A site along the Whitefish River scarred from intense use during river cleanup work has been rehabilitated into a public park and nonmotorized boat launch.

Completion of the park signals an official end to five years of work by BNSF Railway to remove contaminated soils from the waterway.

Officials from BNSF, the city of Whitefish and Lt. Gov. John Walsh gathered Thursday at the Whitefish Landing to dedicate the river access.

“We think the Whitefish Landing is a perfect way to recognize the city and community for their cooperation and patience as we worked to complete this project,” said Allen Stegman, general environmental director at BNSF Railway.

Cleanup on the Whitefish River began in 2009 after petroleum products were found in river sediment at several sites. The Environmental Protection Agency ordered BNSF to clean up the area.

The $10 million project spanned 1.5 miles of the river. About 26,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils were removed and back-filled with clean river rock. Work was completed this summer.

“It was a very complicated project,” Stegman said. “We think people will notice a dramatic improvement in the river’s water quality and enjoy it for years to come.”

The railroad approached the city this year about creating the Whitefish Landing below the roundhouse along the bike and pedestrian path near Miles Avenue and First Street.

The site of the Whitefish Landing was used during the cleanup as a staging area for a crane and heavy machinery, and as an access point to launch cleanup boats.

Today, new soil and plants have been brought in and the access road has been regraded into a gravel path.

People will be able to launch canoes, paddleboards and kayaks, although no motorized access will be allowed at the landing.

A $25,000 grant from the BNSF Foundation funded the creation of the park.

The railroad still owns the landing property, but a long-term lease with the city has been established to maintain public access to the river.

Walsh highlighted the collaboration between the railroad, the city of Whitefish and the EPA.

“This truly does show that when people get together and work together, some great things can happen,” Walsh said.

“I look forward to bringing my boys and grandchildren back here to drop a line.”

Baldwin is the editor of the Whitefish Pilot.