Warsaw Parks Superintendent Larry Pummer (R) talks about the two new kayak kiosks available at two city parks. Plummer said he’s been told Warsaw is the first city in Indiana to have the automated service. Pictured in the background (L-R) are Scott Wiley, Scott Clay and Mayor Joe Thallemer. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

Pictured (L to R, beginning with three seated in kayaks) are Leo Patino, Ivy Tech; Shaun Gardner, Warsaw Parks Department maintenance director; and Scott Clay, NAPA Auto Parts, Chamber ambassador. In the back row, Scott Wiley, member relations manager for the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce; Chris Scheeren, Blue Barn Berry Farm, Chamber ambassador; Andrew Wade, Lake City Bank, Chamber ambassador; Scott Allison, W.R. Hall Insurance, Chamber ambassador; Larry Plummer, Warsaw Parks and Recreation superintendent; Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer; Corbin Holtsberry, Lake City Bank, Chamber ambassador; Steve Haines, Warsaw Parks Board president; Rusty Martinez, Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams; Dawn Jaggers (holding her dog, Molly) American Family Insurance, Chamber ambassador; Glenn Hall, Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, Chamber ambassador; Heather Lardino, 1st Source Bank, Chamber ambassador, Larry Ladd, Parks Board vice president; and Rob Parker, Chamber president and CEO.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Larry Plummer had a hunch that renting kayaks at two of the city’s parks could prove popular. After one week, it looks as if the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Superintendent was correct.

In what is believed to be the first city in Indiana to do so, Warsaw officials on Tuesday, June 7, celebrated the establishment of an automated kayak kiosk service at Center Lake and Pike Lake with a ribbon-cutting at the Center Lake Pavilion.

The rental service relies on an online app that allows users to access kayaks and other equipment at an hourly rate. One hour of use will cost $15. Four hours is $40.

The service is provided by RentFun.com, which allows users to access and rent the kayaks with the use of an app. Details of how to do that are posted on the kiosk.

Plummer said officials with RentFun told him it’s the first such kiosk in Indiana. The program began in Ohio where kiosks are now being established in state parks.

Plummer began investigating the idea and reached out to the parks department in Toledo, Ohio, which was the first community to use the system. The reaction there was strong, he said.

The city worked with the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission to secure the $29,600 in funding from the county’s innkeeper’s tax revenue to pay for the kiosks at Center and Pike.

The cages that house the kayaks and equipment were recently installed with minimal publicity.

In the first seven days, 63 people rented the new kayaks, Plummer said.

Plummer said the service is a game-changer.

While many people would probably like to try using a kayak, the cost of buying one and the complications of transporting them have prevented many from trying it. With the new service, that’s no longer a problem.

“This gives everybody an opportunity to come to the lake, use a kayak and enjoy it whether they own one or not,” Plummer said.

Mayor Joe Thallemer was one of many at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I’m stunned by how many people have rented these already,” Thallemer said

The online system keeps records of all users to ensure they return the equipment. Cameras are also set up to monitor activities around the kiosks, Plummer said.