Minnesota Agencies Offer Winter Rental & Borrowing Programs

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

In order to encourage residents to enjoy the great outdoors during the winter months, many agencies have created rental and borrowing programs. This helps community members have access to equipment during all hours of the day.

Snowshoe Rentals

Cottage Grove

With help from Cottage Grove’s park maintenance department, staff converted the kayak rental trailer to accommodate snowshoes. “Working in partnership with www.ipaddleport.com, Cottage Grove was the first location for self-service snowshoe rentals,” says Brad Muckenhirn, recreation supervisor for Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation. “The rental trailer, located at Oakwood Park, is a 36-acre park that provides rolling and hilly terrain, open space, trails through the woods and is home to the local 18-hole disc golf course. This location for the rental trailer is a great opportunity for the public to utilize a typically quiet park in the winter. “

Muckenhirn adds, “Providing self-served outdoor recreation amenities is a great way to create new opportunities for your community, while minimizing the need to staff buildings and offering rental windows throughout the entire day. Users have greater access to recreate when it fits their schedule. We hope to see a large user base take advantage of this winter activity.”

Sled Share Crystal

In 2021, the Crystal Public Works Department made an idea a reality by building a sled share at their legendary sledding hill at Valley Place Park. Inspired by the Little Free Libraries seen in many communities, the sled library provides sleds for anyone wishing to experience this excellent winter pastime. Like the library, the sled can be checked out, used, and returned for the next enthusiast to hit the hill.

Jesse McCaffrey, vice-chair for the Crystal Parks and Recreation Commission says, “The sled library at Valley Place Park is a great example of our city’s equityminded approach to recreation. Whether a kid forgot their sled or does not have one, the sled library allows everyone to play together. It also creates a space for conversations about sharing and kindness in our community.”

Crystal Parks and Recreation encourages the community to get involved by donating a sled and placing it directly in the sled library. In order to connect the community to this opportunity, the department hosted a sled drive during their outdoor event in February 2023.