[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6636138,"mediaKeyId","2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2","parentId",2615943,"title","Parks commission approves agenda, minutes and 2025 goals","audioSeconds",3662,"startMs",149000,"endMs",3811000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2&start=149&end=3811","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2/thumbnail_149000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636138/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Parks-commission-approves-agenda-minutes-and-2025-goals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636138-630a58840eca7604c814696c76e85945/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105805&Signature=iqzAc~2YEmR8L5vUK1pXdYPvNld2QTt33yfvJx6KgKlGuElDFZkdx9LyPN8Y~C3-sP-IXJn844vBSEmXI0HzJjy-c5Wn8NJcC~ptHlhIcE7-J4cILmpR2Bf3CjWLQMOHtVbZedwo1y55wfmEPREDBJj1CJfwx8helMJy16VvNTUwJmoC2oS4ogmE01xqgt4kQEs~rV2-y~9ZWtsOIRwKboqIBJw~guHUFovyRaPY2wJJg6aYUDScNtKrLCPHTFUq86tuQwj2fyvPwOCH7nHn786s9gp6Ej1CUbpDHjPto~PEfGSjgduU8ezEyHSHnKLp9KOJWeDJ8C5MuA~HX70oLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission on March 13 approved its meeting agenda, accepted minutes from Jan. 9 and the Jan. 23 workshop with a minor title correction, and adopted the commission’s 2025 goals after small edits.

Agenda and minutes: Vice Chair Gutierrez moved to approve the March 13 agenda with corrections and the addition of the January 23 workshop; Commissioner Hodges seconded the motion and the commission voted in favor. Commissioner Biltz moved to approve the Jan. 9 meeting minutes and the corrected Jan. 23 workshop minutes; Vice Chair Gutierrez seconded and the motion passed.

2025 goals: After editorial changes — removing an erroneous question mark in one objective and rephrasing an objective to provide recommendations as needed — Commissioner Biltz moved to adopt the 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission goals and Vice Chair Gutierrez seconded. The motion passed.

Outcome summary: all three motions were adopted by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

What was said: Commissioner Biltz offered minor wording changes to ensure objectives were framed as recommendations where appropriate. Chair Mason called for the votes after the motions were seconded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland - Parks and Rec. Commission - Mar 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission approved the March 13 meeting agenda, minutes for Jan. 9 and Jan. 23 and adopted its 2025 goals after minor wording edits; all motions passed unanimously.","taxTitle","Richland , Benton County, Washington","taxId",5097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636142,"Richland reports strong youth-sports participation, spring events and volunteer needs",389,475000,864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2&start=475&end=864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2/thumbnail_475000.jpg","/articles/6636142/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-reports-strong-youth-sports-participation-spring-events-and-volunteer-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636142-94880d25533cc987ff5101c357f2fc4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105805&Signature=jRVUrg7DLK~ZTYHl6F5s9916oWREYVGLlu8UNl9B5tCHTdaZRTtx1GVC8n6qJsLqQkjN3nj9uy899wI8Popwg-5ko4wzl0H~sVt4KBGAYjW5yOikQmNM4p7TkYy7nn033W7quGvZ~XIx~hw0oClby-bV1sUTlPSMRP-HCx0vUspOS7FjLmHmHTU5TfndmBLX8DBXpo350tR-i0sWxhGn-Y1AreTHKL8xOGSCcyYli6eyNyTbn8SGlx4W2n0JaoYlfO5M-Xw8qdcKlR5jstkOh~BUEp2g2~~FBRGTcPu02HOxA9I1HY9eHPZrE88nLVdceqiK4JbGn8NhM06NxIpXzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland recreation staff told commissioners on March 13 that youth and community programs continue to expand and that the department is finalizing its summer events roster and volunteer needs.

Highlights from Recreation Manager Julie Piper's report included more than 700 youth basketball players across 77 teams in grades 1–6, nearly 140 youth registered in the upcoming flag football season with late registration open through March 17, and a major expansion of the All Cities Volleyball League to accommodate third through eighth graders by separating days and doubling spots in the fifth–sixth grade division to 48 players.

