Sweet summertime is right around the corner, which means local canoe and kayak liveries are getting geared up to put sun-thirsty folks on the river. Here's a few regional businesses' plans for their coronavirus-related regulations and openings this season.
Green Acres Canoe Rental
Green Acres Canoe hopes to open mid-May, and it will only rent out single-person, sit-on-top kayaks, according to its website. Currently unavailable rentals include canoes, rafts, tandem kayaks and tubes. Additionally, minors are not allowed to participate, and dogs are not permitted.
To ensure social distancing, only its eight-mile trip will be available. Social distancing markers and signs have been placed around its facility to remind customers to stay separated. Green Acres will only permit online rental ticket purchases to limit interaction between customers and staff. It plans to monitor staff temperatures daily. Though face masks are not required, the company has made them available for purchase.
Its protocol for customers’ submission of required waivers is designed to further limit the spread of coronavirus. These measures include the installation of a sneeze guard, sterilized pens and a drop-off box for waivers. The company’s bus, which can hold 84 passengers, is limited to 35 percent of its capacity. Bus windows will remain open for ventilation, and passenger seating will be staggered so that every other seat is used. The bus, bathrooms and rental equipment will be cleaned and disinfected between uses. The food truck, food court and its other “close gathering areas” will remain closed. 10465 Suspension Bridge Road, Harrison, greenacrescanoe.com.
Loveland Canoe and Kayak
Loveland Canoe and Kayak is open for business and currently offers one trip: the “Castle Adventure Trip.” Check-in will be performed outside, as the building is closed to the public. Restrooms, however, remain open. Minors and dogs are not permitted, but children may be able to participate at a later date once the company is sure that it can maintain safe practices, according to its Facebook page. Both single-person kayaks and tandem kayaks are available for rent. Equipment and vehicles will be sanitized between uses. Similar to other kayaking companies, its buses and shuttle vehicles will have a reduced capacity. Face masks are required for bus and shuttle trips. 174 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, lovelandcanoe.com.
Morgan’s Canoe and Outdoor Adventures
According to its website, Morgan’s Canoe and Outdoor Adventures was approved to open May 9 by the Franklin County Commissioners. Morgan’s requests that all transactions are made online to limit contact between patrons and staff, but walk-ins may be accommodated depending on its bus and facility capacity. Only its eigh- mile trip, “Brookville,” will be available. Canoes, kayaks and rafts can be rented, but rafts will only be rented out to families that live together. These boats, in addition to paddles and life jackets, will be cleaned and sanitized between uses.
Only one representative per group of customers is allowed inside the check-in building. Inside, staff are required to wear masks. Card readers, pens and iPads will be sanitized between uses. Limited to three people at a time, restrooms will be disinfected every hour. Both guests and staff are required to wash their hands after using the restroom (that should go without saying).
Transportation such as buses and vans will be sanitized between uses. Additionally, Morgan’s buses’ capacities are limited to 35 percent. Windows will stay down to ensure proper ventilation. Drivers are required to wear masks. 5701 OH-350, Oregonia, morganscanoe.com.
Scenic River Canoe Excursions
Scenic River expects to open next week, according to its Facebook page. Only single-person kayaks will be available to rent, and its 8.5-mile trail, “Remington’s Run,” is the only available trail. Reservations can only be made online (its website will be live later this week). Dogs are not permitted, and no minors may participate.
Additionally, bus passengers are to occupy every other seat, and bus windows will stay down for ventilation. Customers are also not permitted to bring their own equipment until further notice. The company plans to sanitize its buses, life jackets, kayaks and paddles between uses. Face masks are not required. 4595 Round Bottom Road, Terrace Park, scenicrivercanoe.com.
Tipppecanoe and Kayaks Too
Tippecanoe and Kayaks Too will open for business Saturday. According to an email from owner Kile Genslinger, the business will implement social distancing markers inside its check-in building, and its staff will wear masks where appropriate. Customers are limited to a maximum of four in the check-in building and are asked to wear masks inside, and the business asks that reservations and waivers are made and signed online. Dogs are not permitted.
Tippecanoe and Kayaks Too will disinfect all equipment and vehicles between uses, including boats, vehicles, paddles and life jackets, and hand sanitizer will be available at its high-traffic locations. Its 7.5, 17 and 25-mile trips will be available, according to its Facebook page.
To maintain social distancing, only single-person and tandem kayaks will be available for rent. Canoes and tubes will not be rented out. The business’ buses are limited to 35 percent of their 15- person capacity. Bus windows will remain open for ventilation. Additionally, drivers and passengers are required to wear face-coverings. 9630 Hamilton Cleves Pike Road, Harrison, tippecanoeandkayakstoo.com.
