Kiosk on Fox River in East Dundee rents kayaks by the hour, day or week

The final piece of the East Dundee renovation of Bartels Park on the Fox River — a self-service, app-automated kiosk for renting kayaks — is ready for use.

“We hope this increases intergenerational outdoor rec opportunities and brings fun to the community,” said Tim Waldron, an operations manager for Rent.Fun.

Waldron installed the camera-monitored, solar-powered kiosk that holds six single-rider kayaks and two tandem models.

Kayak rentals cost $25 for two hours and $40 for four hours. People who become Rent.Fun members for $99 a year can rent kayaks at any location for $50 a day and $60 a week.

“It’s like owning a kayak, but without needing a place of your own to keep it,” Waldron said.

East Dundee signed a $35,000 contract with the Michigan-based company for the amenity and will receive 30% of the kiosk’s annual rental revenue.

The kiosk stands in a shaded area adjacent to a handicapped-accessible, motorless watercraft launch that opened in September 2025. It is one of five launches Kane County funded with $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Earlier this year, East Dundee completed a redesign of the section of Water Street along Bartels Park, making it one-way northbound and installing nine parking spaces. The village also moved street parking to the south side of Barrington Avenue near the park and banned parking on the north side.

The new kayak kiosk is open from dawn to dusk. Before using it, a renter must be 18 or older, download the company’s app at www.rent.fun and complete online paperwork, which includes a payment method and a liability waiver.

At the site, renters scan a QR code on the bay to unlock it. Each contains life jackets and paddles in addition to the kayak, which must be returned and relocked on time to avoid late fees. That means users must return to the launch where the kayak was rented or have a way to return it there, Waldron said.

The kayaks available are designed for beginners and intermediate-level users.

What makes the Fox River in East Dundee accommodating for novices is the lack of rapids, Waldron said. Still, he advised boaters to be aware of river currents and water levels. When the water is very low, large sandbars must be navigated, and larger people could get stuck in shallow areas, he said.

“You should also always tell others where you will be, and bring along a cell phone carried in some sort of protection,” Waldron said.

A “know before you go” sign posted near the kiosk mentions that the river’s current runs south, recommends paddling upstream so it’s easier to return, and advises kayakers to know the weather forecast and local safety procedures.

During a recent site visit, Kevin Page, Rent.Fun’s national operations manager, stressed another important safety tip: “Always kayak with a vest on,” he said.

The East Dundee kiosk is the company’s 20th location in Illinois. Locally, there’s another operating in the Cambridge Lakes subdivision in Pingree Grove, Page said.

Rent.fun was founded in 2021 by software firm Movatic and has grown to include setups at more than 300 spots across the U.S. In addition to kayaks, Rent.Fun rents bikes, paddleboards, pickleball gear and lawn games.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.