River’s Bend Park

CHALLENGE

As the southern portion of West Fargo experienced rapid growth, the City needed to ensure its new neighborhoods like River’s Bend at The Preserve, offered high-quality, year-round amenities to match resident expectations and enhance livability. The challenge was to create a park that balanced active recreation, natural beauty, and seamless integration with one of the area’s most upscale residential developments.

Though not located in a designated floodplain, the park lies adjacent to the Sheyenne River, requiring the construction of a protective berm to guard against potential river breakouts. Designing around this feature added complexity, as did the goal of maximizing usable space in a 3.5-acre core park while preserving mature tree cover and riparian character. In addition, the City, Park District, HOA, and developer all had input in creating a unified aesthetic that complemented the neighborhood’s architectural and landscape standards.

SOLUTION

Moore Engineering, Inc. led the planning, design, and construction of the 35-acre park in close coordination with the City of West Fargo and the Park District. The centerpiece is a multifunctional warming house that doubles as an activity shelter and visual focal point, providing gathering space, restrooms, and parking. The park features a sledding hill built from on-site fill, a seasonal ice rink, ADA-accessible playground, large gazebo, LED lighting, benches, and pet-friendly drinking fountains.

Over two miles of paved trails and a 0.75-mile crushed concrete nature trail wind through green space and wooded areas, featuring bollard lighting and workout equipment for year-round access. The nature trail was strategically placed on a flood mitigation berm to minimize environmental impact and maintain accessibility during wet seasons.

OUTCOME

River’s Bend Park is now a defining feature of one of West Fargo’s most desirable neighborhoods. It offers residents of all ages access to recreation, wellness, and community gathering space throughout the year. The project successfully blends modern design with natural features and reflects strong stakeholder collaboration. The park enhances citywide livability, supports long-term planning goals, and stands as a model for sustainable park development in growing urban areas.