and you can’t think of anything new to do? How about taking them for a pontoon ride on the Madison Lakes?

The Madison School Community Recreation Department is again sponsoring rides on pontoon boats on Lakes Monona and Mendota. And best of all for Tenney-Lapham residents, the pick up and drop off site is at Tenney Park, on the northeast side of the Yahara River, just below the Dane County locks.

MSCR has three boats approximately 28 feet in length and 8 feet wide with 40 and 45 horse Mariner and Mercury motors. Each boat is equipped with life jackets (all sizes), deck chairs, safety equipment, and a canopy. Boat capacity is 15 people.

Public rides are open to the general public on a first come first served basis through September 30th . No reservations are needed. A donation of $3.00 per person is recommended at the site. The boat will tour either Lake Mendota or Monona, depending on weather and group preference. Three boats are available each time period.

The schedule for public drop in rides through September 30th is: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-7:00 pm and 7:15-8:45 pm; Sundays, 7-8:30 am and 8:45-10:15 am. There also will be special Moonlight Cruises from 9:00-10:30 pm on July 13th (Thursday), 18th (Tuesday) and 27th (Thursday), and August 10th (Thursday), 15th (Tuesday) and 26th (Thursday).

The pontoon boats are available for private rentals through September 30, for non-profit organizations, persons with disabilities, seniors (50 years of age and over) and persons of low income. The charges for a three hour time period range from $20.00 to $60.00.

For further information about the pontoon rides, call MSCR Reservations/ General Information at 266-6255.

-Bob Shaw