Piper said recruiting volunteer coaches remains the department’s biggest operational challenge and thanked existing volunteers. She listed spring events including “Ready, Set, Hop” on April 12 and said registration and shirt ordering deadlines are posted on the city website.

Piper also reported that two staffers marked service anniversaries — Stan Johnson (34 years) and Trisha Morash (20 years) — and that she won the City Manager’s Award for Impact Player of the Year.

Why it matters: strong participation affects staffing, facility scheduling and volunteer recruitment for summer programs and organized leagues.

Next steps: Piper said the department will publish a near-final events roster next month, continue volunteer recruitment and proceed with spring program starts after registration deadlines.","Recreation staff said youth basketball had more than 700 players across 77 teams, volleyball and flag football registration is growing, and the department is preparing a full-year events roster and volunteer recruitment for summer programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636150,"Richland partners test low-cost sagebrush restoration and records Eagle Scout habitat projects",105,1989000,2094000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2&start=1989&end=2094","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2/thumbnail_1989000.jpg","/articles/6636150/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-partners-test-low-cost-sagebrush-restoration-and-records-Eagle-Scout-habitat-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636150-7946c20a1f3202df086c71bb5b04fa4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105805&Signature=J-mM1zKkEMANDUeJRWs4mKcoiaMvRss~ePJszUB--uH3ZDWmz0f2WMsnmD5N8lPB4eykdKqzZHpOlWeYgirwb37dV2CajO9FWgrYeeW6uYTLcjgljRNPtMqThvhI5tB4WP4GU6nnJc7~OBlqbw4DzmccHLpxPcHuco4eR2cxOG6AfXhA9UY0DqtXT4W3D~PQABlWN-dxJgqF-yzgauhEoIVMiAjv8vIrSkykQQ22ZKKaL4IoCSNEMDzyJUrXL3nYD-dWHUvbwhBmahG70LBMrpYVKkLQ9lz6jK3vzwnL3B1X2NZ8N8vrSVFwWJo01Sev1n4K4DcgwdUGftuvd0SA1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland Parks and Recreation staff reported on March 13 that the city is participating in pilot projects to reestablish sagebrush in shrub-steppe habitat and continuing volunteer-led native-planting efforts in natural open space.

What was done: the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and local partners harvested sagebrush branches from a donor parcel slated for road extension, then used several low-impact seeding techniques — “nurse host” plantings, seed balls, and a “tumbleweed” style of distributing cuttings — intended to collect moisture and help seeds establish. The technique had previously been tested in Nevada, staff said; the city will monitor results scientifically over multiple years.

Community partners: Waite highlighted work with Tapteel Greenway and two Eagle Scout projects that cleared noxious weeds and installed native plants at sites within Richland’s 2,800 acres of parkland. An Eagle Scout named Rohan led one project, Waite said, and the parks department identified additional similar volunteer efforts.

Why it matters: sagebrush is hard to reestablish by conventional planting; pilot methods that are low-cost and low-impact could help restore habitat ahead of development or road projects. Waite said Department of Fish and Wildlife local representative Troy Makas led the pilot and will assess success over the coming years. “Sagebrush in the shrub steppe habitat is traditionally hard to reestablish,” the video presentation stated.

