Located in the 160-year-old Quarry District in downtown Rocklin, Quarry Park Adventures is a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Thanks to a grant received from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture (YSAC) has sponsored a series of outdoor experiences at no cost to residents. It’s all part of a statewide Outdoor Equity Program to get people outdoors and involved in a wide variety of activities at no cost.

Next up in its series of events is a repeat visit to Quarry Park Adventures in Rocklin on Saturday, July 19. Located in the 160-year-old Quarry District in downtown Rocklin, Quarry Park Adventures is a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience with adventure activities and fun for the whole family. These include zip lines, rock climbing, rappelling, and free-fall jumps as well as tranquil paddle boat rides. There is an incredible kids’ adventure area with age-appropriate activities.

Quarry Park Adventures is an unforgettable destination for people seeking a fun, easily accessible outdoor adventure. The totally unique adventure park is built into and around what was one of the largest working granite quarries in California, the Big Gun Quarry. The park utilizes the huge quarry’s sheer walls, the quarry’s floor, the quarry rim, the 2-acre lake and even the 60-foot-high waterfall.

The outing will include access to multiple adventure options including a hike in the quarry using their “via ferrata” which is a climbing route that employs steel cables, rungs or ladders, fixed to the rock to which the climbers affix a harness with two leashes. This allows the climbers to secure themselves to the metal fixture and limit any fall. 

Check out Quarry Park Adventures website for more details at quarrypark.com. All minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must pre-register for the trip at yubasutterarts.org.

Round trip transportation via charter bus will be provided from Marysville to Rocklin and back. Lunch will be provided but individuals are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages. Closed toe shoes are required. The outing, including lunch, is free to all. However, there is a $20 registration fee for all participants including young people which will be refunded in cash at check in the day of the event.

These include zip lines, rock climbing, rappelling, and free-fall jumps as well as tranquil paddle boat rides. Photo courtesy of Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture

Registered participants will meet at Yuba Sutter Arts & Culture offices, 624 E Street in Marysville at 8 a.m. The estimated return time is approximately 4 p.m. The trip is limited to Yuba and Sutter County residents only.

Why is access to outdoor activities important? Nature is a public good that’s crucial for adults as well as children’s health and well-being. Experts estimate that every $1 spent on outdoor experiences can save almost $3 on health care alone. Additional studies show that access to parks and greenspace can increase children’s physical activity, reduce stress in children and improve academic performance.

Following the Quarry Park Adventure trip, the next outing will be a repeat Whitewater Rafting Trip with H2O. Adventures on the South Fork of the American River on Aug. 2. More details will follow in a few weeks. Announcements about further outdoor art adventures will be made later this summer.

Be sure to pre-register for these programs at yubasutterarts.org or call 530-742-ARTS (2787). There will be an online trip preparation meeting prior to each outing.

Yuba Sutter Arts is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide arts programming, education, advocacy, assistance and service to artists, organizations and residents of Yuba and Sutter Counties. The local affiliate for Yuba and Sutter of the California Arts Council, its programs include Arts in Education, Veterans Initiatives in the Arts, Arts in Corrections, Very Special Arts Festival, Center Stage Youth Performing Arts, Convergence Theater Co., and many more.