Back on Feb. 21, we discovered that Go Ape! would be bringing its signature brand of treetop ropes courses to Williamsburg’s Freedom Park. Well, they obviously work fast, because the course is almost done. In fact, it’s set to open April 7th. As we wrote at the time, “some of you may remember that this ropes and zipline course through the hardwood canopy was supposed to be built in Richmond’s Byrd Park in the forest behind the Carillon. It was felled, however, by politics, as this Richmond.com piece explains:

In late 2010, Richmond missed out on a chance to bring a proposed ropes course at Byrd Park. The proposal generated opposition from nearby residents, citing potential damage to the course site in a wooded area behind the Carillon, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. A plan for a public meeting was canceled after J.R. Pope resigned as director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities over an unrelated matter. He was pinpointed by 5th district city councilman Marty Jewell as the person behind the Go Ape project.

Here’s the press release from Go Ape!:

Go Ape, a highly interactive treetop adventure course, swings into action with the grand opening of its second U.S. course on April 7^th at Freedom Park in Williamsburg, VA. Go Ape offers Williamsburg area residents and visitors a unique outdoor experience that allows them to live life adventurously and experience the park like never before, from 40 feet up in the trees, hanging by a wire.

The eco-educational outdoor experience will provide visitors with 2-3 hours of outdoor fun and exercise while they navigate more than 37 obstacles situated in the treetops of Freedom Park. The course spans seven acres and features five ziplines, one of which is 600 feet long, two Tarzan swings, and a series of rope ladders, bridges, swings, and trapezes.

At Go Ape, participants are equipped with harnesses, pulleys and carabineers and receive a 30-minute training session before they are turned loose into the forest canopy. Catering to all skill levels, Go Ape is ideal for friend and family outings, corporate team building, birthday parties, date nights, bachelor/bachelorette parties, school groups, scout events, and church groups – basically anyone who is looking for a fun and exciting activity that gets them into nature.

Founded in the U.K. in 2002, Go Ape has developed 30 courses and more than 2.7 million people have taken part in the experience. Go Ape launched its first U.S. course in May 2010 in Rock Creek Regional Park in Rockville, MD. Since then, more than 30,000 people have visited the course to monkey around in the trees. Go Ape brings the same thrill and adventure to its second U.S. location in Williamsburg, VA.