A 1.6-mile obstacle course under construction at Johnson County Park will give civilians a chance to try out military-grade fitness.
The obstacle course, dubbed the Gatling Gauntlet, has been in the long-term plans of Festival Country, the Johnson County tourism organization, since 2017, said Ken Kosky, executive director. The course’s military theme is a nod to the county park’s neighbor, Camp Atterbury, the main training camp for Indiana National Guard.
The Gatling Gauntlet gets its name from its address, 7995 S. Gatling Street, Nineveh, and the fact that the tough course will put participants through the gauntlet, referring to the fact that the course is physically challenging.
The address adds to the military theme. The Gatling gun was the world’s first machine gun, which is an 1861 invention that was operated via hand crank and was towed around the battlefield on wheels.
Construction on the course started in September and several obstacles are already taking shape. Though some obstacles look ready to use, Kosky is asking the public to wait until the full course is finished next spring.
The park is a partnership with Johnson County Park. Festival County designed the course and is paying for construction, branding and marketing, while the county provided land for the course and will be in charge of ongoing maintenance, Kosky said.
The course is a dream of Kosky and Festival Country board member Brian Alvey, a veteran and founder of The Warrior 110, a Franklin-based nonprofit that raises awareness and funds for combat veterans suffering from mental and physical illnesses following their deployment.
The two tried out other obstacle courses in the Midwest and relied on Alvey’s military training to create a challenging and unique course unlike anything found elsewhere in Indiana, Kosky said.
“Other communities (in Indiana) have mountain biking and hiking, but we felt this obstacle course would set us apart,” Kosky said. “There are other permanent obstacle courses in the Midwest but what sets ours apart is that we have 20 obstacles and they are bigger and harder than anyone else’s.”
The course has a net climb, hurdles, a stone lift, tire high knees, monkey bars, a rope swing, a balance beam, a climbing wall and more, according to a map of obstacles.
The course is demanding, but the stations have directions to modify the exercise for different athletic abilities, Kosky said. Since there are 20 obstacles, it is a course that could be done easily with a group of family or friends or as a team-building activity.
For those wanting an extra challenge, the course can be done twice for a 3.8 mile, or 5K length, he said.
With this unique amenity comes new opportunities to draw in tourists and potentially regional fitness competitions, Kosky said. The course will be open year-round.
The course costs about $100,000 to build. Materials donations, cash donations and in-house construction by Festival Country board and staff members have brought the cost down at least $50,000, Kosky said.
Johnson County REMC, A&E Tire Recycling of Noblesville, Hirons & Company, Visit Indiana, The Warrior 110, and Hoagies and Hops have signed on to sponsor the course and more are welcome to sponsor, Kosky said.
Companies interested in sponsorships can reach Kosky via email at [email protected].
Money not raised from sponsors will be covered from Festival Country’s budget, which is funded by the county’s hospitality tax. That tax on hotel rooms booked in the county.
The course is expected to open in April of next year, Kosky said. Information on the grand opening celebration will be announced at a later date.
