Venture Climb rock wall to open at Mahoney State Park

Get ready to harness up, grab a rope and climb because new to Mahoney State Park is a 42–foot–tall rock climbing wall called Venture Climb.

Its part of the Venture Parks project that’s already brought the state a rope course, a water park and more.

“It’s all about introducing new activities in our state parks, the gateways to the outdoors, and letting people enjoy adventurous opportunities,” Jim Swenson with Nebraska Game and Parks said.

Mahoney State Park gave employees and members of the media a sneak peek of the facility, and Channel 8 Eyewitness news reporter Bayley Bischof tried it out and all she had to say was that she needs a lot of practice.

But there were also some pro’s in the room. One of those is York woman Alyssa Baldrige.

“I was amazed because I hadn’t climbed since I was a little kid and it just came right back to me,” Baldridge said.

The facility has auto and top-rope belays and a bouldering wall.

There are routes for both novice and experienced climbers, like Baldridge.

“You have to think about where your feet and hands are going to go in the most efficient and fun route up, there’s a little thinking but it’s also just a lot of fun.”

It’s one of the tallest rock climbing walls in the region, but all ages are welcome as long as you can fit in a harness safely.

12-year-old Brooklyn Rasmussen scaled the walls like a champion the whole time she was there.

“I thought it’d be scary but I’m a lot better at it than I thought I would be,” Rasmussen said.

11-year-old Alex Firestone was beside Brooklyn all the way, he said “there’s some that are really easy!”

This is just one step in a series of projects to bring more Nebraskans to state parks, which Swenson said are the gateway to the outdoors.

“We’re building a new camp ground at Platte River State Park and adding a new boat access on the Platte and going to open an interactive exploration center early next year at Schramm Park,” Swenson said.

Venture Climb opens next week. Admission for an unlimited amount of time costs $10 for kids and $11 for adults.

The facility is open from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, Thursday and Friday, 11:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, 11:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. on Sunday and its closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.