The outdoor nonprofit Venture Outdoors will return for a second season of kayaking in Sharpsburg.
Sharpsburg Council voted 6-0 Jan. 26 to allow Venture Outdoors to use the James Sharp Landing for a Kayak Pittsburgh rental site this summer.
Councilwoman Kayla Portis was absent.
Venture Outdoors launched a pilot rental program in Sharpsburg last year. The organization’s Director of Paddlesport Luke Borowy said he did not have exact program figures available, but it was successful enough to warrant a return.
“We had a lot of interest, a lot of people boating,” he said after the council’s vote.
“It’s a great community to work with,” Borowy said. “We’re really happy to work with the local businesses and groups, and we’re just excited to get the community outdoors again.
The preliminary schedule is 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Sharpsburg residents will continue to receive a 15% discount on all rentals.
Borowy said he was not sure which of last year’s programs would return or if more days would be added to the second season schedule.
“We’re still planning our summer calendar. … To start off, we’ll start on weekends and adjust as needed.”
Mayor Brittany Reno said she is delighted for the community’s opportunity to get back out on the water.
“Anything to get more people enjoying the river, appreciating the river is something that’s exciting to me,” Reno said.
“It’s great to see that space activated even more and to see more people know that it’s there and making use of it,” she said. “The river is one of our best assets in the community, but we don’t always give it the attention that it deserves.”
The mayor went kayaking as part of a bridal party last year.
“I love kayaking,” she said. “To be able to go out on the water launching from the town that I love is indescribable. I was giddy.”
Reno was recently named to Venture Outdoors board of directors, but did not vote on the nonprofit’s use of the landing.
Venture Outdoors was founded in Pittsburgh in 2001. The organization’s staff and volunteers typically lead more than 900 trips with thousands of participants each season.
More information about Venture Outdoors and kayaking options is available at ventureoutdoors.org.
