Decorah Gear Exchange raises over $3,000 for Decorah Parks & Recreation

The 2nd annual Decorah Gear Exchange, held September 23-24, 2023 at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, raised $3,314.04 for Decorah Parks and Recreation through the sale of gently used and new outdoor recreation items.Established in 2022, the Decorah Gear Exchange, held annually each fall, aims to help individuals sell and buy gently used or new outdoor recreation items through a two-day consignment sale. More than 50 individuals participated in bringing 630 outdoor recreation gear items to this year's sale, including 3 kayaks, 19 bikes, 11 tents, and even 1 horse saddle. If an item sold, 20% was designated for donation to Decorah Parks and Recreation, to help further expand recreational opportunities and resources in the Decorah area. Andy Nimrod, Decorah Parks & Recreation Director, shares "We are so thankful for the energy of this event's organizers and enthusiastic buyers. The Decorah Gear Exchange helps keep outdoor recreation gear in use and offers affordable pricing for individuals to gain new-to-them gear to use when exploring the Decorah area." Decorah Parks & Recreation will use this year's event funding to help reprint a key resource, the Decorah Parks & Trail Guide. This foldable guide is provided for free, to residents and visitors alike, to help individuals navigate the 664+ acres of land managed by the Decorah Parks & Recreation Department, including 23 parks and recreational areas, the municipal pool and campground, 20+ miles of off-road trails, and segments of the 11-mile Trout Run Trail. In addition to the sale, the Decorah Gear Exchange provided opportunities for individuals to connect with other outdoor enthusiasts and gain resources about the area. Throughout the weekend, six free, volunteer-guided trail activities were offered, including opportunities to hike, bike, and run on local trails. The Decorah Gear Exchange is the product of a collaboration between The Getup, Decorah Hatchery, Decorah Parks and Recreation, Driftless Outdoors, Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities, and Visit Decorah, with space provided for the 2023 event by Pulpit Rock Brewing Company.