Tim Stelzer completed his first tree dance at Secor Metropark on Sunday.

Armed with cookies and soda, the 73-year-old Swanton resident celebrated 60 — that is 60 times he has climbed a tree.

“I started climbing trees when these trees were a lot smaller,” Mr. Stelzer said laughing. “Climbing trees has been fun for me and great exercise. I have also met some great friends along the way.”

Tree dancing, a course offered by Metroparks Toledo, took place in the park with a dozen people gearing up to climb. The participants braved the cold and suited up in helmets and harnesses to “dance” among the treetops.

After warming up on the ground, the men and women defied gravity and climbed and swirled among the limbs.

Joe Andrews, an outdoor skills interpreter and programming specialist with Metroparks Toledo, said Sunday’s event is the first time the tree dancing class has been offered this year.

“It is exciting to get this class started again this year,” Mr. Andrews said. “It really is a great way to find out who you are as far as how high you want to go and if you want to go upside down.

Mr. Andrews, a former part-time Washington Township firefighter, works at setting the ropes in the trees in the parks as well as teaching classes to novice climbers and those who would like to volunteer with the Metroparks’ program.

“We have people from 20 years of age and older today.” Mr. Andrews said. “Depending on which rope they choose will determine how high someone wants to go up in the tree. They can also learn how to twist, turn, and go upside down if they want to. It is a lot of fun and great exercise.”

The tree climbing and dance class combined the love for nature and dance, according to Morgan Sopko, Metroparks Toledo camp and enrichment programs coordinator.

“I have always had a passion for the outdoors and movement,” Ms. Sopko said. “The tree dancing program blends the two perfectly.”

Ms. Sopko is also a co-owner of the Bird’s Eye View Circus, a circus studio and performance space that offers classes in aerial silks, trapeze, tightwire, and hammock. She said a few of the individuals in Sunday’s class have climbed the trees before.

“Many people who do this type of climbing walk away from it stronger in many ways,” Ms. Sopko said. “This is a fun and safe tree climbing program that allows people the ability to let go, hang, twirl, and swirl in the air. It is a lot of fun.”

Mr. Andrews and Ms. Sopko are both rope certified by Adventure Tree, a certified arborist, tree climbing, and rigging service.

“You get a different perspective on nature and a new love of the outdoors,” Ms. Sopko said. “Everyone seems to have a great time doing this. It really is freeing in a lot of ways.”

Matt Miller, a co-owner and instructor with Bird’s Eye View Circus, has been a volunteer with Metroparks Toledo since 2016.

“I started as a volunteer when I worked with ProMedica,” Mr. Miller said. “I saw the dancing in the trees program and decided to volunteer for it. I just thought it was a cool way to do aerial acrobatics in nature.”

Mr. Stelzer, who started climbing trees in 2019, said one of the pinnacle experiences he has had is when he, Mr. Miller, Ms. Sopko, and a few others went to California to climb a redwood tree.

“It was three years ago, and we all went to climb an old-growth redwood tree,” Mr. Stelzer said. “We had so much fun. It was an 800-year-old tree, and I was able to do it because of the tree climbing I have been able to learn to do with the Metroparks.”

Ashley Dallaire of Toledo is a member of Bird’s Eye View Circus. She decided to learn to climb trees for the first time.

“This really was very cool,” Ms. Dallaire said. This was just a blast and I will definitely do it again. I am also looking forward to the kayaking class in May.”

Registration for Sunday’s class was $40, which included all necessary equipment. For information on future tree climbing or dancing programs or any Metroparks Toledo programming, go to metroparkstoledo.com.

First Published April 6, 2025, 8:31 p.m.