While earth-moving equipment had already begun to turn over dirt at Hood River’s waterfront, celebrants gathered Friday to give the park its official kickoff with a groundbreaking ceremony.

Mayor Linda Streich addressed a small group of supporters, including those involved with the Waterfront Community Park Association.

“Consider the path that led us to it from concept to reality, from all the years it took the community to debate the issue,” Streich said.

“We are creating so much more than a park; this is the first step in transforming the waterfront.”

The work taking place now is the first phase, which includes at its centerpiece an inset beach. Because of federal rules governing fish migration, Kerr Construction must finish with its in-water work by March 15.

Phase one also includes a spiral, stair-stepped water access ramp to the west of the beach and plantings bordered by a main path. The beach is intended to be built with a gradual slope from 72 percent at the low water level to 90 percent at the existing top of the bank. The work also includes a retaining seawall and a path as well as berms and seeding the area.

The Hood River waterfront has been an area of contention for many years with on-again, off-again plans for its development that have run the gamut from a waterfront hotel to the current park. Streich credited the Port of Hood River with moving the vision of a community park to fruition by donating the $1.7-million land formerly known as Lot 6 for the park.

Because of Kerr Construction’s low bid, at $809,554, Hood River City Manager Bob Francis said the park’s first phase should be entirely paid for.

“If the contract goes according to plan, then we have enough,” Francis said.

The money to pay for the construction came from a $500,000 state grant and $387,000 raised by the WCPA from solicited pledges, donations and fund-raisers.

To fund the remaining pieces of the park’s design, Francis said the city needs an additional $1 to $1.5 million.

WCPA member Christine Knowles said the work is already underway to raise money for the second phase. That includes funding such items as picnic tables, decorative benches, bike racks and a picnic shelter.

“For phase two there are some decisions to be made,” Knowles said. “Once we start planning, there are a number of ways to do that work.”

She encouraged people to come to the Waterfront Community Park Association’s next event to find out more about how they can help with the rest of the park.