After 20 years of building parks, we’ve noticed that most projects begin with a local river enthusiast that has been to Reno, Golden, Salida, Cascade, or some of our other more popular parks. This person knows how popular these parks have become for the average person, they know how much money these parks bring to the local communities, they know that only one of four users in the park is a kayaker, and they see the environmental value of these parks. They understand the majority of users are everyday people enjoying the atmosphere and the river.

Most of our projects have been built because a grassroots enthusiast has knocked on the doors of the decision makers in their town. Without support of people like the City Manager, the Parks and Recreation Director, the Mayor, and ultimately the City Council, not too many projects can overcome the political and economic requirements. Some of our parks have been built by private foundations, local benefactors, and grassroots funding campaigns.

The first step is to contact these people, give them more information, and educate them how whitewater parks can provide a social, cultural, economic, and environmental benefit to the community. To get more scientific and promotional information, please see our “studies” link on the homepage.

The second step is to contact REP and let us know your community is interested in a park and would like more information. At this point, REP can discuss what products we think will best fit your community. This stage usually starts with a site visit by an REP representative to determine the feasibility of the project and/or creation of a conceptual design. The conceptual design can be used to educate the community on the proposed design, and include all stakeholders in the decision process. Once REP has been contracted, this stage of work can usually be completed in less than two months.

Following feasibility and conceptual design services, each project takes it own course but further stages of the project include: preliminary design, permitting, floodplain analysis and numerical modeling, final design, construction services, and monitoring.