Showcasing community’s greatest natural asset

FLOODWOOD, Minn.— Residents and visitors can now experience the beauty of northern Minnesota’s waterways thanks to a new self-service kayak rental program at the Floodwood Riverwalk Pavilion.

Located at 323 W. Railroad St., the station offers eight kayaks, with paddles and life jackets included with every rental. Users simply download the Rent.Fun app, create an account, scan the QR code at the kiosk and unlock a kayak for their adventure.

According to Floodwood Deputy Clerk Cory Suonvieri, the project grew from conversations with community members about the city’s greatest strengths.
“When we first hired our Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) representative, Jessica Pellinen, one of the first things she did was hold community meetings,” Cory said. “She wanted to learn what was important to residents, what our goals and vision were, and what people saw as our strengths and weaknesses.”
Those discussions consistently pointed to one resource. “Our rivers were identified as one of our greatest assets,” Cory said. “But many people who live here don’t own kayaks or have the opportunity to get out and enjoy them.”

Pellinen, Floodwood’s designated CEDA representative and regional manager, helped the city explore options for expanding recreational opportunities. She worked with city officials on grant strategies, project planning and community development efforts that eventually led to the kayak rental program. The CEDA partnership was made possible through funding from the Blandin Foundation.

Cory said the project was never intended to happen overnight. “We’ve been working on this for quite some time,” she said. “It was something the community felt was important because it benefits both our residents and visitors. It gives people another reason to come to Floodwood while also allowing those who live here to enjoy one of our best natural resources.”

The rental station was intentionally placed on the Floodwood River, which Cory describes as ideal for beginning and intermediate paddlers.
“The Floodwood River is perfect for kayaking,” she said. “You can paddle upstream and downstream without much difficulty.”
She cautioned that the nearby St. Louis River presents a much different experience.


“More experienced kayakers may choose to explore the St. Louis River, but depending on water levels and river flow, the current can be much stronger,” Cory said. “Paddling back upstream may be difficult or impractical, so we recommend that inexperienced paddlers stay on the Floodwood River where the current is slower.”

The city plans to include guidance at the rental station encouraging paddlers to choose a route that matches their experience level and to be aware of changing river conditions throughout the season.
Kayaks are available daily from sunrise to sunset. Rentals are $25 for up to two hours or $40 for up to four hours, with discounted daily and weekly rates available for GO members.

City officials hope the new amenity not only encourages outdoor recreation but also highlights one of Floodwood’s defining features.
“Our rivers are an incredible asset,” Cory said. “This is another way for people to experience everything Floodwood has to offer.”

How It Works: 1. Download the App and create your account in about 30 seconds.
2. Unlock Your Kayak. Scan the QR code at the rental station to unlock your kayak. Paddles and life jackets are included with every rental. 3. Enjoy Your Adventure Wear your life jacket at all times while on the water and enjoy exploring Floodwood’s beautiful waterways.
4. Return Your Equipment. Return your kayak to the rental station. In the app, select “Unlock” to dock the kayak, then choose “End Rental” and complete the return process.