The University of Minnesota Extension Regional Sustainable Development Partnership, the City of Crookston, Crookston Community Development and Housing, and Crookston Park and Rec have teamed up to offer the Wednesday on the Water event on Wednesday, August 7.
The free event will allow people to canoe or kayak the Red Lake River in Crookston. “It should be a lot of fun getting folks out on the water, whether they are experienced or haven’t done it before. We will have folks who can help them get in,” said Shannon Stassen, one of the event organizers. “The bonus about here in Crookston paddling is that if you are a beginner, it’s a safe and easy paddle. We are encouraging folks, especially those who haven’t done it, to check things out. We will help you get in the water and have people paddling beside you. It is a short trip, about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes.”
Equipment (Canoes/Kayaks) are made available by the University of Minnesota Crookston and Oliver’s Canoe Outfitters. “Travis Oliver has some canoes and kayaks available and Michelle Christopherson is working with UMC to get all of their boats as well,” said Stassen. “We are asking folks that are avid canoers to join us, but if you’re willing to help somebody else, use your watercraft, and get out there, that’s great too. We will have folks to help you get in.” Stassen added you should expect to get your feet wet.
All participants are asked to be ready in Central Park at 5:45 p.m. There will be a carpool to the starting location at the Highway 2/Highway 9 launch, which will end in Central Park. “We will get everybody in the water about 6:00 p.m.,” said Stassen. “Depending on the speed of the water, it’s a little over an hour, so we will be off the water well before dark. There will be mosquitos, so be ready for that. It is just beautiful on the water. We are fortunate to have this river and everything you will see out there.”
The route will follow the current, but it will still take some paddling and some physical activity to get to Central Park. “You’re going with the current into Central Park, so that is a great thing. You can paddle pretty lightly, and you’ll get there,” said Stassen. If you really want to get a workout, you can probably do it in 50 minutes. It’s a fairly light workout, almost all upper body with a fair amount of exercise involved, but the current will help you out.”
There are a limited number of watercraft available, so anybody interested in participating in the Wednesday on the Water event should call or text Stassen at 218-280-1347 to reserve a canoe or kayak. “Reach out early,” said Stassen. “We didn’t say we are shutting down registration, but there is a point where we are going to be full, and if you reach out Tuesday and say I want to get in, we will do our best, but we might have everything booked up by then. The sooner, the better.”
