tennis Club was looking for something more for the community to do," she explained, adding that a climbing wall and zip line may be added in the future. "This industry is really booming with these types of features ... Zip lines are really huge." 

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The Sky Ropes course, which is manufactured in Michigan, challenges climbers to traverse different kinds of bridges and walk-ways high in the air. But even those with a fear of heights are comforted by the sturdy set of stairs between levels. Cooke said, "it's not as difficult as a traditional ropes course." 

Anyone who is 48 inches or taller can use the larger structure; a second, smaller one is also available. Cooke said the "kiddie course", the only one of its kind in Michigan and one of only three in the world, allows parents to get inside the structure to guide their children through. 

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Jackie Bakewell took her younger son Brody, 2, through the kiddie course, while Ben, Jack and Andrew got comfortable with the larger structure.

"This is something new they haven't tried," she said. "It's affordable, it's indoors (it was raining Wednesday) and it's good exercise."

Cooke said many families are looking for more active kinds of entertainment to get the kids away from video games and computer screens. Sky Ropes hopes to draw them in with the shiny new courses, specially trained instructors and a primary focus on safety.

Cooke said all safety equipment is built to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) specs and rated for climbing at any skill level.

"Safety is priority number one," she added. 

Sky Ropes is in the process of hiring a facilitator to offer team building events. The course is available now for group rentals and parties. The cost for individual users is $12 for the high ropes and $5 for the kiddie course, with no time limit. 

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday; groups can book from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. A liability waiver is required; a copy and more information is at farmingtontennis.com.

You can also "Like" Sky Ropes on Facebook.

Correction: Sky Ropes' days of operation were incorrectly listed in the original version of this story.


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