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Commission approves CrownDaddy kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals at Ada Hayden
Summary
The Ames Parks and Recreation Commission approved a request from CrownDaddy (doing business as CrawDaddyy/CrownDaddy Outdoors) to run seasonal kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals at Ada Hayden Heritage Park, including a trailer on site and a 10% gross-sales contribution to Parks and Recreation; vendor commits to safety training and accessible equipment if grant funding is secured.
The Ames Parks and Recreation Commission voted Dec. 18 to approve a seasonal rental operation from CrownDaddy (branded in the record as CrawDaddyy/CrownDaddy Outdoors) to offer kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals at Ada Hayden Heritage Park from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with typical weekend hours and possible Wednesday-night floats.
Staff introduced the proposal and said it would be similar to prior long-term rentals at the park; the written materials presented to the commission listed Saturday and Sunday rentals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the vendor exploring additional midweek programming. The commission also noted the vendor requested permission to park a 23-foot enclosed trailer at the park to store and stage equipment; staff indicated that trailer parking was a staff-level permission rather than a commission action.
Owner Jamie Borglum addressed the commission, describing a 20-year retail operation and a demo fleet intended to let customers 'try before you buy.' He said the business would supply life jackets and train staff in basic water safety and CPR. 'Everybody is required to have a life jacket on, at all times,' Borglum told commissioners during his presentation.
Borglum said the operation would typically have two staff on site at launch, that rental rates and fleet mix would include fishing kayaks and pedal-drive models, and that the vendor would provide a 10% gross-sales contribution to Parks and Recreation (a practice the commission noted previous vendors had requested to waive). He also said he is applying for a grant that, if awarded, would allow the purchase of an ADA-accessible kayak for rental.
Commissioner discussion focused on logistics, public safety and vendor responsibilities during special events; staff confirmed vendors would be expected to move trailers for events such as the Ames Triathlon. The commission approved the staff-recommended alternative and voted to authorize the rental agreement proposed by staff, effective May 23–Sept. 7, 2026.
Next steps for the vendor and staff include confirming trailer parking details with operations staff, finalizing insurance and safety documentation, and coordinating dates that require the vendor to vacate park staging areas for city events.
