Resident Randy urges Sunbury to pilot weekend riverfront events with kayaks and food trucks

At a Sunbury City Council work session, Randy, a local presenter, proposed a pilot program to bring weekend riverfront activity to the downtown riverfront: kayak and paddleboard rentals, small vendor food-truck gatherings and occasional live music.

“I think we’re missing a big opportunity to pull people off the river,” Randy said, offering to invest in seating and shade near the docks but noting he needs a formal agreement and insurance guidance before launching the effort. He described lower-risk watercraft such as kayaks and paddle boards rather than jet skis and suggested Friday–Sunday events to draw boaters and local visitors.

Council members responded by framing practical next steps. The mayor said the city should “get the legal paperwork done through Joel” and try a pilot weekend to test demand. A council member suggested coordinating with the new police officer as a resource for safety and permitting. Another member raised the need for limited, temporary parking or drop-off spaces near the docks to make launching kayaks and paddleboards easier, and for accessibility improvements to help anglers and visitors with mobility challenges.

Speakers also discussed operational details that would affect the pilot’s feasibility. Randy referenced an unmanned "kayak kiosk" model he’d seen elsewhere — users scan, watch a safety video, unlock equipment and sign out autonomously — as an option to reduce staff needs. Residents and councilors emphasized traffic safety, slower speeds on Front Street and litter control as concurrent issues to address if programming increases riverfront use.

The council did not take a formal vote. Next steps recorded at the session: Randy will work with city staff (Joel) on the necessary legal agreements and insurance requirements, the council will publicize an initial trial weekend if paperwork is completed, and the police will be available as a resource to advise on safety and enforcement.

The council moved on to other agenda items after agreeing in principle to pursue a limited, trial approach to riverfront activation.