Earlier this month, Lyon County Environmental Administrator Roger Schroeder submitted a proposal to commissioners to apply for boat rental equipment for Twin Lakes Park. The grant would purchase kayaks and a pedal boat that could be used by visitors.

The plan for the boating equipment was that it would be available to park visitors for free during times when there is a campground host present, Schroeder said. This year, that would include weekends and major holidays during the camping season.

The commissioners were receptive to the idea, but directed Schroeder to add safety gear such as life jackets.

“If you’re going to offer this, you’d better have some life preservers built into this,” Commissioner Rick Anderson said.

During last week’s meeting, Schroeder went before the commissioners and proposed that the county apply for a roughly $29,700 grant to buy an iPaddlePort system. Schroeder said this system is similar to one already being used at Plum Creek Park in Redwood County. Park visitors could rent kayaks or paddle boards through an online service, and unlock them from a stall at the park with a keypad code. The rental kayaks or paddle boards would come with life jackets.

Give Anderson credit for his recommendation to add the safety gear.

According to the americanboating.org, there was a 25% increase in U.S. boating deaths in 2020 from 2019.

According to several boating news outlets, many victims in fatal boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.

Let’s face it, the renting of kayaks and the pedal boat at Twin Lakes Park will probably attract people with little experience in handling such water crafts. The life jackets will hopefully reduce the chances of an accident that results in injury or death.

The board made a good decision in approving the quest to add the iPaddlePort system to Twin Lakes Park. It will add an amenity to the park that will hopefully attract more park users.

And thanks to the life jackets — these users will operate the boats safely.