CITY – Flood protection project at Riverside Park nearing completion

The flood protection project at Riverside Park is nearing completion, the City says in a news release.

The new dike, which is disguised with a façade along the beachfront, protects the park to a one-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.

Upgraded lighting will complete the new pathway, which is expected to be open to the public later this summer.

“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,” the release said.

Plans are moving ahead on 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), praised 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,” said Moore.

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

Several events will resume at Riverside Park this summer, including Canada Day, Music in the Park, Ribfest, Seniors’ Picnic, and the Busker’s Festival. For details, visit Kamloops.ca/Events.