Front page: Work continues on river bank, play area
Mountain Mail April 3, 2003

Photo by Michael D. Reed
The operator of a track-hoe sits barely above water as he uses the machine to move rocks, creating a new kayak play hole downstream from the F Street Bridge.

by Michael D. Reed
Mail Staff Writer

Heavy machinery was in the Arkansas River Tuesday moving rocks in the river bed and on the banks, creating the new kayak play spot.
Lowry Contracting, low bidder for the project, was doing the work downstream from the F Street Bridge.

Mike Harvey, Arkansas River Trust executive director, said the new play spot for kayakers will be similar to the one at the boat ramp, up-stream of the bridge.

“This is the best thing that’s ever happened to Salida, without a doubt,” Hank Bevington, assistant manager of American Adventure Expeditions said.

“You watch. This summer there will be people all over the park, the new walkway, the observation area.

“They’ve got to eat and sleep somewhere.” Bevington said.

“Kayakers eat at restaurants, buy fuel, art and ant-iques, stay at motels and campgrounds and they drink a lot of beer,” Ray Kitson, AAE owner said.

“Everybody will benefit from this.”

Workers poured the concrete walkway along the southern river bank beneath the F Street bridge Tuesday.

“In the heat of summer, that’s going to be a popular spot,” Harvey said.

Jack Chivvis, Salida business owner, said, “Now you can see the river from Riverside Park.

“It looks much nicer already.”

A second walkway is being constructed through the parking lot of Headwaters Outdoor Equipment, owned by Kitson.

“I’ll lose two parking spaces, but it’s a small price to pay for what we’re getting here,” he said.

The walkways will merge in Riverside Park in front of the new play hole and will be wide enough for people to sit on and watch kayakers.

Harvey said work to be completed before FIBArk is the second kayak play hole, the riverside walkway, the kayak observation area, a meditation area in front of the war memorial and paved walkways through Riverside Park.

Overall cost for work that will be completed before FIB-Ark is estimated at $158,000.

“Downtown Salida is going to be a real destination. This is going to draw visitors from all over the United States,” Kitson said.

“Just watch.”