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Proposal would bring kayaks, canoes, paddleboats to Lake Leota

EVANSVILLE — Park users could rent kayaks, canoes and paddleboats at Lake Leota this summer if the city approves a rental business.

Evansville resident Robert Tierney proposed the boat rental business at last month's park board meeting. The board liked the idea and told him to return with a formal presentation at the board's 6 p.m. meeting Monday at City Hall, 31 S. Madison St.

Park board Chairwoman Janis Ringhand said such a business would be a great addition to the park.

"Hopefully it's something that's very workable and reasonable," she said.

Tierney could not be reached for comment, but Ringhand described his proposal, as presented at last month's meeting.

His business wouldn't require a structure but would need to anchor or chain down equipment near the warming house on the south side of the lake, she said.

"(He) didn't feel he needed an indoor facility," she said.

The business would operate seven days a week during daylight hours, renting canoes, kayaks and paddleboats.

Once the lake is stocked with fish, the business could sell bait, she said.

The park board will discuss the proposal, Ringhand said, but the board likely will have the city attorney and administrator review it.

The important thing for a business would be liability insurance, she said.

"It all really falls on their shoulders, so we need to see liability insurance," she said.

Liability waivers would have to be signed by users, she said.

The city would have to charge rent for the business to operate in the park, but the amount hasn't been determined, Ringhand said. The amount would take into account that it's a new small business, the amount of space the business would use and the amount of city oversight required, she said.

Lake Leota was drained in 2005 and sat empty until this winter when it was dredged. The Save Our Lake Environment group is working on a three-year fish-stocking program.