Nocatee builds zipline over waterpark

The PARC Group, master developer of Nocatee, North Florida’s fastest-growing master-planned community, announced to Historic City News in St Augustine that they would begin construction of a 300-foot-long zipline over the community’s Splash Water Park this week.

The zipline, to open by the end of this month, will start on the top platform of the Rip Tide Slide Tower, cross over the park’s lazy river and volleyball courts, and end on the park’s western side.

“We are constantly looking for ways to make life at Nocatee a truly unique experience,” said Rick Ray, Managing Partner of The PARC Group. “Not only will our zipline be a thrilling ride, but it will offer our residents an amazing bird’s-eye view of the park below.”

Ziplines are elevated cable rides that zip harnessed riders downward. They have been gaining popularity over the past few years, with hundreds being built across the nation. While they first began as a way to experience rainforests in Costa Rica and South American countries, following the popularity of the temporary zipline at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, urban zipline construction soared.

“Nocatee’s zipline is designed to exceed United States safety and engineering standards and adhere to the guidelines set by the Professional Ropes Course Association, which establishes the norms and standards that govern all ziplines built in the United States,” Ray told Historic City News.

Vertical Reality, who is building the zipline, boasts customers including the International Olympic Committee, Royal Caribbean, SeaWorld, YMCA, ESPN, Universal Studios, Six Flags, and the National Guard.

Nocatee’s zipline will be constructed of an interwoven polyester cable that is stronger than traditional steel cables, with a breaking strength of 11 tons. A magnetic braking system will stop zipline riders safely and comfortably, with no abrupt jerking.