Skip Navigation
*To search for student contact information, login to FlashLine and choose the "Directory" icon in the FlashLine masthead (blue bar).

<p>Kent State students enjoy an afternoon on the Cuyahoga River, kayaking from the new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park in downtown Kent, Ohio.</p>

Kent State students enjoy an afternoon on the Cuyahoga River, kayaking from the new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park in downtown Kent, Ohio.

<p><font><font size="2">Recreational Services employees unload canoes at John Brown Tannery Park, in downtown Kent, for an afternoon excursion on the Cuyahoga River.</font></font></p>

Recreational Services employees unload canoes at John Brown Tannery Park, in downtown Kent, for an afternoon excursion on the Cuyahoga River.

<p><font><font size="2">Participants review safety considerations before climbing into their canoes and kayaks for an adventure on the Cuyahoga River in downtown Kent, Ohio.</font></font></p>

Participants review safety considerations before climbing into their canoes and kayaks for an adventure on the Cuyahoga River in downtown Kent, Ohio.

<p><font><font size="2">Recreational Services employees launch kayaks into the river in downtown Kent, as part of a new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park.</font></font></p>

Recreational Services employees launch kayaks into the river in downtown Kent, as part of a new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park.

<p><font><font size="2">Kayakers pose for a photo after successfully navigating the Cuyahoga River from Kent to Munroe Falls, Ohio.</font></font></p>

Kayakers pose for a photo after successfully navigating the Cuyahoga River from Kent to Munroe Falls, Ohio.

  • <p>Kent State students enjoy an afternoon on the Cuyahoga River, kayaking from the new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park in downtown Kent, Ohio.</p>
  • <p><font><font size="2">Recreational Services employees unload canoes at John Brown Tannery Park, in downtown Kent, for an afternoon excursion on the Cuyahoga River.</font></font></p>
  • <p><font><font size="2">Participants review safety considerations before climbing into their canoes and kayaks for an adventure on the Cuyahoga River in downtown Kent, Ohio.</font></font></p>
  • <p><font><font size="2">Recreational Services employees launch kayaks into the river in downtown Kent, as part of a new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park.</font></font></p>
  • <p><font><font size="2">Kayakers pose for a photo after successfully navigating the Cuyahoga River from Kent to Munroe Falls, Ohio.</font></font></p>

Paddling on the River: Crooked River Adventures Opens

University Communications & Marketing
The Department of Recreational Services at Kent State University has announced the creation of a new canoe and kayak livery at John Brown Tannery Park in downtown Kent, Ohio, located at 100 Stow Street. This satellite facility, named Crooked River Adventures, provides Kent State students and members of the Kent community with a new form of recreation and leisure.

“This collaboration between the city of Kent and Kent State University is a prime example of how together, we can create a great opportunity that benefits everyone,” said Gretchen Julian, director of Recreational Services. “Local students, families and members of our community will really enjoy having such a unique operation right in their backyard.”

Crooked River Adventures, which started operations May 15 on the city of Kent’s “River Day 2010,” has been in the making for nearly two years. Aligned with the city’s hope of creating a whitewater park, this livery is the first significant step in making progress toward its development. This satellite facility also aligns with Kent State President Lester A. Lefton’s recent strategic vision of enhancing economic development and the quality of life locally, regionally and statewide from Kent State research and creative endeavors.

“The opening of Crooked River Adventures is our contribution to making the city of Kent a recreation destination,” said Kim Rufra, associate director of Recreational Services at Kent State. “We’re taking President Lefton’s ‘Excellence Agenda’ to heart by offering citizens of the city something that can’t be found anywhere else in the region.”

Crooked River Adventures has scheduled its grand opening on July 3, 2010, in conjunction with the city of Kent’s Heritage Festival. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, complete with free refreshments, will begin at 11 a.m.

In addition to two paddling excursions, Crooked River Adventures offers bicycle rentals for use along local trails, including The Portage Hike and Bike Trail. Bike rental fees are $5 per hour, with all bikes returned by 8 p.m.

The first paddling option starts at Tannery Park and finishes at Brust Park in Munroe Falls. At a total of 3.5 miles and taking paddlers two hours and 30 minutes to complete, two excursions are offered daily, departing at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Patrons can expect to pay $20 for a kayak rental or $18 per person per canoe rental.

The second paddling option starts at Tannery Park and finishes at Waterworks Park in Cuyahoga Falls. At a total of 5 miles and taking paddlers four hours to complete, one trip is offered daily at 12:30 p.m. Patrons can expect to pay $25 for a kayak rental or $23 per person per canoe rental. Both trips include return transportation to Tannery Park. Patrons must check-in 30 minutes prior to any departure for a safety briefing.

“We have created a win-win situation by offering affordable outdoor recreational opportunities at a convenient location,” said Dave Herpy, outdoor adventure and camp coordinator for Kent State’s Recreational Services. “The development of this livery operation services our greatest local natural resource – the Cuyahoga River. This is a dream come true!”

Crooked River Adventures also offers a “Paddle and Pedal” package, combining both rental options into one great excursion. For an additional $5 per person, patrons can rent a bike for two hours of use before or after their river excursion. The facility also offers group discounts by reservation only. Interested groups should call for details.

During the week (Monday through Thursday), trips and bike rentals are offered on a reservation basis. Patrons can call 330-541-7467 or visit www.kent.edu/crookedriver to place their requests. On the weekends (Friday through Sunday), Crooked River Adventures opens to patrons on a drop-in basis from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
The facility emphasizes several key educational components to its patrons, including safety and the “Leave No Trace” philosophy, which suggests ways that patrons can reduce their impact on the local environment.

“Crooked River Adventures has made it a part of our mission to instruct patrons on how to safely and properly navigate the river with minimal effect to the environment,” said Chris Hendricks, Kent State’s Adventure Center graduate assistant for Recreational Services. “All patrons will receive safety instruction by an ACA (American Canoe Association) certified boating instructor prior to their trip down river.”

The livery is under the supervision of the Department of Recreational Services’ Adventure Center. Since its creation in 1999, Kent State’s Adventure Center has more than 10 years of experience offering boating programming and renting equipment via its Outdoor Rental Center. In fact, the Adventure Center has received statewide recognition for its award-winning boating program from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft. Herpy, a Level 3 ACA Certified Instructor, oversees operations of the new facility.

The Department of Recreational Services at Kent State is proud to provide the students, faculty and staff of the university and members of the surrounding community with outstanding recreational, fitness and wellness opportunities. For more information about its facilities and program offerings, please call Recreational Services at 330-672-4REC or visit www.kent.edu/recservices.