Between 1820 and 1862–63 a number of forts — trading posts — were built along the Thompson River. Goods which had been transported by pack trains were now transported by freight canoes and sailing vessels then steamships. Having a trading post near water was important.
Unfortunately, these trading posts were often flooded requiring a new post to be built. What’s important is that trade occurred on the North and South Thompson rivers right along the banks of Riverside Park.
Sometime around 1860 the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) encouraged cultivation at its farm up the North Thompson River. The farm grew potatoes and wheat while pumpkins, cauliflower, corn, cabbage, potatoes, and rhubarb were grown at the HBC site.
I have enjoyed walking through Riverside Park for years, but historically, what happened to make this park what it is today?
Around 1890 agriculture and ranching became important and the second annual Agricultural Association exhibited livestock and crops in what was to become the Riverside Park area.
Chinese workers laying track for the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885 made camp in what was to become Riverside Park. Encouraged by the railway extension, ranchers and farmers looked forward to exhibiting local produce.
In 1899 the city of Kamloops determined to purchase land which would be developed into parks, and in 1901 the Shuswap Milling Company situated on the land close to the river burnt down. The city purchased the land and established Riverside Park in 1902.
The beach was included as a public area and the park was intended to promote activities such as running, cycling, and walking. Swings and a water park were available to the public.
When visiting this area, take a moment to visit the pier. The information board shows the importance of Kamloops’ early transportation commitment. Transportation included the building of sternwheelers, and one was The Distributor, launched in April 1912. She was the largest to work locally, especially assisting the Canadian Northern Railway with laying track. The sternwheelers were constructed of wood at Kamloops or Savona.
Cattle sales and agricultural exhibits were held at the Kamloops Agricultural Hall which had been constructed in the Park. In 1914, the BC Stock Breeders Association introduced the Bull and Livestock Show and Sale. The first sale was held on Mar. 26, 1919. The Agricultural Hall possibly stood in front of Cunliff House. The BC Hereford Breeders Association relocated the Bull sale to Riverside Park in 1920. In 1926 the BC Livestock Association built an office where the Pavilion theatre stood.
During the Depression unemployed single men were protesting the relief camps that were set up by the government to provide work and pay for unemployed young men. They were paid 20 cents per day to construct roads and build other public works. Their living conditions and food were awful and inadequate. Frustrated, they boarded freight trains in Vancouver and headed to Ottawa.
They stopped in Kamloops where Mayor W. J. Moffat offered them a place to sleep, but the men elected to sleep in Riverside Park and then continued their journey in the morning.
Evelyn E. Pickersgill Cunliffe, in 1957, gifted the city money which was to be used to build a fountain (now a flower bed) and a Parks Superintendent Cottage. The money also was to provide for tennis courts. Today some tennis courts have made room for Pickle Ball courts for the many enthusiasts. The park service staff works from the building as was intended by Cunliffe.
At one time a building referred to as ‘The Pavilion’ housed a concession area, a dance floor, washrooms, and change rooms. Today washrooms and change areas stand near the beach.
Heritage House (1960) was meant to be a place of celebrations and therefore provides space for community use, culture, and education. Various groups can rent a large room to conduct a variety of classes or celebrations. The bottom floor provides space for arts and crafts.
Just outside the building on a large area of lawn one can find the Lawn Bowling green The club was formed in 1922 and the greens were ready in 1923. Eventually the Club moved to their present area at Heritage House.
Recently, The Repair Café was held at Heritage House. This event encourages people to bring their broken items to the Heritage house, where volunteers work to repair them instead of throwing them out.
While on holiday in 1961, the Mayor of Kamloops, Jack Fitzwater, a railway engine enthusiast, found the 2141 steam engine waiting for demolition. The engine was acquired for $2000 and settled in Riverside Park for 30 years. Unfortunately, vandalism and weather took a devastating toll over the years and the engine became unsafe for children to continue to climb and play on the engine.
Kamloops city council considered the sale of the engine, however, after reviewing its history and realizing that there were the skills in the city to restore the engine the council decided to proceed with restoration of the engine. Once the engine was put in running order, the 2141 steamed down the tracks for some 40 trips a year.
The Crestline Gardens, Kamloops’ first community garden was established in 1984. There are now more than 18 Community Gardens throughout the city and one is located in Riverside Park.
At one time a lumber mill operated on the site of the Rotary Bandshell. Since 1994–95 the Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell has been the ‘host’ to culture, the arts, and music during Canada Day ceremonies and many multicultural performances which have graced the stage through the years. Music in the Park has been organized by the Kamloops Art Council and British Columbia Lottery Corporation over the years.
The Lions Club hosts a Canada Day pancake breakfast. The day also includes recognition of the many cultures in the city via the Kamloops Multicultural Society; The Kamloops Arts Council also supports local artists.
The Uji Japanese Garden is dedicated to our sister city, Uji. On July 1, 1990, the then Mayor Phil Gaglardi confirmed the status of Kamloops and Uji as sister cities. The garden which was built in 2000 acknowledges “the cultural awareness and economic development and tourism between the two cities which are supported by the Japanese Canadian Association and Thompson Rives University International Division.”
Obilix was the name of a bull used as a model by artist Joe Fafard for a bronze bull which for many years represented the livestock and bull sales held in Riverside Park. The statue stood at the entrance to the park, however Obilix was removed due to vandalism and repair work that needed to be done in that area of the park. The statue was relocated to Bunker Road and McGill Road in 2022.
In the summer of 2002 people could treat themselves to a stagecoach ride seven days a week. The stagecoach was pulled by a brother and sister team — Larry Foss and Jordan Camille handled the reins and watched for traffic.
In 2003 a sternwheeler, the Wanda Sue, once again slipped down the Thompson River as a tourist attraction. The sternwheeler captained by George Slack sailed for 20 years via Riverside Park on the Thompson Rivers until she was ‘retired.’
Just before you get to the railway bridge check out the flood monument. Note the dates of the floods and the height of the flood waters.
Right before the railway bridge stands the HOPE Lockers. The metal heart and letters are filled with many locks put there by dozens of people in memory of a loved one.
Near the Rotary Bandshell there stands a tree which is about 14 years old. It was planted on September 21, 2001. Planting this tree was a statement by the city council promoting a vision to “re-forest the city.”
Due to flooding along the beach area and up into the park, the city planned to take measures to prevent future flooding. However, before the work could commence an archaeological evaluation was arranged in acknowledgement of the Secwépemcpeople who fished along the Thompson Rivers long before fur traders appeared.
This work needed to be completed before the flood-abatement could begin in the spring of 2020. In September a two-week archaeological evaluation searching for any indication of the past was conducted.
City council approved a skating rink for the park in 2023. The rink is part of the improvement Project for Riverside Park began in 2021. The crew had to first remove the Centennial Celebration Pool built in 1958 which was buried in 1993.
Take note of the monuments and the cenotaph. Throughout the park you’ll find information boards full of historical facts about the people, the area, and reminders of the indigenous presence and their contributions.
There is also a tree dedicated to Princes Diana. Along the walking path.
Remember to respect to the birds, deer, squirrels and the odd bear and give way to the geese.
The City of Kamloops acknowledges that we are located on Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc territory, situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation.
We honour and respect the people, the territory, and the land that houses our community.