Destination Augusta presented an update to the City of Augusta’s Public Services Committee Tuesday on the progress of the new Outdoor Urban Adventure Center.
Located at the Riverwalk’s Freedom Bridge, the project will transform the riverfront with a dramatic eight-story illuminated climbing tower and zipline platform, allowing visitors to soar above the Savannah River. This dynamic attraction is set to activate a key section of Riverwalk and serve as a signature outdoor experience in the region, according to a news release from Destination Augusta.
“Finding the right group with the right vision to make this attraction a reality was the first step,” said Destination Augusta President & CEO Bennish Brown. “I firmly believe we found the right partner in The Forge. I’m impressed with how they take the destination’s assets and overall vibe into account when designing a project. This adventure center will certainly be authentic Augusta.”
Under the proposed agreement, The Forge would manage operations and programming for Augusta, bringing their expertise in adventure-based recreation and public engagement to the city.
The Forge’s premiere park, based in Lemont, Illinois, is a 300-acre adventure park, and the company has consulted with outdoor destinations across the country, including a proposed park under consideration in Memphis, Tennessee, the release continued.
The Outdoor Urban Adventure Center is a recommendation included in Destination Blueprint — Augusta’s Tourism Product Development Plan — and has been in the works since 2023 when Destination Augusta entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the City to lead the design, build, and operator identification for the project.
Key features of the current design include:
-An eight-story climbing and zipline tower visible in the city skyline
-A two-story climbing challenge course built above the Freedom Bridge’s existing structure
-A scenic observation deck accommodating up to 100 people, free to the public during park hours
-A geodome for orientation, training, and private event rentals
-Food and beverage offerings onsite
-A fleet of rentable donut boats launching from the Riverwalk Marina
-A calendar of special events, races, and regularly programmed outdoor activities
“This is more than an attraction — it’s a transformative project,” said Jennifer Bowen, Chief Strategy Officer & Senior Vice President of Destination Augusta. “The addition of the outdoor urban adventure center at Freedom Bridge and Augusta’s Riverwalk will be an attractor for both visitors and locals to experience a zipline and climbing experience like none other in our region. For the first time in maybe the history of the Riverwalk, visitors and residents will be able to connect and interact with the river in a variety of ways.”
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