Riverside Park Improvements

September 9, 2022–Plans are moving ahead on the construction of an inclusive playground within Riverside Park. The new playground, built to incorporate the existing playground within Riverside Park, will be the first fully accessible playground in Kamloops.

Several new inclusive amenities, including a "We-Go-Round", "We-Saw", "ZipKrooz" and more, will enhance the experience at the playground, allowing for children of all abilities to enjoy the City's most cherished park. In addition, the entire playground surface will be upgraded to an accessible impact surface.

"Whether a child is transferring out of their mobility device, or not, there’s plenty to do. Activities like the ZipKrooz with both a molded bucket seat and a standard seat provide a level of choice to each user. That way, regardless if I’m standing or sitting, I can also jump in for a race with my friends. The integrated shade on the structure and We Go Round provide additional comfort for users who need to be cognizant of heat, allowing them to play for longer with their friends," commented Jill Moore, a wheelchair athlete who aids product development for inclusive play environments with Landscape Structures (the playground vendor).

Construction on the new playground will start September 12, and is expected to be complete by the end of November 2022. Although the current playground will be closed during construction, there are other excellent downtown playground options such as Prince Charles Park and Stuart Wood school park. There are also many accessible features at the large new playground at the west end of McArthur Island Park for the public to enjoy.

The City gratefully acknowledges a contribution of $200,000 from the Trans Mountain Expansion Project towards the construction of this new accessible playground.

“Trans Mountain is proud to contribute to the new inclusive playground at Riverside Park,” said Jeff Robinson, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Trans Mountain. “We appreciate our ongoing collaboration with the City of Kamloops and are pleased to be a part of this exciting new playground for all children to enjoy.”

Work on the multi-use pathway is now complete and it fully reopened for use on Friday, September 2.

June 24, 2022–The Flood Protection Project at Riverside Park is nearing completion. The new private dike, which is disguised with a lovely façade along the beachfront, protects the park to a 1 in 20-year flood event. The newly paved and widened multi-use pathway winds along the top of the dike from Sandman Centre to Uji Gardens and increases accessibility for all users. Upgraded lighting will complete the new pathway, which is expected to be open to the public later this summer.

The new dike and pathway along the beach at Riverside Park.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances and supply chain challenges, the spray park will not be operational this year, but it is expected to open with a splash in spring 2023.

Plans are moving ahead on the construction of an inclusive playground within Riverside Park, which Council added to the project earlier this spring. The new playground, built adjacent to the existing play structure in Riverside Park, will be the first fully accessible playground in Kamloops. Jill Moore, a wheelchair athlete who aids product development with Landscape Structures (the playground vendor), had nothing but great things to say about the new park’s design.

“Designing for inclusion is all about providing the just-right fit for every single person who comes to play, whatever their ability may be, and we see this throughout the Riverside Park design which truly invites everyone,” commented Jill Moore. “We believe people with disabilities should get to control their environment, be it spinning, swinging, swaying, etc.; and we try to integrate that as much as possible. People with disabilities are active players, and an inclusive environment is going to showcase everything we can bring to the table when we’re invited. Riverside Park is truly a place for everyone!”

The playground is expected to be complete in early fall 2022.

The City is also extremely excited to welcome a multitude of events back to Riverside Park this summer, including Canada Day, Music in the Park, Ribfest, Seniors’ Picnic, and the Busker’s Festival. For details on these events, visit Kamloops.ca/Events.

Coming to Riverside Park this summer!

The video rendering of the amazing new splash park can be seen here. This state of the art water park promises to be one of the best in Canada, boasting waterslides and accessible features, with something to enjoy for all ages.

The flood mitigation works will result in a new façade for the beach area, as well as a new multi-use pathway between Uji Gardens and Sandman Centre.

Perspective drawing of the dike and pathway, as well as the new splash park.

Sketch of new pathway and dike at Riverside Park.

Access for those who have mobility challenges will be on the east end of the beachfront, where the pathway will be more level with the sand/beach area, and of an appropriate grade for accessibility.

November 17, 2021—Construction is starting next week on improvements throughout Riverside Park that will make the City's most loved and busiest park space safer and more accessible.

The improvements coming to Riverside Park over the next year include the following:

• replacing the aging spray park with a new, accessible spray park
• demolishing the old concession and washroom buildings
• constructing/installing a new change room/washroom building with gender-neutral and accessible components
• completing flood mitigation work, including the raising of Rivers Trail between Uji Gardens and Sandman Centre
• paving and widening the Rivers Trail multi-use pathway between Uji Gardens and Sandman Centre
• installing new lighting, benches, and garbage receptacles along the Rivers Trail
• strategically planning the new spray park’s concrete pad to accommodate the possibility of a future skating rink

The project will begin on November 22, 2021, and is expected to be complete in summer 2022. Demolition will start next week on the concrete and asphalt surfaces, including the Rivers Trail and the spray park pad. Crews will begin work at the east end of the park, between the pier and Sandman Center, and then move west towards Uji Gardens. The beach, pier, Rivers Trail, spray park, and adjacent washroom building will be closed for the duration of the project.

The playground, tennis courts, pickleball courts, bandshell, and other green spaces will remain open and accessible to the public. Park visitors are asked to avoid the construction zone and utilize Lorne Street as a detour route. Washrooms can be accessed at the west end of the park and at Heritage House.

City staff are working with various Riverside Park user groups to mitigate the impact of construction on any scheduled programs or events.

“I think the public will be extremely happy with the upgrades coming to Riverside Park. We’re striving to accomplish as much work as possible in the off season so that the park can be open to visitors next summer,” said Darren Crundwell, the City’s Capital Projects Supervisor. “Combining the flood mitigation work with the spray park upgrades allows us to minimize impact to the park.”

Subscribe at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/Riverside for up-to-date project information.