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Here’s How You Can Kayak, Canoe, Or Paddleboard For Free With Metro Parks This Summer

In July, Prairie Oaks Metro Park is giving visitors a chance to get out and enjoy the water.

On the 4th of July, visitors can pop by to enjoy the day out on the lake. Canoes and kayaks will be available at the park for anyone to use. Canoes are open to all ages as long as there’s one adult per canoe.

Solo kayaks will be open to those ages 10+, with a weight limit of 275 lbs. In addition to the canoes and kayaks, life jackets will be provided for everyone to wear while on the water.

If you’ve got your own Type III life jacket, you are more than welcome to wear it.

On July 4, the canoes and kayaks will be available in the afternoon, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There’s no pre-registration for the watercraft, so they will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you want to spend the whole day in the area, there will be a 4th of July Parade through nearby Plain City starting at 10 a.m. There will be food and retail vendors at Past Time Park until 9 p.m., followed by the fireworks display at 9:45.

You can learn more about the 4th of July celebrations in Plain City by clicking right here.

via Facebook

If you enjoy your time on the lake, you can always head back on July 30 for Paddlefest. Both events are completely free to attend.

Paddlefest will include canoes and kayaks, but it will also include standup paddle boards! When you head out to the park for both the 4th of July and Paddlefest, you’ll want to head to the Darby Bend Lakes portion of Prairie Oaks Metro Park.

The park is located at 2755 Amity Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026. For more info about upcoming Metro Parks events, please visit metroparks.net.