Next steps: staff said they will continue monitoring, partner with community volunteers and evaluate pilot results before scaling up restoration efforts.","City staff and partners, including the Department of Fish and Wildlife and local volunteers, piloted a method to reestablish sagebrush and reported Eagle Scout restoration projects in Richland natural areas.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636153,"Richland gives timeline for Sturgeon Cove playground, pathway repairs and shoreline fixes",408,992000,1400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2&start=992&end=1400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2/thumbnail_992000.jpg","/articles/6636153/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-gives-timeline-for-Sturgeon-Cove-playground-pathway-repairs-and-shoreline-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636153-e8430402ef9d31702144ab74b11416fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105805&Signature=htAC3r9W6cel90TCnNEyER2EbduoP0lg8Ml8B6SnzGnqnWjEWzO8IHr8VqPn~lRwENQRWcTov8xzpt2eWyZzwNzkJdTXbtCsxkD8t1ib0KTNrz0SkjGffqiq0ygSLihHGagSQMuN7j-sD4Suf0srp6WMMh6mxxg8MFRCcScSXnx2IuryZDjFVnvKlalrLLyWUJgh1sctT5LbAtg-2rPcWNE9iQZ4NRDhyRlQ67YdwC9hAwX9aUE6XP4TeX54xEZcE8D~e-37duk4qumH8KiIS9uKUHOxH~LW0fNhzYbk0LpZq6Xkjc-3Q--rqmxDhXgkWkLp6wfMHmBnZDdm3c0x0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Facilities Director Chris Waite told the Parks and Recreation Commission on March 13 that a series of park and trail projects are moving toward construction or opening this year, including a target opening date for Sturgeon Cove Playground and repairs to access paths and shoreline infrastructure.

Why it matters: several projects affect access to popular waterfront assets and event venues, and some work depends on weather windows, funding or permitting.

Key project updates

- Sturgeon Cove Playground (Howardena Park): Waite said most playground components are on site and staff are aiming to reopen on Friday, May 16. The remaining critical item is installed fall protection — “we're in April looking for that window of weather where we're above 48 degrees and don't have rain for 2 weeks,” he said. The playground includes inclusive features and the city is a test site for some accessibility elements.

- McMurray Pathway: A section west of George Washington Way that had heaving from tree roots will be reconstructed; work is scheduled to start in early May and is expected to be brief.

- Little Badger trail system: Design and engineering for a steep-slope trail segment started last year; Waite said construction for that expensive section depends on securing funding and could be late 2026 or early 2027. Friends of Badger Mountain received a lodging-tax grant to support design and construction of a trailhead and parking lot; community engagement on that component will begin next month.

- Columbia Point / Columbia Point Marina shoreline and viewing platform: Waite said the viewing platform north of the Marriott and north of Columbia Point Marina was closed after undermining of concrete slabs and basalt pillars. City engineers are developing two 30% designs to compare cost and feasibility. The city is also discussing interim erosion-protection measures with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect trails and irrigation lines while a long-term solution is pursued.

- Clabo Park pickleball courts: side paths were installed primarily to move irrigation away from the courts and reduce surface moisture.

Traffic and access note: road construction this summer will affect the eastern entrance to Columbia Playfields (Columbia Point); the city expects business access to remain open but warned of impacts to field access during construction.

What was said: “The real key component is that fall protection which is a soft surface that goes underneath the playground,” Waite said of Sturgeon Cove. He described coordination with community partners on Little Badger and said the city will be sensitive to neighborhood concerns during trailhead planning.

Next steps: staff will monitor weather-dependent items, advance permit-driven shoreline designs and begin public engagement for the trailhead funded by lodging tax.","Public facilities staff set a May target to open Sturgeon Cove Playground, described McMurray Pathway repairs in early May, outlined Little Badger trail engineering and lodging-tax-funded trailhead work, and noted shoreline erosion work and a closed viewing platform near Columbia Point Marina.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6636157,"Richland to reopen Columbia Park West and Y Park after months-long closure; expanded patrols and outreach planned",853,1587000,2440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2&start=1587&end=2440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615943-ae88991af41c0e2321798bff6b676da2/thumbnail_1587000.jpg","/articles/6636157/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-to-reopen-Columbia-Park-West-and-Y-Park-after-months-long-closure-expanded-patrols-and-outreach-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636157-adf91191a5bbbff2cc3fc2d5dfdba487/orig.mp4?Expires=1775105805&Signature=MzZIVqzjUOy4OmViHYiWyVzH~hmmeKci6x9AmdJdgRL5OOM56QHw1w7itvJsE24--D13IL~a1QR9SOlu6~IGo9X4lH3ocLpY5uWalBuBYfefucXucHSHAP9eHom8oFC7YfcEGpDpGRcKaRrZJqgN-2BxJyQFSDm0hP~hdREWxIVMRrfHr-jQIHC61OCobrsxD8zoTGJe7umNP1SvNjPdF3tqHMeiXDtM8ersvmUP91hfUdODnVfm32QNEBzSYlAmi-CTuc8jfKBB8Jf6jFxaVOBWAqnIZD9ooBjRATeSNnddXOS-Qvc7J3K2zmDMI8Ea6gQ3ufhnxvI-OKVkAw9EMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission on March 13 voted to reopen Columbia Park West and Y Park after the parks were closed late last year because of repeated vandalism, fires and makeshift camps, Public Facilities Director Chris Waite said.

