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Please consider signing this petition if you have any connection with the Kern River and/or Riverside Park in Kernville!

The Kern River is the heart of the Kern River Valley. Nowhere is that connection more visible than at Riverside Park in Kernville - the community’s front yard and the most heavily used stretch of the river. Families, anglers, paddlers, and visitors from far and wide gather here year-round. However, years of flooding, erosion, and overuse have left this section of river unstable, unsafe, and degraded.

Without action, the west bank will continue to erode, infrastructure will deteriorate, and hazardous debris will remain scattered along the shoreline. Habitat for fish and wildlife has been lost, and public access has become increasingly unsafe. Every high-water event threatens to cause more damage to the park, its pathways, and the river itself. We saw this scenario play out during the flooding event of 2023.

The Kern River Restoration and Enhancement Project (sometimes known informally as the Whitewater Park project) offers a proven plan to repair and protect this vital section of river. It would stabilize the banks, replant native vegetation, improve fish habitat, and create safer river access for the public. It would include in-stream improvements to improve access and create "play" features designed for a variety of users and a variety of water levels. It would enhance recreation opportunities for a wide array of uses, supporting our recreation economy by attracting even more visitors from outside of Kern County. These improvements would not only protect the environment and Riverside Park but also support local recreation and small businesses that depend on a healthy riverfront.

Now is the time for Kern County to move this project forward. The design is complete, community support is strong, and each season of delay allows further damage. A restored Kern River will strengthen our local economy, enhance safety, and ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy and take pride in our community’s most important natural resource.