Wheel Fun Rentals will bring back its swan boat rentals to the Humboldt Park lagoon starting April 25, according to franchisee co-owner Rodney Knight. The company, which had paused operations last season due to slow business after the pandemic, is preparing the boats for use after nearly a year in storage.
The return of the swan boats matters because it restores a popular recreational activity for residents and visitors in Humboldt Park. The service was missed last summer when Wheel Fun Rentals decided not to operate due to business challenges and lack of consistent bathroom access nearby.
Workers have been seen conducting maintenance on the boats, including cleaning and replacing parts. Knight said some boats will receive new heads and a fresh wash before opening day. “We are coming back,” Knight told Block Club Chicago.
Wheel Fun Rentals has operated at the lagoon boathouse at 1301 N. Humboldt Park Drive since 2018 but closed before last summer with no immediate plans to return. The decision to reopen was influenced by news of a prospective all-day cafe set for the boathouse veranda this year, as well as missing running the concession last summer. “Especially if there is a restaurant there, it can bring energy to the park and we need to be there,” Knight said. “We ultimately decided that even if the restaurant did not open, we were going to be coming back.”
Michele Lemons, spokesperson for Chicago Park District, confirmed that Wheel Fun Rentals is finalizing its one-year agreement with the district.
This season will also introduce customer punch cards offering guests a free third rental after two visits. “We are encouraging people to come more than once,” Knight said about this new perk.
Rental prices remain consistent with previous years: $30 per hour for swan boats; $29 per hour for four-wheeled Surrey bikes; and $39 per hour for double Surrey bikes. The concession’s hours will vary through spring and summer, expanding from weekends only in May into daily operations through early September.
