Three Rivers Reports Uptick in Kayak, SUP Rentals

Three Rivers Park District reports an increase in kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals since the pandemic began

Three Rivers Park District partnered with iPaddlePort, a canoe and kayak rental service, to provide watercraft on the western shore on Lower Twin Lake in Robbinsdale.

Besides kayaks, visitors can also rent stand-up paddleboards. They’re stored in the port, which looks like a trailer, near the Lower Twin Lake dock. The watercraft will be available until Labor Day weekend. 

CCX photojournalist Dustin Scholl kayaks through the Twin Lakes.

Renters can reserve a boat online before picking it up at the iPaddlePort. Renters will receive a 10-digit code to punch in at the port to pull out the boat rentals.

Due to COVID-19, watercrafts are required to be sanitized with every use. Because Three Rivers staff can only sanitize the boats once in the morning, renters can use the boats for a full day for the same price. 

“We use to have it where it was a two-hour rental. Due to COVID and restrictions with that of maintaining sanitizing of the boats, we’ve gone to just day rentals now,” explained Dan Fjell, a Three Rivers facility supervisor.

Three Rivers have had the iPaddlePorts for a couple of years, but boat rentals have gone up since the pandemic. Fjell said it’s partly because it’s a great way to enjoy the lakes while social distancing.

“Twin Lake is a fun lake to explore,” he said. “It’s not really heavy on boat traffic, so you can get out and really enjoy yourself without feeling like you’re getting pushed out by large boats.”

Boat rentals are available 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday until Labor Day weekend. 

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