Dawson Creek seeks community input for Splash Park

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The City of Dawson Creek launched a community survey on Thursday, March 28th, to receive input about a possible splash park to replace Rotary Lake.

The survey is supported through the city’s Park, Recreation and Culture Master Plan. The plan aims to identify priorities and strategies to meet the community’s needs based on the available annual funding.

Residents in Dawson Creek and the neighbouring electoral areas are encouraged to share input by listing their desired priorities for the park in order of importance regarding location accessibility, design features, and favourite park activities. 

The community has expressed to council for several years to consider an outdoor water feature since the closure of Rotary Lake following a drowning in 2016.

The city decided the popular pond would never reopen as a lake again in February 2020.

“Council directed staff to begin engagement, identify a preferred location and bring a budget back to council for a destination misting park or splash pad,” according to a city media release.

The release goes on to say that staff have been working with consultants to develop a splash park engagement process.

In 2023, city officials met with a focus group to discuss information shared at community meetings. Staff compiled the information and presented it in a report to council on November 27th, 2023.

The survey can be found here and will be available until April 19th, 2024.

 The recommendation for the park location will be brought to the April 29th, 2024 council meeting for consideration.