A new life jacket loaner station has been installed at the Hastings public boat launch, giving families and river users another simple way to stay safe while enjoying the Mississippi River.
The station, located at the riverfront for use on Mississippi River Pool 2, was made possible through a partnership between the City of Hastings Parks and Recreation Department and Friends of Pool 2. The city installed a new concrete pad for the project, and the life jacket station has now been securely placed for public use.
Friends of Pool 2 will maintain and stock the station with life jackets that can be borrowed, used and returned. The idea is simple, if someone arrives at the boat launch without a life jacket, or needs an extra one for a child or guest, the station gives them a place to find one before heading out on the water.
The project is aimed at making river recreation safer and more accessible for everyone who uses the Hastings riverfront. For boaters, anglers, paddlers and families spending time near the Mississippi River, life jackets remain one of the most important pieces of safety equipment. The new station helps remove one common barrier, making sure a life jacket is close by when someone needs it.
Friends of Pool 2 credited the City of Hastings Parks and Recreation Department for its partnership and commitment to water safety. The organization thanked the city for helping make the project possible and for supporting efforts that keep the community safe on the water.
The station is also a reminder of how important the Mississippi River is to Hastings. The river is part of the city’s history, recreation and identity. It draws people to the boat launch, to the shoreline and to the riverfront throughout the year. With that connection comes a shared responsibility to help people enjoy the water safely.
Friends of Pool 2 said the project shows what can happen when local organizations and city leaders work together. The group pointed to the station as an example of cooperation that supports recreational river use, water safety and access for everyone.
The life jacket loaner station is designed to be used by anyone. Users can borrow a jacket, use it while they are on or near the water, and return it when they are finished. That simple borrow-and-return approach helps keep the station stocked for the next family, boater or river user who may need it.
Friends of Pool 2 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to enhance the recreational river experience on Mississippi River Pool 2. The organization promotes safe and sustainable enjoyment of the river, shares information with river users about key issues and offers a united voice in decisions that impact the Pool 2 community.
The new Hastings station fits directly into that mission. By keeping life jackets available at the public boat launch, the organization is helping promote a safer river experience while supporting access for people who use the Mississippi for recreation.
The project also adds a practical safety feature to a busy public access point. While many experienced river users bring their own gear, not every visitor arrives fully prepared. Families may forget a life jacket, children may outgrow one, or an extra guest may come along for a day on the water. The loaner station gives people a chance to correct that problem before they leave shore.
For Hastings, the project is a small but meaningful addition to the riverfront. It does not change the river, the boat launch or the reasons people gather there. It simply gives the community another tool to help make sure more people return home safely after enjoying a day on the Mississippi.