First zip line course in Illinois opens in Western Springs

The Go Ape treetop adventure course opens Saturday, June 25, in the Forest Preserves of Cook County, the first zip line and treetop obstacle course in Illinois.

The seven-acre course in Bemis Woods South, 1100 Ogden Ave., Western Springs, offers guests a two- to three-hour trek through the forest canopy.

Course features include: five zip lines totaling 2,837 feet; a "double Tarzan swing" that allows two participants to simultaneously swing from 30 feet and safely land in a cargo net; a series of rope ladders and bridges, spider's webs and trapezes; and 40 obstacles situated more than 40 feet off the ground in the forest canopy.

The course contains five stations, called "sites." To access each site, guests ascend a rope ladder which leads to a set of obstacles and ends with a zip line bringing guests back to the forest floor. Each site gets progressively more challenging and the zip lines get longer.

The course can accommodate beginners as well as skilled outdoor enthusiasts. Visits start with a 20-minute safety session. Admission is $57 for those 16 and up, and $37 for 10- to 15-year-olds. More information is at fpdcc.com.