Ogden Play Park

HistoryThe park was built in the year 2000 at the urging and with the help of local kayakers. It was the first professionally designed play-park in Utah and really drew attention to the area as a kayaking destination. Two years later, in 2002, more rock was brought in, and the bottom two holes were moved, and a the old dam that formed the second hole was demolished, leaving a large pool with amphitheatre style banks. Most of the time boaters will play at the first hole then float through the bottom two when it is time to get out. There is a bike trail on river left and a bridge just upstream of the first hole that provides a good vantage point for onlookers.

During late summer and low water years the park is less a destination for kayakers and more a local hangout and swimming hole. During medium flows it is offers a great place for beginning and intermediate boaters to get in some friendly hole surfing. And in high water it consists of three fairly intimidating wide holes that can take a little work to get out of.

Recently, there have been some great improvements near the kayak park. There is now an official parking area with restrooms and a picnic bowery about fifty yards west of the river. Also, another segment of the bike path which runs south from the kayak park has been completed. If you're out riding around drop by to see what it is all about.

The Play Features

Top Hole

The first hole, above the pool, is the best hole of the three. It is shallow, but can provide hours of fun if you enjoy flat spinning.

Second Hole

The second hole used to be pretty much a small ripple, but since the third hole collapsed in 2007 it is now steeper. It is flushy down the middle and hard to stay on but it has a lot of power for stern squirts and bow stalls.

Third Hole

The third hole uesed to be a steep three or four foot drop and was usually boofed over or skipped altogether because of its intimidating nature. In 2007 though it collapsed and has become a smaller drop but now rivals the top drop in playability. Try it out.

Slalom Gates

In 2008, Ogden City, with help from a county RAMP tax grant and local kayakers, installed semi-permanent kayak slalom gate structures at the kayak park. The gates will be up seasonally, so if you're lucky you can try your hand at an olympic style kayaking experience.

Directions

From I-15 northbound take 24th Street exit and turn right onto Exchange Road. Follow 24th Street east to 400 west. Turn left onto B Avenue (550 W). Turn right onto Exchange Road and travel eat 50 yards to the Weber River bridge. Park on the northwest side of the bridge where there is easy access to the river (the park is approximately 1.2 miles from I-15)

From (I-15 southbound take 20th Street exit and travel east to Lincoln Avenue. Turn right on Lincoln and travel south to 24th Street. Turn right on 24th Street, traveling west over the railroad viaduct. Continue to B Street (550 W) and turn right. Turn right onto Exchange Road and travel east 50 yards to the Weber River bridge. Park on the northwest side of the bridge where thee is easy access to the river.

Maintenance

Since the play park is located in what might be affectionately called an 'urban' area, often there arises the need to replace a vandalized gate or string a cable that has been cut down by some shadowy denizen of the night. Ogden City has provided thousands dollars of support for the park but it simplifies things if the kayaking community is in charge of minor repairs of the slalom gates.