A fresh splash at Ben Lee Park

Ben Lee Park waterpark has long been one of Rutland’s most cherished summer destinations.

“This park is a place many Rutland families know well. It’s where kids come to cool off on hot summer days, where neighbours run into each other, and where families can spend time together close to home,” said Mac Logan, the City’s General Manager of Infrastructure.

With a series of new upgrades now complete, the park is stepping into its next chapter, offering refreshed play experiences that reflect the needs of a growing and diverse community.

Rooted in community needs

As one of Kelowna’s busiest free waterplay areas, the Ben Lee waterpark plays an essential role in providing accessible recreation. The latest improvements strengthen that role by renewing aging features and introducing new elements designed to spark imagination, movement and shared play.

Play is a critical component of childhood development, health and wellbeing – and waterplay features are designed to support kids’ cognitive, social and emotional, creative and physical growth.

The new upgrades include an activity tower, splash blasters, a water weaver, a tidal wave, and new activator posts — all selected to support a wide range of ages and abilities. These additions help ensure the park remains a welcoming, inclusive space where children can explore and families can spend time together without barriers.

Aligned with the big picture

These improvements didn’t happen in isolation. They reflect the City’s commitment to investing in ensuring that every neighbourhood has access to high‑quality outdoor spaces.

The revitalization of Ben Lee Waterpark aligns closely with the City’s parks planning guidelines, which emphasize:

• Renewing aging park assets to extend their lifespan
• Enhancing accessibility so parks can be enjoyed by residents of all ages and abilities
• Creating vibrant community destinations that encourage social connection
• Supporting equitable access to recreation across all neighbourhoods

Ben Lee Park is a community hub, and the upgrades were designed to offer Rutland residents a vibrant, welcoming and thoughtfully designed space to play, connect and grow for years to come.

“It’s about improving the places people use every day and making sure our neighbourhoods continue to be great places to live, now and into the future,” said Logan.

Reinvesting in this well‑loved community park ensures the park continues to serve as a high‑value recreational asset for Rutland.

Celebrating community

As families return to the water park this season, they’ll find a space that feels both familiar and refreshed — a place built with care and aligned with Kelowna’s long‑term vision for vibrant public spaces.

Visit kelowna.ca/parks to explore over 200 City-owned parks, beaches and green spaces in Kelowna.