Rimsie McConiga
Special to the Citizen
Float the Duck’s Head has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28.
The event was originally set for Aug. 24 but was cancelled due to predicted flood conditions on the Platte River.
Platte County Parks and Recreation will provide shuttle transportation for the float trip. Floaters can drop their boats and equipment at the start point at Sharp’s Station, 16995 Interurban Road, then park at the Duck’s Head at Platte Falls Conservation area near Platte City, 15665 Knighton Road. A shuttle bus will leave the parking lot at 8:30 a.m. No boats are permitted on the bus.
This is the first year for the event on the Platte River. Parks and Recreation hosted float trips for five years on the Missouri River, but Missouri River launches have been closed this year due to flooding.
This event is a “bring your own” event as far as canoes, kayaks, paddles or life preservers, but kayaks were available for rental from KC Kayak and Canoe while supplies lasted.
Parks and Recreation assistant director Chris Oryshyn said he will help people get into the boats on the day of the event.
“We are renting out 24 kayaks through local partnerships, but it’s amazing how many people have their own boats,” he said.
The name Duck’s Head comes from the shape of the area, which when seen from above resembles the head of a duck.
The trip begins at 9 a.m. and will take about 3.5 hours and cover 7.75 miles.
An added bonus includes free t-shirts to all those who sign up before Saturday, Sept. 21. The shirts will be available at the Platte County Parks table after the float concludes.
Oryshyn encourages people to sign up quickly as the spots are filling up fast.
“We have a pretty good mix of people who have signed up so far,” Oryshyn said. “There will more time to enjoy the float on the Platte River than there was on the Missouri River. I like being able to provide recreational opportunities to the community. This one is unique.”
After the float there will be a cookout at noon in the Duck’s Head parking lot sponsored by Jack Laney with Remax Revolution.
Oryshyn said marketing and program coordinator Jackie Halloran helped organize the event.
“She does standup paddle boarding and she really helped to organize the float trip,” Oryshyn said. “She is very involved and embedded in the community.”
For more information contact Jackie Halloran at 858-3419 or jackie.halloran@co.platte.mo.us.