BoardSafe Docks + HIVE PaddleSports create a complete waterfront experience on McMinnville’s Barren Fork River.

Riverfront Park in McMinnville, Tennessee, recently welcomed two new amenities designed to make getting on the Barren Fork River easier: a BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch and a HIVE PaddleSports self-service paddlecraft rental kiosk.

Together, they address two of the biggest barriers to getting people on the water: easy access to the river and convenient access to the paddlecraft experience.

Located at 120 Riverfront Street, Riverfront Park is already an important community destination, offering parking, restrooms, fishing, a playground, walking trails and access to the Barren Fork Greenway. Improvements to the waterfront, including the BoardSafe launch and HIVE kiosk, add another dimension to the park by making paddling more accessible and convenient for residents and visitors.

Better Access to the Water

A conventional boat ramp or unimproved shoreline may provide access to the river, but that does not necessarily mean it provides easy access for every paddler.

The BoardSafe Adaptive Kayak Launch creates a purpose-built entry and exit point designed specifically for paddling.

BoardSafe’s adaptive launch systems were developed with input from adaptive paddlers and incorporate features that can assist people of all abilities; different ages, and experience levels. 

It’s more than a place to put a kayak in the water. The result is infrastructure designed around independence, accessibility and a better paddling experience. When access is easier, more people have the opportunity to participate.

HIVE Removes Another Barrier: Getting the Equipment

Even the best kayak launch can’t help someone get on the water if they don’t have a kayak. That’s where HIVE PaddleSports makes the Riverfront Park project especially compelling.

HIVE’s self-service paddlecraft rental kiosk is located at the same park, allowing visitors to reserve and unlock paddlecraft using their smartphone. Equipment available through the rental experience includes single and tandem kayaks, paddles, and PFD’s with whistles.

There is no need to own a kayak, transport one on a vehicle, find space to store one at home or coordinate with a traditional rental opration.

The paddling experience at Riverfront Park becomes remarkably simple:

ARRIVE → RENT → LAUNCH → PADDLE → RETURN → EXPLORE McMINNVILLE

That convenience makes spontaneous recreation possible. A resident can decide to spend an afternoon on the river. A family visiting McMinnville can add paddling to its day. A first-time paddler can experience the Barren Fork without investing in equipment first.

From a Paddle to a Day in McMinnville

The benefits extend beyond Riverfront Park. McMinnville offers coffee shops, restaurants, shopping and other attractions that can turn a few hours on the Barren Fork into a full day in the community.

That connection between outdoor recreation and local tourism is important.

When communities make their natural resources easier to access, rivers become more than scenery. They become recreational destinations capable of attracting residents and visitors while encouraging people to spend more time exploring the surrounding community.

A Complete Waterfront Ecosystem

McMinnville didn’t simply add another recreational amenity. It created a more complete pathway to participation.

BoardSafe provides access to the water.
HIVE provides convenient access to the equipment and experience.
Riverfront Park provides the setting.
The Barren Fork River provides the adventure.

Together, those elements broaden the audience beyond experienced paddlers who already own and transport their own equipment.

The experience becomes more approachable for residents, visitors, families, beginners, older adults, and people with mobility challenges, as well as anyone who previously thought paddling required too much equipment, planning or preparation.

No kayak? No problem.
No trailer? No problem.
No roof rack? No problem.

Reserve. Unlock. Launch. Paddle.

That’s what makes the Riverfront Park project significant. It isn’t simply a kayak launch paired with a rental kiosk.

It’s a waterfront recreation ecosystem built around accessibility, convenience and community.

Where Access Meets Experience

BoardSafe Docks and HIVE PaddleSports share a vision for what public waterfront recreation can become when infrastructure and experience are considered together.

BoardSafe provides the access. HIVE provides the experience. McMinnville provides the adventure.

Built for Public Use. Engineered for Generations.

BoardSafe Docks designs, engineers and manufactures commercial waterfront infrastructure for communities and organizations looking for long-term solutions to complex waterfront access challenges.

From accessible kayak launches and floating docks to gangways, fishing piers and pedestrian bridges, BoardSafe approaches each waterfront as a complete system—considering the shoreline, elevation changes, accessibility, intended use and site-specific conditions.

Our capabilities include:

• Project-guided design and site-specific engineering
• Integrated gangway, dock, kayak launch and fishing pier systems
• Adaptive paddling products
• Accessibility expertise
• Solutions for complex shore-to-water transitions
• Pedestrian bridges and floating walkways
• Accessible fishing facilities
• Turnkey project capabilities

HIVE PaddleSports offers innovative, self service smartphone operated kiosk stations for convenient and effortless paddlecraft rental at waterfront parks. HIVE makes the experience of getting on the water easier and more enjoyable. HIVES structural and durable honeycomb design helps communities make the most out of their waterfront for the long term.

Two companies. One vision for the waterfront. One complete solution. An ecosystem offering access and experience. 

#BoardSafeDocks #HIVEPaddleSports #AccessYourAdventure #WaterfrontInfrastructure #AccessibletoAll #UniversalAccess