Ketchum, Idaho (KMVT-TV) A river park is one step closer to reality in Ketchum. In a news release today, the Ketchum City Council says it has taken two steps toward creating the River Park at Sun Peak, unanimously approving both a master plan and a $101,240 contract to prepare the environmental assessment required by the Bureau of Land Management.

Two private groups, the Wood River Land Trust and the White Water Park Committee, each agreed Monday to contribute one third of the cost of the environmental assessment, leaving the city’s share at $33,747.

The city has applied to the BLM for what is known as a “patent,” which would give the city the right to create the park. The BLM owns the land at the proposed site.

The park, to be created in cooperation with the Wood River Land Trust, would offer trails, river and pond access, habitat restoration, wildlife viewing, dog play areas and a white water feature along approximately 1,500 feet of the Big Wood River north of Ketchum near Hulen Meadows.

The white water park would offer a place for novice to expert kayakers to test their water safety skills. Strategically placed features would create a variety of waves during the early spring and summer floating season.

The contract for the environmental assessment was awarded to S2o Design and Engineering, the Colorado firm that also developed the master plan master plan in conjunction with local community groups. S2o specializes in river parks and recreation design and is headed by Scott Shipley, a veteran of three Olympic Games and holder of four world titles in kayaking. The city hopes to complete the river park as soon as all approvals are received from various local, state and federal agencies, Smith said. The city would like to begin construction in 2014 with opening in the spring of 2015.