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Warren County

River preservation group opposes extending zipline

A local group objects  to a zipline across the Little Miami River.

A student from Rockwern Academy traverses a zipline Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, during a school tour of the Ozone Zipline Adventures in Oregonia. Tours are offered seven days a week until Dec. 15.

Apryl Pilolli/Staff photographer A student from Rockwern Academy traverses a zipline Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, during a school tour of the Ozone Zipline Adventures in Oregonia. Tours are offered seven days a week until Dec. 15.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: Ozone Zipline Adventures

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By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 12:17 PM Monday, November 23, 2009

Operators of the Ozone Zipline Adventure in Warren County said the first year was successful for the attraction, but a local group is concerned about it being expanded across the Little Miami River.

The attraction, which carries riders on 10,000 feet of zipline 175 feet over scenic views around the Little Miami River in Oregonia, has had more than 4,000 riders since it opened July 1, Camp Kern operators said.

The tour includes a 45-foot tall, central zipline tower that takes riders up to 200 feet above the ground, traveling at nearly 30 mph. The ride was paid for by the YMCA of Greater Dayton, which operates Camp Kern.

“It’s done amazing things for the local economy. Since opening, we’ve had guests from 22 states and five countries,” Camp Kern executive director Jeff Merhige.

But, not everyone is thrilled with the ride. Camp Kern was originally going to run a line over the Little Miami River to Fort Ancient until the river preservation group, Little Miami Inc., objected, said Warren County Zoning Inspector Mike Yetter.

Camp Kern officials recently had site plans approved by Warren County for two buildings they plan to break ground on next year. Merhige said the county asked them to include future ziplines on the plans, so they added the one that would run across river back in.

Little Miami Inc. hasn’t filed a lawsuit, but did object again to the future zipline in a letter to the county, saying it would “invade” a conservation easement it co-owns with the Ohio Division of Soil and Water Conservation.

“The ziplines currently do not invade the conservation easement area. The proposed zipline expansion would and Little Miami objects to that as a violation of the terms of the conservation easement,” wrote Eric Partee, LMI executive director. “Additionally, Little Miami Inc. objects to any zipline crossing over the Little Miami Wild and Scenic River and entering into and leaving from the Fort Ancient property.”

The YMCA’s legal counsel said she believes the zipline would not interfere with the river.

“This conservation easement does not prohibit the use of air space,” Shannon Costello said. “That would be something the courts would need to hear in a declaratory judgment.”

Camp Kern will build a 10,000-square-foot recreation hall and a 9,000-square-foot Wilderness Pavilion. Merhige said he has full funding — through about 200 donors to the Centennial Campaign — for the $500,000 pavilion, which will be “the hub for the start of a new village.”

Merhige said they only need $200,000 more for the rec hall, which is also estimated to cost $500,000. The rec hall will allow for a variety of sports, arts and crafts and other programs.

“It’ll be a place where kids can tear it up and do no damage,” he said.

When the YMCA of Greater Dayton decided to invest $500,000 in the zipline attraction, the goal was to freeze outdoor education rates so local schools can still afford to utilize the camp.

Merhige said because of the success of the ride, it has allowed them to freeze school rates for this year and 2010.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.

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It is my understanding that Camp Kern was paid many thousands of dollars for a permanent conservation easement to be placed on a parcel of riverfront property--meaning a legal contract to keep said property in its natural state. Towers, cables, and buildings outside the easement are not involved. So who was paid off and now wants to violate a contract, mr. lawabider?

greg
7:40 PM, 11/23/2009

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They probably object to it in the same way that'd you object to an overhead transmission line constructed 20' over your backyard.

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"Oh my, what control we must measure over people. Why is it an environmental sin to zip through the air. What precious air molecules are we disturbing. I bet if they used a hemp line and went slow enough to do a one-hit then you would be all for it. Seriously, what is a planet for"

Mike
12:51 PM, 11/23/2009

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I'm all for conservation, but to me it seems like the zipline would do more good than harm to conservation efforts. As I understand it, it's a guided zipline tour so you have a captive audience to share information about conservation efforts, importance of the river, etc. I can't imagine that construction and operation of the zipline would have an adverse impact (or at least lasting impact) on the wildlife in the area. This seems like a pretty non-invasive way to appreciate the natural setting.

Mark
3:20 PM, 11/22/2009

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So, do they really own the area to be traversed or not? That's the crux of the issue. If the conservation group is upset that their property is being crossed without a nod to them, this has nothing to do with them being a conservation group. If, as is so often the case with conservation groups, they're just making some noise so they can get paid off, that's another issue altogether. If I have to investigate for myself, what does DDN do but ask questions laud statism?

lawabider
12:02 PM, 11/22/2009

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Oh my, what control we must measure over people. Why is it an environmental sin to zip through the air. What precious air molecules are we disturbing. I bet if they used a hemp line and went slow enough to do a one-hit then you would be all for it. Seriously, what is a planet for? I am sorry I desecrate and destroy with my wanton disregard for the hallmark moment of spirituality and soulful smudge ceremony. Mom and Dad didn't give you guys enough hugs as children.

Tree Huggin' Loony
10:44 AM, 11/22/2009

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