SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Springfield-Greene County Park Board celebrates the opening of boat rental season at Lake Springfield Park Thurs., April 15, with announcement of a major donation from Bass Pro Shops. Representatives from the Park Board, the City of Springfield, Greene County and Bass Pro Shops will be on-hand for the donation presentation, benefiting the Park Board’s popular boat rental program, which saw the busiest year ever in 2020, as well as guided paddling programs.

Details of the donation will be announced at the presentation, which takes place on the deck of Lake Springfield Boathouse at 3 p.m. Media is invited to attend. Face coverings and social distancing are required.

Lake Springfield Park’s 2021 rental season opens Thursday at 9 a.m.. Anyone 18 yrs. and older may rent kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards from Lake Springfield Boathouse, open daily through Oct. 15. Details at ParkBoard.org/LakeSpringfield.

Starting in May, the Park Board launches two new paddling programs at Lake Springfield Park.

Intro to Kayaking begins May 15-16, teaching beginner safety tips and paddle strokes before getting out on the lake for guided practice time. The program continues on select weekends through July 10. 

Also starting May 15-16, the Park Board program offers new shuttle service to the Crighton Access on the James River. On select weekends through July 10, paddlers renting boats from Lake Springfield Boathouse may be shuttled to Crighton Access, about 5 miles upstream on the James River, and float back to Lake Springfield Park, a trip that takes 3-4 hours. Park Board staff will accompany paddlers on this trip. More information on these experiences is at ParkBoard.org/Outdoor.   

Lake Springfield Park processed more than 4,000 canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals in 2020, up 25 percent over 2019 — despite the season opening a month late due to pandemic-related closures. The Park Board is anticipating another busy season this year. 

For media inquiries, contact Jenny Fillmer Edwards, Public Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, at 417-224-5510; or Faith Roane, Bass Pro Communications, at 901-406-9504.

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