Groundbreaking held for construction of large outdoor ropes course venue

Local officials gathered Wednesday to help with a groundbreaking ceremony for a planned large-scale outdoor ropes course in the Lehigh Valley. 

Located at 410 Cedarville Rd., Easton, HangDog will also include a beer garden, gourmet food truck and will feature a lights show, café and live music. 

The destination is expected to open early this summer. 

“HangDog will be the largest outdoor climbing adventure space in the Northeast, but we have so much more in store for everyone,” said Mike McCreary, owner of HangDog, Lehigh Valley Grand Prix and Go! Axe. “It’s going to be an amusement facility for your family, friends and co-workers with inspiring food and beverage options for all ages. The icing on the cake will be the craft brewery and beer garden.” 

Because HangDog is expected to have 50,000 annual projected visitors, it received RACP funds to support the project. Northampton County is facilitating the management of the funds.  

“On behalf of Senator Boscola, she was proud and eager to help finance this project through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), said Joe Kelly, Chief of Staff for State Senator Lisa Boscola. “Recreation is a great driver of economic development, especially in Lehigh Valley, and HangDog is a unique concept that’s going to be a winner here, conveniently located right off of Interstate 78.”  

The name “HangDog” comes from the climbing term for resting on your rope as you lead climb in order to take a break.  

The facility will have climbing options for children as young as age 4, with the full course available for ages 8 and up.  

The ropes course will consist of four stories of climbing obstacles and zip-lines. Highlights of the course include 115 climbing elements, a giant swing 45-feet above the ground, two 240-foot ziplines, free fall jump and a kids course.