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.
About the Author