Dawson Creek Splash Park | City of Dawson Creek

In 2023, the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan identified a splash park as a priority for a future community amenity. In the months that followed, residents expressed strong support for the project through requests to Council and public engagement, leading the City to begin planning for a splash park.

In 2024, a dedicated public engagement process helped determine the preferred location and park features. Following Council's approval of funding through the 2025 Budget, the project advanced into the design phase. In 2026, the City completed the design-assist process and is now preparing to issue a public tender for construction. Once Council awards the construction contract, the project will move into the construction phase.

This page provides project updates, key milestones, and information about the Splash Park as it progresses toward construction.

Project Timeline

Phase 1: Planning and Engagement

Engagement activities for this proposed project include:

Round 1: an online survey answering the question: "What does a splash park look like to you?"
Round 2: in-person engagement with an online survey option answering the question: "Which splash park design do you like?"

Round 1: Online Survey
Staff worked with Urban Systems Ltd. to develop and launch a splash park survey that ran from March 28, 2024 to April 19, 2024 to understand 'what a splash park looks like to you.' Questions were designed with the following objectives in mind:

Engage with community members to determine what criteria should inform the location of a splash park.
Engage with community members to determine what criteria should inform the type of splash park and features.
Provide community members with information about the project and next steps so they know how their input will be used and what the next stage of engagement will involve.

Over 647 surveys were completed, which have influenced both the location and the design of a potential splash park. View the Council Report summary.

Round 2: In-Person Engagement and Online Survey

Round 2 of engagement included the launch of an engagement survey to have the community vote on their preferred splash park design and provide input on the initial and on-going costs of a splash park. The survey closed on July 7, 2024.

An in-person engagement session was held at the Kin Park Ball Diamonds on Friday, June 28, 2024 at the Community Park and Play.

View the Design Options

Each design option is currently presented in Kin Park South, as that location aligns with the criteria presented in the online survey:

Centrally located
Near other amenities
Accessible and Walkable
Vehicle Parking

Each conceptual design includes the key input received in the Splash Park Survey:

Designed for all ages
Universal design and accessible features
Safety
Shade & Seating
Large and dynamic splash park features

All the conceptual designs are a recirculating splash park system as they use 1000 times less water than flow through systems. Recirculating systems do have a higher initial cost, but they save water, therefore saving money in the long term. They also allow for larger, more dynamic splash park features.

Survey Results and Recommendations

Report No. 24-101 Splash Park Engagement: Survey Results & Recommendations includes the results of the second round of Splash Park Engagement, as well as funding recommendations. Council directed Staff in August 2024 to defer the resolution until 2025 budget discussions. Read the Splash Park Engagement: Survey Results and Recommendations report online, or view the August 12, 2024 Council Meeting video to hear the discussion around the splash park.

Phase 2: Design and Approvals

January 13, 2025 Update: At the January 13, 2025 Council Meeting, Council approved $2.95M from grant funding to be used towards the Splash Park Project in the 2025 Draft 1 Budget; further, that upon the park's opening, an additional tax increase be incorporated into a future budget to cover all operational costs; and finally, that any remaining grant funding be allocated to Trail Development projects.

April 2026 Update: The design-assist and construction procurement process began in April 2026 to support final design refinement and delivery planning for construction.

July 27, 2026 Update: At the July 27, 2026 Council Meeting, Council considered Report No. 26-136 regarding the results of construction cost estimates for the Dawson Creek Splash Park. Following a review of updated construction cost estimates, Council learned that the Splash Park project is expected to cost more than the current approved budget.

To help reduce costs while keeping the project moving forward, Council directed staff to proceed with an open public Request for Proposals (RFP) process to encourage competitive bidding and achieve the best value for taxpayers. Council also supported applications for up to $1.3 million in external grant funding through the Northern Development Initiative Trust and PacifiCan's Build Communities Strong Fund to help reduce the City's share of the project costs.

Next Steps

The City will issue a public tender for construction, inviting qualified contractors to submit bids. Once the tender closes, submissions will be evaluated and a recommendation will be presented to Council for consideration.

If Council awards the construction contract, the project will move into the construction phase in 2027.

Pictured: Splash Park Concepts as approved for design

An artist rendering of a splash park in a green park space