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Launched

By R. R. Branstrom 4 min read

ESCANABA -- A new recreation opportunity is available to residents and visitors of Delta County. As of Sept. 26 -- last Saturday -- kayaks are available to rent right near the boat launch at Pioneer Trail Park.

Initial reaction to the addition has been positive, said Delta County Park Manager Heather LeDuc. In the first five days, 10 bookings were made, and users reportedly commented on the ease of renting and having a "wonderful time on the water," LeDuc said.

Pioneer Trail Park & Campground is a 74-acre parcel on the Escanaba River, just on the north side of the Tom Casperson Memorial Bridge between Escanaba and Gladstone. In addition to the sites for people camping overnight, the spot is popular for recreational daytime activities, featuring a disc golf course, pavilions, a boat launch, a playground and ballfield. The site is on ancestral land frequented by Great Lakes tribes who hunted along the river, possibly as far back as 10,000 years ago. Walking paths forged by the ancestors of the Chippewa and other Anishinaabeg peoples were later used by French missionaries and white settlers, so the name "Pioneer trail" stuck when the property became a park in 1927.

The destination is now operated and maintained by the Delta County Parks and Recreation Department along with OB Fuller Park and Campground, Rapid River Falls Park, Sac Bay Park and the County Forestland.

A five-year recreation plan adopted by the county this January took into account survey responses by local residents. The second-highest priority identified by respondents -- after trail infrastructure -- was greater water access, "and this kayak kiosk answers that call," noted LeDuc.

"Despite Delta County’s abundant water resources, survey respondents identified significant opportunities for improved water access. Water-related activities including kayaking, fishing, and swimming ranked among the top recreational activities, yet 59% of respondents requested expanded access to lakes and rivers for fishing, swimming, or paddling," states the rec plan for 2026 to 2030. "Many respondents noted 'underutilized waterfront' areas, suggesting the need to leverage the county’s greatest natural asset through improved access points and facilities."

The boat launch at Pioneer Trail provides both anglers and casual paddlers with a wetlands environment full of life. Plenty of people bring their own watercraft to launch onto the river, but many visitors who. Might enjoy kayaking do not have their own.

"The Parks have owned kayaks for over 10 years and they weren’t being utilized," LeDuc said, "Many visitors have asked, and last year, the (Parks and Recreation Commission) board, Administrator (Emily) DeSalvo and I came up with this agreement to bring this recreational opportunity to the community."

The Delta County Board of Commissioners approved the proposal in May of 2026.

The specific opportunity that they settled on was the installation of a kayak rental kiosk from Rent.Fun. Too use a kayak, guests must download a smartphone application called "Movatic." There are options for booking for set amounts of time or signing up for a year to use any Rent-Fun kiosk. Payment is made through the app, and once a rental is approved, a locker holding the kayak and gear pops open.

In addition to the ten-foot, single-seater sit-on Pelican kayak, each locker also holds one kayak paddle and two life jackets -- one sized for medium to small builds, the other for large to 2X.

All watergoing vessels, including kayaks, are required by Michigan law to have one life jacket or other flotation device for each person, either worn on their body or carried on board.

The nine older park-owned kayaks will now just be used for "river clean ups, restoration projects, flora and fauna studies, brochure development, etc. by park staff," LeDuc said.

The agreement with Rent.Fun is for five years. A grant covers at least half of the cost of the $33,000 rental kiosk implementation. From each booking, most of the rental fee goes back to Rent.Fun, but 30% goes to the park system.

"Delta County Parks does not receive tax dollars to operate and maintain our parks, so we depend on the revenue we generate. Our new kayak kiosk at Pioneer Trail Park is a great example of reinvesting those dollars into the community--creating more opportunities for people to get outdoors, paddle the Escanaba River, and enjoy our beautiful area," LeDuc said.

Starting at /week.