SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The third and final stage of Somba K'e Park is nearly completed and the space is already generating positive reviews from residents.

"It's a great public place," said Shannon Ripley, picnicking with friend Claire Marchildon on Wednesday. Ripley said the park's central, downtown location and accessibility to the water made it a popular place to relax.

Nearing completion, Somba K'e Park outside city hall has become a popular place for Yellowknifers to relax this summer. Shannon Ripley, left, and Claire Marchildon spent their Wednesday noon hour honing their fiddling chops. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he's seen many people out playing Frisbee on the grass, sitting around reading books along the amphitheatre and walking their dogs at the park located beside city hall.

"There's been a lot of people out every day ever since the weather got nice," he said, adding Yellowknifers have taken wedding pictures at the park and "there is a continuous stream of people using the trail system."

"It's intended as a drawing, central point in the capital city," he said.

While the grass was a little wet Wednesday, a dozen or so Yellowknifers still spent their lunch hours there.

Ripley and Marchildon were among them. While they weren't flinging Frisbees, they did jam away on their fiddles.

The two have spent many a lunch hour at the park and have noticed the constantly changing landscape.

"Were there trees here yesterday?" asked Marchildon laughing on the grass, pointing to a staggered line of about a dozen small trees, planted on the grass near city hall.

While work continues, the final pieces will see the addition of a recreational building, where Yellowknifers will be able to comfortably tie up their skates for some winter ice-skating on the lake. The park will also be linked up to the existing Frame Lake Trail and a "massive" sculpture, created by Yellowknife artist T-Bo, will be installed on a walkway.

"It's getting close to where it's going to be," said Van Tighem.

Van Tighem said the park will be used for various city events, noting a gospel music concert and multiple activities were held there during the city's 75th anniversary.

"I'm sure in the future it will see such things as the Canada Day picnic, the community picnic," he said.

Van Tighem said the park also has the capability to host an event like a battle of the bands, with the park's electrical infrastructure.

He also added there is a chance the city could, in the future, look at purchasing a retractable shell to make the venue more weather-friendly, and which could attract performers to the city.

The park is also friendly to canoeists and water-enthusiasts.

"There are steps down to the water and there are bollards and bollards are good things to tie canoes to," he said.

Arctic Farmers was the park's main contractor, while Kayhan Nadji was its design expert.

Van Tighem said the final price tag on the park was approaching $3 million, but was quick to add the funds came from a "no strings attached" coffer, which flowed from the federal government to the territorial government and then to the city.

"It's all money that came through grants from community capacity grants," he said.

"I think little parts of it may have come out of capital funding, but that was transferred money as well."

Plans for a new library, which the mayor said would be seriously looked at about two to five years down the road, have been conceptually drawn on the park's present location.

"It could end up close by. It could end up further away," he said.

The mayor added there are a few general rules for the park.

"No poop, no litter and if you want to use it for specific functions, you should contact community services so it won't be conflicted with something else."