Park Heritage
A legacy of whitewater innovation in Kernville
Riverside Park’s whitewater features were built to meet the needs of a blossoming whitewater community. Today, Riverside Park continues to welcome paddlers, anglers, and families from all corners of the state and beyond.
- • Whitewater features were built in 1972 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in preparation for the 1972 Olympic Trials Qualifying Race.
- • Site of the first man-made whitewater recreation park in the United States.
- • Welcomes tens of thousands of residents and visitors to Kern and Tulare Counties each year.
Get a glimpse of the past
Dive into archival photos that capture the construction and early days of the Kernville Whitewater Park and its role in shaping Riverside Park as a recreation destination.
Honoring the past; building the future
Restoring and enhancing the section of river within Riverside Park carries on the legacy built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Kernville whitewater community, provides access to a wide array of visitors and users, and supports the local economy. The next phase of improvements will ensure that this first-of-its-kind whitewater park is resilient for generations to come.