Big Scale Obstacle Course: Can We All Play Together?

On a recent trip to Ohio we did not let the icy ground and frozen temperatures slow us down. My daughters and in laws and I went to visit the Rotary Obstacle Course at the Scioto Audubon Metro Park in Columbus. The park itself is amazing! Today I wanted to focus on the free play, climbing, and gross motor activities in the obstacle course.

“The Columbus Rotary Obstacle Course features a quarter-mile running track plus a tire run and flip, 8-foot wall, tunnel crawl, balance beams, monkey bars, cargo climb, belly crawl, over/under and a log run.”

 

It was the log pile that initially intrigued me, but once we got there many of the features had their own charm. The elements were not called a playground. My daughter and her grandparents got equal enjoyment out of them. You can see my daughter in the background enjoying the ice in the snow. The cold added a little bit to the excitement!

I could see it as something my husband would actually use as a workout on his run. In that respect, I am not sure if they would meet current playground safety code. I am not sure that they have to, since it is an obstacle course. A loop hole maybe, but maybe not.

 

This huge tire flip and run was really fun. My 3 year old found a tiny tire to roll. The only problem was that the tires all ended up at the end of the run. The use of this simple and cheap material was well done here. The later elements utilized more wood and rope adding new interest to the challenges.

 

I liked the simple use of materials, the appeal to many age groups, and the huge scale. This was a great opportunity for any weather out door play with the family.