Fergus Falls, MN
Home MenuDowntown Riverfront
Riverfront Splash Pad - NOW OPEN
The Riverfront Splash Pad opened on Tuesday, June 4th. Regular hours are 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. and there is no fee to enjoy the site. daily. Please note there is no lifeguard on duty. If the weather is stormy and there is lightening present, the system will shut itself off. It is fully automated. Kids will learn quickly that there's a button with an arrow embedded on the splash pad. That's how they reactivate the splash features (which are on a 4-minute timer). Have fun!
May 2024
Join us for the grand opening on May 30th from 4-6 p.m. The Riverfront Splash Pad is installed and systems are being tested and inspected. Our event includes free towels for the first 200 children (donated by C21 Real Estate), food trucks, music and activities for kids (courtesy of Otter Cover and the Fergus Falls Public Library).
April 2024
Spring has sprung and crews are back on site working to complete the Riverfront Splash Pad. The Grand Opening will be Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. All are welcome. More info will come soon about that exciting event. The latest newsletter from the contractor is now available HERE.
November 2023
With winter on the horizon the project is in a holding pattern until spring. The underground work is complete and the splash pad elements are nearly complete including the main splash pad, retaining wall, restroom, walkways and waterfall pools. A fence divides the splash pad from the parking lot which was paved and restriped for the winter. Three of the four parking rows are accessible throughout the winter.
Work resumes in the spring with an expected opening in May 2024.
September 15, 2023
Now that Lincoln Ave. is paved and open, it's time to work on the splash pad parking lot. It will be closed beginning September 18th to accommodate the work. Contractors expect this will be a three week project. The south side of the parking lot is already underway!
September 11, 2023
Progress on the Splash Pad is full speed ahead. There is a lot of dirt-moving going on (see pictures below) as the utilities are installed. The bathrooms are nearly fully enclosed. The week of September 18 the parking lot will be closed for three weeks. During this time the site will be graded, paved and striped. As soon as that is completed, the current fence will be put back up and the north parking area will be accessible. Read the full project newsletter here.
Project Overview
The City of Fergus Falls has been working to revitalize the downtown area. Last summer we celebrated the grand opening of Spies Riverfront Park and the Market Pavilion (Downtown Riverfront Improvements Project – Phase 1).
Beginning in Spring 2023 Phase 2 began on the riverfront block behind the Federal Courthouse. This phase includes a splash pad, public seating areas, restrooms and public art.
Project Objectives
- Improve the aesthetics and views of the Otter Tail River
- Provide a community splash pad and recreational area
- Increase pedestrian and bicycle access
- Redevelopment of Downtown Fergus Falls
- Tie together the improvements with the adjacent improvements
- Replace deteriorating infrastructure
Proposed Improvements
- Splash pad complete with river and play features
- Decorative concrete pedestrian area
- Restroom structure
- Parking lot reconstruction
PROJECT UPDATES
August 14, 2023
The retaining wall is under construction. It is concrete but formed to resemble stone. For a full update on the project, check out the newsletter below.
Click to view newsletter - August 14, 2023
July 25, 2023
Comstock Construction is working on multiple items concurrently: Helical piles are continuing to be difficult but are progressing. Above ground activity can be seen as the restroom building is going up! Work will continue on it for some time in order to get the required utilities for running the splash pad in. The splash pad tank has also been placed and will soon be buried. Work going forward will be more of the same. Additional helical piles will be installed as well as the restroom building and site utilities continuing; there is a considerable amount of infrastructure under ground to make all these things work.
Click to view newsletter - June 23, 2023
June 27, 2023 - Excavation Begins
Private utility work of power and communications has concluded. Comstock Construction will now be able to remove pavement and soil in preparation for the installation of helical piles and the rest of the foundation systems for the project. Over the next few weeks, crews will be installing helical piles that will be augured into the ground and bear the weight of the structures. The installation process of this system will be largely underground and it may appear as if little to no work is happening within the fence. (Photo June 27, 2023).
Click to view newsletter - May 25, 2023
Click to view newsletter - May 8, 2023
Power Lines Go Underground
Otter Tail Power Co. will be excavating within the alley. Starting Tuesday, May 30, the alley will be closed and reopen by the end of the day Friday, June 2, pending no complications. The public payment mailboxes, currently located in the alley, will be relocated and will remain open. Please watch for signs that direct you to the temporary location along Mill Street.
Phase 2 Groundbreaking
A groundbreaking celebration for Phase II was held on May 4, 2023. The construction area will be fenced off on May 12 with workers beginning on Monday May 15. The first step is for Otter Tail Power Co. to bury those overhead power lines!
Click to view newsletter - March 21, 2023
Click to view newsletter -June 10, 2022
CLICK FOR MORE, INCLUDING SCHEDULE AND PROJECT UPDATES.