Creating Access to Outdoor Gear in Your Community
Anyone who has thought about getting others outdoors in their community has likely run into the challenge of figuring out how to provide safe, functional equipment to those that don’t have it. Bikes, skis, kayaks, paddles, snowshoes, backpacks…all of this gear comes with a price.
Finding the funding to acquire gear is just one of many challenges. One thing is certain, running a successful gear lending program takes more effort, time, patience, and money than you think. The rewards, though, are enormous. Our thoughts? As one of the panelists at our recent roundtable discussion advised, “Just start. Nothing happens if you don’t take the first step.” For more from a great conversation check out the recent panel interview we hosted here.
What’s Your Strategy?
Gear Libraries - Gear libraries are a great way to provide community access to outdoor gear. It’s exactly what it sounds like, a library where you can check out equipment to use locally. Much like a book library, things to consider include acquiring the gear, volunteer time to organize, gear check-in/out, maintenance, repair, and replacement of broken, stolen, or lost items. A successful gear library requires space, time, money, and community support. Check out the Katahdin Gear Library as an example.
Rental and Lease Options - In many communities, access to outdoor equipment already exists in the form of retail shops that rent or lease gear. Often, this provides a great opportunity to access gear especially if you are looking to for a seasonal lease -- perhaps for some fast-growing kiddos? However, if the price tag is prohibitive, think about these retail outlets as potential partners for other gear access strategies. After all, they have already figured out the staffing, storage, and maintenance plan!
Gear Collectives - A gear collective is another viable option to consider if there are several organizations in your community looking to use and share equipment. Gear can often be provided through these relationships – spread over several agencies – think schools, land trusts, non-profits, and other programs looking to expand access to local outdoor recreation. This type of structure provides a central location for storage, maintenance, and management while potentially providing gear access to many different programs throughout the year.
Donations - Alternatively, there is also straight up gear giveaway. This can happen through corporate/outdoor gear company giveaways or by raising funds to purchase the equipment and then giving it to those in need. This system can circumvent the maintenance and upkeep work required by some other gear access options. That being said, it is not a sustaining system.
Take Stock
When you are considering the best gear access strategy for your community, begin by making a list of community resources that could potentially help. There is no one clear model, it’s best to address your specific community, catering to the needs and resources locally. People like to fixate on acquiring gear, but the real work starts after you get the equipment. The stewardship of gear is where the real work begins.
Some things to consider include: storage, maintenance, and repair for the gear. Lost, damaged, and stolen pieces also need a plan. You’ll need plenty of volunteer hours and a system to help with distribution, tracking inventory, and collection, too. Is there a convenient place to store the gear? Who has the access to tools or knowledge to help with maintenance? Where will you get the parts and pieces needed for repair and replacement? Who can help educate new users about the gear so they have a positive, safe experience?
Next, Think Sustainability
The first step is simply asking “who can help?” and then looking for people and resources within your community. The next step is to ask “how can this sustain itself?” In an ideal world, outdoor equipment access is something that becomes part of the infrastructure of a community – much like a ball field at the park or the tennis courts down the street... a resource open to the public that allows and encourages participation in outdoor sports. Keep in mind that your vision will grow and change. When thinking long-term about how to keep the program functional, consider these tips:
Create mutually beneficial partnerships. Gear access programs are going to require funding, because equipment is always in need of repair and replacement. Are there businesses in the area that might like to be involved? This sort of program is ripe for a for-profit and non-profit partnership where both organizations can benefit from collaboration.
It’s important to find a way to let those who benefit from the system give back to the system. Just because someone can’t afford their own gear, doesn’t mean they can’t play a role in supporting the program. Consider setting up volunteer work opportunities where those that use equipment can provide labor to organize, inventory, collect, or otherwise maintain it.
No system is perfect, and the set-up will evolve and improve over time with ongoing investment (time, money, community). Every community is unique—so is each solution.
Interested in Learning More?
Finally, it’s important to realize that providing access to equipment is part of a broader picture of equity and inclusivity. Take into account the education and infrastructure of your community. To learn more from experts in the field, check out the OSI Community Interview on making gear accessible. The panel of guests discuss different strategies they employ to make gear more accessible across their communities. Panelists include Matt DeLaney, creator of the Katahdin Gear Library, Alicia Heyburn, director of Teens to Trails and partner in the growing Maine Gear Share project, and Brian Danz of the Portland Gear Hub.