Frequently asked questions

Riverside Park is one of the Kern River Valley’s greatest assets, and it is degrading right before our eyes. We have the opportunity right now to make it a safer, more enjoyable and aesthetically more pleasing place to visit - and we can do this without raising taxes on anyone. It is also important to note that the park enhancements will have something for everyone and not just fit the needs of a select few.

The community will have something to be proud of when the project is finished. Terrace work on the banks will create a more natural feel while allowing people to get closer to the water. Designated access points will help reduce user conflicts, whitewater recreation features will provide year-round entertainment, and deep pool habitat will create better space for fish (and the anglers pursuing them). Most importantly, the riverbed and shoreline will be stabilized so future flood events do not undo this work. Parks like these have historically delivered millions of dollars in positive economic impacts to communities just like ours.

The river always carries inherent risks, but we can say that the park will be safer than it is now. The shoreline will be made safer by stabilizing the streambank and removing hazards, as well as creating safe modes of entry. Removing entrapment hazards and creating recovery pools between drops will reduce the risk that river users will have to face. Still, it is always wise be aware of the inherent dangers of the river and ALWAYS wear a life jacket!

One of the goals of this project is to use this park as a center for river safety education through signage, programming, and more!

Yes. Not only will the deep pool habitats be an attractive place for fish to congregate, but the enhanced bank access will make it easier to fish these areas without worrying about toppling into the river. One of the best parts of the project are the handicapped accessible fishing platforms that will enhance fishing opportunities for those who previously could not enjoy that aspect of the park.

Start with the support journey - sign the petition, subscribe for updates, and send a letter of support to Kern County. If you would like to give or volunteer beyond those steps, reach out to us so we can connect you with current needs. Every bit of support helps move the project forward.

The River Park will be designed to be useful at a wide variety of flows, but specifically designed to extend the river season in the early spring and late summer when the river is typically too low to enjoy. Creating a pool and drop structure will make the river seem deeper than it normally is during these low water periods while creating fun drops with recovery pools in between them.

We expect the improved park to support a wider variety of events, including stand-up paddling gatherings and competitions. These activities draw new visitors to the Kern River Valley, boost tourism dollars, and give locals more opportunities to watch or participate in river recreation.

The reality is that picnickers will probably notice the most benefit. Currently the park and the river are separated by dangerous terrain; kids, pets, and even many adults are unable to navigate these areas safely, especially if the river is running high. By creating terraced areas along the river banks, families will be able to safely approach the river, spread out their picnic blanket and enjoy the wonderful riverside setting.

The park designers use a sophisticated flood modeling system to ensure that the project they design can withstand 100 year floods. Not only that, but they design the project so that it does not create negative impacts outside of the project area. Some features near the bridge and on the banks will be included to achieve this; the river might not get high enough to utilize these features in our lifetime, but if it does, they will be there.

The whitewater features will be designed to be beneficial at low water; there may be some times of the year, however, when the water drops so low that they are no longer usable. There might be some years where there is a wonderful whitewater feature in the middle of January. You can never predict what the river is going to do, but we’ll try to optimize the design to extend the river season as much as possible.

The river park it self is a public waterway, nobody actually “runs” it. The river banks will continue to be run by the existing entities, Kern County Parks and Recreation and Frandy Park

Any events scheduled in Riverside Park would require a park permit from KC Parks & Rec, just as they do now. Maintenance would be up to the Parks and Rec as they would own the structures. We don’t anticipate much in the way of maintenance, certainly on a yearly basis.