VIRGINIA BEACH — Owl Creek Landing, an expansive forested playground that opened this summer, has a new addition.
After months of anticipation, guests can ride The Whorl, the longest steel slide in the U.S. The curvy contraption is the centerpiece of a 65-foot-tall observation tower.
Owl Creek Landing is the sister experience to the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Museum’s Adventure Park, a ropes course that also offers tree-to-tree ziplining. It’s mostly accessible to people of all abilities and ages.
“We wanted to build something over here that allows people to get this really interesting chance to experience the local environment, to experience nature a little bit in the way that people do at the Adventure Park,” said Brett Zimble, Owl Creek Landing assistant manager. “Over here, (it’s) way more accessible for everyone to be up in the trees.”
Participants enter via a bridge that crosses Owl Creek. A ramp, with the option of steps along the way, can be used to reach the top of the observation tower. About halfway up the structure, accessways lead to a tree canopy walk, nearly 30-feet above the ground. The walk loops around the loblolly pine trees that stretch across the 38-acre wooded property. About 40% of the canopy walk is ADA accessible with wide bridges. Children can also explore a tree house village.
“We tried to make this all accessible whether you’re in a wheelchair, whether you’re a little kid in a stroller, whether you’re a grandparent, you can walk up into the trees,” Zimble said.
From the top of the tower, participants can choose to walk back down the ramp (about 1/4-mile long) or experience an exhilarating 10-second slide down The Whorl.
Riders must be at least 7 years old, and only one person can slide at a time. All riders must sit on a felt mat. They’re instructed to hold onto the mat’s straps and place their feet in a footmuff at the front of it.
It takes a little scooting at the top to get going. Then tuck elbows in, lean back and enjoy a very fast ride. Small portholes along the way let light into the enclosed tube. The long, flat landing area allows for plenty of time to come to a stop.
By next summer, Owl Creek Landing will connect to the Adventure Park by way of a bridge across Owl Creek.
Tickets cost between $13-$28, depending on age, and discounts are available. Family day and season passes will be offered soon, Zimble said. Owl Creek Landing will be outfitted with LED lights this fall, and special holiday events are planned, including a dinosaur and fairy-themed Halloween event.
Several weekly activities are offered this month including Wildlife Wednesdays, an educational nature guided walk, and a morning run club on Saturdays.
Zimble leads the wildlife tour, where he talks about the plants and animals that inhabit the property, and the importance of the marshland around it. Pileated woodpeckers, egrets, herons and belted kingfishers are among the birds that live in Owl Creek Landing.
The guided walk is included in the price of admission.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
If you go?
Where: Owl Creek Landing, 801 General Booth Blvd. Virginia Beach
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends.
Cost: $13-$28
Info: www.owlcreeklanding.com