Waite said city staff took the parks offline to “give the park some opportunity to have a break from human activity” after an Oct. 18 fire and an increase in other unsafe or destructive incidents. “Closure is our tool of last resort,” he said during the commission meeting.

Why it matters: staff said the parks experienced escalating problems in 2024, including an increase in recorded incidents, concentrated campsites along the shoreline and fires that threatened park users and park infrastructure. City officials said they balanced public safety, asset protection and resource limitations when planning the reopening.

What the city did: Waite described a winter cleanup that included removing litter and hazardous material, pruning lower branches of shoreline Russian olive trees under permit to reduce hiding spots, and coordinating with Benton County Human Services to add a weekly resource navigator presence. The city also cataloged personal belongings found in camps and said those items are retained for 60 days with tagging and location information to allow retrieval.

Staffing and enforcement changes: Waite summarized an operational review that narrowed park ranger duties to patrol, volunteer oversight and special-event presence. The city currently has one full-time park ranger, two seasonal rangers who overlap in summer and one intermittent ranger; at peak staffing those roles can total four park rangers on duty. The Benton County resource navigator will visit weekly for the next two months, and the city will continue periodic outreach with a Fire Department resource navigator and police support.

Rules and procedures: Waite said if staff encounter an occupied campsite they will notify occupants they may not camp in the park and typically give time to collect belongings. For unoccupied campsites staff will post notice and follow a 72‑hour timeline before removing property and cleaning up, he said. “If we encounter a campsite that we don't we haven't had an interaction with a person at, so there's a campsite there but no one is there, we still will go through a 72 hour notice period,” Waite said.

Incidents and scale: staff reported 126 more-established campsites found across parks during a 10‑month tracking period and showed police-provided incident trends that rose notably in 2024. Waite said the city also found drug paraphernalia in shoreline areas and that some cleanups recovered hypodermic needles near picnic and marina access points.

Reopening plan and timing: the parks will reopen together rather than in phases; staff cited a planned Shamrock Run event and the availability of increased patrols as reasons to open both parks simultaneously. Waite said the city will reassess conditions and can pause access or pursue longer-term shoreline vegetation work, which would require additional permits and mitigation.

What officials said: Commissioner Biltz asked whether camping would be allowed; Waite replied that camping in parks will be prohibited and enforcement will be paired with offers of resource navigation. “Our goal is to also at that time engage with our resource navigators and hopefully provide pathways for individuals who are using the camp or the parks as a campsite to connect with resources,” he said.

Next steps: staff will continue coordinated patrols with Richland Police Department, schedule the weekly Benton County resource navigator visits, and monitor the shoreline and park conditions to determine whether further actions, including riparian restoration, are needed.","Parks and Recreation staff said Columbia Park West and Y Park will reopen after a winter closure prompted by vandalism, fires and repeated camping; the city described cleanup work, new operational rules and weekly outreach with a county resource navigator.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks commission approves agenda, minutes and 2025 goals

Richland reports strong youth-sports participation, spring events and volunteer needs

Richland partners test low-cost sagebrush restoration and records Eagle Scout habitat projects

Richland gives timeline for Sturgeon Cove playground, pathway repairs and shoreline fixes

Richland to reopen Columbia Park West and Y Park after months-long closure; expanded patrols and outreach planned