Derby’s newest park opens this weekend — after flooding recedes

With recent heavy rains, Derby’s newest recreational resource, Warren Riverview Park, experienced high water levels rising up over its access area to the Arkansas River, putting it several feet under water.

Not a worry for Robert Mendoza, the city’s public works director who is heading up the park’s design and construction.

“If you play by the river, you’re going to expect to get wet,” he said.

The flooding was an ideal “stress test” for the park before it opens to the public on Oct. 20, he said.

The river went up to its 12-foot flood stage and unlike times when it’s low, the water was flowing at a fast rate.

“Everything there is designed to be flooded,” he said. “It’s a great thing we’re doing it now because it’s still ‘under warranty.’”