Paddle Share Station

Key Highlights

• ✓Acknowledged as a place where families can 'hang out all the time without any worries', indicating a high level of comfort and perceived safety for children.
• ✓Explicitly stated as 'Kid & pet friendly', a unique feature allowing families to bring their furry companions along for their visit.
• ✓Highly suitable for 'family gatherings', implying it can accommodate groups and facilitate social interactions with ease.

Standout Features

• ⭐The pet-friendly policy, which is a rare amenity for family entertainment venues, allowing families to include their pets in their outings.
• ⭐An atmosphere that promotes a 'without any worries' state for parents, suggesting a safe, manageable, and relaxed environment for children.
• ⭐Its suitability for 'family gatherings', implying it has the space or setup to comfortably host groups of various sizes.

Ideal For

🍎Food Policy

• • For paddling trips, it is suggested to bring water, snacks, and a bagged lunch.

🛡️Safety Policy

• • Previous kayaking experience is required for river routes. Less experienced paddlers may consider a Tandem (double kayak) with an experienced paddler or making a reservation at the Pickerel Lake Station.
• • Float Plan: Inform a responsible friend about your kayaking itinerary and when your trip is over.
• • Life jackets are required and provided; they must be worn properly.
• • A Kayak Safety Video must be watched by first-time kayakers.
• • This is an unguided experience on the Mississippi River.
• • Paddling Tips: Keep towards the right of the river, stay out of the center of the main channel. Kayakers should yield to other boats. Head the bow (front) of the kayak into large boat wakes to prevent tipping. Keep a lookout for hazards such as bridge substructures, piers, partially submerged logs, trees, branches, rocks, or sandbars.
• • Paddle Share is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.
• • Weather Cancellation Policy (Paddle Share will close and issue automatic refunds if):
• • - High Water: River flow at HWY 610 in Brooklyn Park is over 25,000 CFS (cubic feet per second).
• • - Lightning: Strikes within 5 miles of the Lowry Avenue Bridge or the 35E Bridge. Paddlers hearing thunder or seeing lightning should immediately paddle to shore and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder.
• • - Temperature: Combined water and air temperature is less than 120°F (Water temperature must be at least 65°F).
• • - Wind: Consistent wind speed exceeds 20 mph.
• • Note: Paddle Share stations will NOT close for rain only.
• • Sanitation Protocols: Staff hand wash all life jackets after use. All hard surfaces (paddles, kayaks) are cleaned with CDC-approved cleaning agents after each use. All equipment is used only once in a 24-hour period to allow for cleaning and rest.

📅Booking Policy

• • Kayaks must be rented online.
• • Reservations can be made up to 21 days in advance.
• • An access code is sent to your email before your start time (check spam folder).
• • Booking early is recommended for weekend reservations.
• • Rental lockers will only open after the reservation start time.
• • Kayaks must be returned to the locker by the designated ending time (for river routes).
• • Reservation windows are longer than in previous years for staggered start times.

🚗Parking Information

• • For river routes, it is recommended to use two cars and park one vehicle at the end location and drive the other to the starting point.
• • Float Fest Parking:
• • - Carl W. Kroening Nature Center (Pre-Event, Informative Nature Walk): 4900 Mississippi Ct, Minneapolis, MN 55430 (Free Parking).
• • - Boom Island (Kayak Return): 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 (Paid Parking).
• • - Graco Park (Post Event Party!): 15 8th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 (Handicap Parking Available, Accessible Free Street Parking).