Rent Skateboards, Camping Gear, Yard Games + More for Free in Grand Rapids

Heads up if you're looking to get active and enjoy the great outdoors this summer!

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Did you know Grand Rapids has a community library for outdoor gear? The Thrive Outside Gear Library at Roosevelt Park Gym is free and open to all Grand Rapids residents. The Gear Library officially opened last summer - and its grown a ton since then!

You can check out items like hiking backpacks, compasses, grilling kits, first aid kits, hammocks, tents, coolers, camping chairs, clothing, footwear, yard games like ladderball and cornhole, and more!

Check out all the cool things you can rent for FREE in the gallery below!

New this year, you can now rent skateboards, certified safe helmets, knee, wrist, and elbow pads that were donated by Premier Skate.

If you're looking for info on the great outdoors, the Gear Library has books on camp cooking, birding, hiking trails, how-to guides, and nature stories, donated by the Grand Rapids Public Library, that you can check out too.

The rental program is made possible by the Thrive Outside Grand Rapids initiative along with GR's Parks and Recreation department and other community partners. Grant support for the initiative was awarded in 2019 by the Outdoor Foundation.

Thrive Outside GR believes all Grand Rapids youth should have equitable access to natural places and spaces for a happy and healthy life. Their aim is to create outdoor adventure opportunities, particularly for people of color and in neighborhoods with a lack of green space.

The Gear Library is located at 739 Van Raalte Dr. SW at the Roosevelt Park Gym.

To rent from the Thrive Outside Gear Library, Grand Rapids residents can get a free membership and will go through a 10-15 minute orientation.