How oariginal: Reservoir Park will soon be home to an equipment rental kiosk that’ll allow you to cosplay as an outdoorswoman (or man).
It will be the eighth location in the state for WakeRack, a contactless watercraft rental business founded by NC native Brandon Massengill in 2017. Customers reserve time slots online; you can also scan a QR code on the kiosk, but it would be bold of us to assume you can get service at the Reservoir. Anyway, you’ll fill out a rental agreement and waiver, make your payment, and receive a code to a locker that contains your vessel of choice, adult life vests and paddles. Getting it in and out of the lake is up to you.

“We wanted to give people an easier, better way to get on the water,” Brandon says. “You don’t have to interact with anyone and you can go online, see the availability and book it, all at your own speed.”

Southern Pines Parks and Recreation Specialist Kallye Spencer said the locker will have four paddle boards and 12 slots for kayaks or tandem kayaks. Details are still in the works, but Brandon says rentals in his Raleigh locations range from $12-$20/hour, with a two-hour minimum. More lockers could be added depending on demand. The kiosk is set to make its debut on April 1, no joke.