Many years ago Crystal Beach Lake was filled with boats. This year, the tradition returns as paddle boats are now available for rental.
Rick Phillips and his son Tyler have started a company that provides paddle boats for people who want to have fun on Crystal Beach Lake.
The boats were first available over the weekend.
“We got rained out on Saturday,” Phillips said, “but we had quite a few people on Sunday afternoon and evening.”
Phillips said there is enough room in the boats for two adults and a small child, but that typically only two people ride at a time.
The boats are of the peddle variety, in which people move around the lake by their own force. The mechanism used to move the boats is “just like a bicycle pedal,” Phillips said.
A tent is set up near where the boats are docked, just to the north of the small bridge near the golf course. This is the place where they can be rented.
There are six boats available, but Phillips said he is hoping to get one more in time for this weekend.
With the large Let Freedom Ring 2009 celebration on tap, Phillips expects to be busy. His business will be open on Thursday and Friday beginning at noon. On Saturday and Sunday Phillips said he expects to be open all day.
Paddle boats will be available for rental throughout the summer. Phillips said people can rent the boats in the evenings on weekdays beginning around 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. and on the weekend beginning in the afternoon.
“They used to be here a long time ago and we decided to bring them back,” Phillips said. “It’s something to add entertainment to the park.”
“This is what everyone has wanted for so long,” said Debbie Hickman, events coordinator for the Woodward Tourism and Convention Bureau.
The Tourism and Convention Bureau helped Phillips with starting the paddle boat business as a way to help draw even more people to the park. Hickman said responses from the public have been positive as they are excited to see boats return to Crystal Beach Lake after so many years away.
Life jackets are furnished for all riders on the boats. The cost for a 30 minute boat ride is $10.
