The Ķemeri Landscape Park with its network of winding paths along the Vēršupīte River was designed and started in 1839 by the Riga landscape gardener Karl Heinrich Wagner. The park’s formation and development continued over the next hundred years. After the construction of the Ķemeri Hotel in 1936, a symmetrical parterre with lawns, flower planting and paths was created on its western side. Walking in the park was considered one of the prerequisites for the recovery of the sick. Several bridges were built across the Vērš River and named ‘Nopūtu’, ‘Kaprīžu’, ‘Muzikālais’, etc. In the 1930s, the total length of the park’s paths reached 15 km, and the Vēršupīte and canals could be navigated by small boats.

Jūrmala State City Municipality has completed the reconstruction and restoration of Ķemeri Park in August 2021. The park’s network of walking paths, bridges over the Vēršupīte, park pavilions have been rebuilt and renovated, the banks of the Vēršupīte have been reinforced, streets have been rebuilt and renovated, parking and cycle racks have been built, lighting and CCTV cameras have been installed for the safety of visitors. The greenery of the park has been improved – trees and magnificent plants have been planted, benches have been placed in the park for the convenience of visitors.

Photos from Jūrmala TIC archive