June 23rd Ribbon Cutting and Festivities at the Paddle-Picnic-Yoga Family Event at Rainy Lake Visitor Center
The public is invited to witness the opening of Voyageurs National Park’s new launching dock for paddlers on Saturday, June 23. The new launching dock is made possible with support from REI and Voyageurs National Park Association. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place during the Paddle-Picnic-Yoga for Families celebration at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center picnic area, located near the boat launch and new paddle launch. Guests can pack a snack and join Voyageurs National Park Association for an afternoon outdoors in Minnesota’s national park. There will be canoes and kayaks for anyone to use, hot dogs on the grill, family-friendly yoga, and lawn games.
When
Saturday, June 23, 2018, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm
11:00 am: Ribbon cutting
11:30 am - 1:30 pm: Outdoor activities including canoes/kayaks available to use, lawn games, family-friendly yoga at 12:30
Where
Rainy Lake Visitor Center, Voyageurs National Park (picnic area located near the boat launch and new paddle launch)
Voyageurs National Park Association’s Paddle-Picnic-Yoga event partners include: REI, Voyageurs Outfitters, Community Wellness Action Council, and Replenish Yoga and Wellness.
About the New Paddle Launch
REI works to reduce the barriers to life outside. Since 1976, REI and The REI Foundation have invested more than $87 million in organizations across the country that share our goal of creating access to outdoor places and enabling transformational experiences in the outdoors for all people. Voyageurs National Park Association and the National Park Service are proud to partner with REI to make this new recreation project possible.
Previously, paddlers launching at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center had to share a launch area with visitors using motorized boats causing safety issues. The new dock will make it safer and more enjoyable for paddlers to begin their Voyageurs National Park adventure, provide a gear staging area, and ease congestion for other boats at the main launch.
Special thanks to the Park Service team that constructed the new launch:
Bill Johnson
Mark Goulet
Keith Stevens
Brad King
Garrett King
John Sloan
Von Morgan
