COLUMBUS, OH -- A designated seven-acre paintball course, along with a complete equipment rental facility, are drawing thousands of enthusiasts of this increasingly popular activity to Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Hueston Woods hosts a club dedicated to the activity, along with a web site, newsletter and regularly scheduled tournaments. "Literally, thousands of people have played paintball at Hueston Woods since our fields were constructed in 1999," said lodge manager Tom Arvan, who oversees the paintball course.
Paintball is a combat-style game played by two teams armed with air guns that shoot non-lethal gelatin shells. Each shell is filled with water-soluble vegetable oil and food coloring that splatters upon impact. Each of the two paintball fields at Hueston Woods State Park features a combination of man-made bunkers, natural obstacles, woods and ravine which makes for a variety of challenges for players. Once a player is "marked" or "shot," he or she is disqualified until the next game begins. All paintball games at Hueston Woods are fully refereed. "Everyone from 10-year-olds to adults play on our course," Arvan said.
Enthusiasts say paintball builds character and self-confidence. Each 15-minute paintball game requires strategy, skill and teamwork. Player size and strength are of less importance than intelligence and determination. Youngsters and adults play on equal footing, as do men and women. Referees make sure players stick to the rules that include firing a paintball gun only on the field of play, avoiding wildlife and keeping the gun plugged when in "safe" areas.
At Hueston Woods, anyone can "walk on" to play paintball on Saturdays and Sundays when the course hosts open play. Guns and all the necessary protective equipment are available for rent (and paint is available for purchase) at the field store. Of course, experienced players are welcome to bring their own equipment and paint. The field store fills CO2 and nitrogen tanks up to 4500 psi for guns. An average day of paintball play will cost about $27 for full equipment rental that includes protective gear, gun and 200 paintballs. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available for sale in the field store.
Course hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays year round. Weekday play is by reservation only and is limited to parties of at least 15 players. Catering for large or small groups is available any day of the week through the Hueston Woods Resort Lodge at 513-664-3500. Information about the Hueston Woods Paintball Club is available at 513-664-3500 or at www.hwpaintball.com .