In September, 2001, The Arkansas River Trust and the City of Salida completed the second phase of the Whitewater Park project. This phase included in-stream current deflectors, a major cleanup effort and tweaking of existing in-stream structures. This phase was a culmination of two years of work by the Arkansas River Trust and a diverse coalition from within the community.

The Arkansas River Trust would like to thank these organizations for their financial support:

  • Lowry Contracting
  • Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District
  • High Country Bank
  • American Adventure Expeditions
  • Bongo Billy's Salida Cafe
  • Absolute Bikes
  • GKS Insurance
  • Trout Unlimited
  • True Value Hardware
  • Strout Realty
  • Walmart Community Foundation
  • Power Bar

Designer and engineer Gary Lacy oversees construction of a current deflector upstream of the Salida boat ramp.

Salida City Council members, representatives from Colorado State Parks, and Jeff Pridemore of Pridemore Construction "cut the ribbon" on October 13th, 2001.

Hardy local boaters came out to celebrate the occasion, braving this blustery October day. 300 CFS and 35 degree water didn't slow down the enthusiastic horde :)

The recently retooled play spot helped local paddlers quickly forget the cold and throw down like it was the Fourth of July.