“Treehouse Masters” host presents Cannaley Village

        On Wednesday morning, the Toledo Metroparks held a ribbon-cutting and dedication for the Cannaley Treehouse Village in Oak Openings.
        Among the speakers was Pete Nelson, owner of Nelson Treehouse and Supply and host of the Animal Planet show, “Treehouse Masters.”
The Cannaley Treehouse Village – the largest treehouse village in a public park anywhere in the country – offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Designed by Nelson Treehouse and Supply and built by Metroparks’ construction crew, the project was paid for with more than $1.5 million in individual and corporate donations raised by the Metroparks Toledo Foundation.
        Other speakers at the dedication event included Dave Zenk, executive director, Metroparks Toledo; Scott Savage, president, Board of Park Commissioners; and Linda Cannaley, lead donor and major supporter of the treehouse village project.
        The Cannaley Treehouse Village is located at the Beach Ridge Area, a 500-acre addition to Oak Openings Preserve, the largest of the 17 Metroparks. It is also one of three trailheads for a 12-mile mountain bike trail, a mountain bike skills development course and The Wheelhouse, a bicycle-themed gathering place that houses restrooms and showers.
The village includes five treehouses and three tent platforms. The treehouses are complete with electricity, heat and air conditioning and screen rooms, plus three camping platforms in the trees.
The Treehouses —
        • Flatwood Commons – Day-use treehouse, ADA accessible, available for parties of up to 50 people. Connected by a canopy bridge to a tower and crow’s nest.
        • The Dragline – Spider web theme, two-person treehouse with a queen Murphy bed, a dining table with two chairs and two hanging chairs.
        • The Nest – A bird-themed, two-person treehouse with a full bed, two chairs, a coffee table and slide.
        • The Hub – A bicycle-themed, four-person, ADA-accessible treehouse, featuring an accessible bedroom with queen bed, loft with queen bed, a couch, two small end tables and a slide.
        • The Stable – A horse-themed. six-person treehouse with two queen beds, a full bed, a couch, two chairs and a coffee table.
        • The Drey, The Perch and The Lair – Tent/hammock platforms for camping in the trees, each with their own theme and special features such as netting and rope ladders for climbing.
        Reservations are now being accepted for overnight stays. See MetroparksToledo.com for instructions. The first 500 people selected in a raffle drawing this spring were given the initial opportunity to make reservations.
        Rental rates for overnight accommodations are:
        • Six-person treehouse - $225 per night; member rate $200;
        • Four-Person Treehouse  - $200 per night; member rate $175;
        • Two-Person Treehouses  - $150 per night; member rate $125;
        • Tent/Hammock Platforms  - $30 per night; member rate $20.
        • Day Use: Flatwood Commons Treehouse, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $500 per day; member rate $450 (extended hours available).
        Free public tours of the treehouses will be available, by reservation, Mondays and Tuesdays beginning in mid-August. Details will be announced July 21 at MetroparksToledo.com.