Mississippi River Paddle Share is the first-of-its-kind kayak sharing system in a national park!
Paddle Share is a collaborative program developed to increase opportunities for people to get on the Mississippi River. Although the river passes through the Twin Cities, it is rarely utilized for recreation. Paddle Share was established to encourage kayaking on the river and to reduce the need to own a boat or a vehicle to have an on-water experience. It is the first of-its-kind system in a national park, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area!
The system is a one-way kayak rental. Reservations are made through our website. Users select the route they would like to paddle and go to the rental location. Their access code will unlock the designated locker, which contains a kayak, paddle, and life jacket. Once on the water, there is plenty of time to leisurely paddle and explore the sites along the route. Then the equipment is returned to the corresponding locker at the return station downriver. Since users conclude the ride at a different location, public transportation, bike share, and ride share can help them return to their original location. They can also utilize two personal vehicles, one at the start and one at the finish. Using Paddle Share eliminates the need to transport the kayak and adds to the system of alternative transportation and recreation offered along the Mississippi River.
The National Park Service funded the purchase of the stations and equipment. Mississippi Park Connection, Three Rivers Park District, and the City of Saint Paul own the equipment. REI and other sources provided grants to assist with the operations and maintenance of the system. The kayaks are made in Minnesota by Current Designs.
Partners
Mississippi Park Connection is the nonprofit partner of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Their support sustains Paddle Share.
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is a 72-mile national park, binding together more than 85 state, regional, and local parks from Coon Rapids to Hastings along the Mississippi River. National Park Service rangers utilize the Paddle Share system for public programming. Check the calendar for event listings.
The City of Brooklyn Park hosts a station at River Park.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board hosts stations throughout the park system.
The City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation hosts the only Paddle Share lake station. Located at Pickerel Lake in Lilydale Regional Park, this station also offers adaptive equipment.
The mission of Three Rivers Park District is to promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system. They host a Paddle Share station at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park.
