[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6485720,"mediaKeyId","5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d","parentId",5587778,"title","Richland parks staff report staffing gains, Bateman Island lease work and upcoming playground and court projects","audioSeconds",926,"startMs",595000,"endMs",1521000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d&start=595&end=1521","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d/thumbnail_595000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6485720/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-parks-staff-report-staffing-gains-Bateman-Island-lease-work-and-upcoming-playground-and-court-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485720-7847792080b7dba25d1087c9516c3384/orig.mp4?Expires=1770979004&Signature=W8cmORy6k95mo3WJ50eYMkDfF2bJRzdXkkmF45oV4Mh3eEqmQwfhYooFyvBn-87EEMrcdK9gL9Dm-X8hAi33sLgP53uDOipolPayw56BbXOqnl-v3UfuL7nUUEzhfTJwJCveN4ZwOqdzMM9k0UiO2vc2aLQHQ-G64i2E1V3Of7cwWr1tyLO2uejLh07N9GrDL0x~o2RtlDIuFXugm0~LoihAo5kL8pAh3M0qSosCSJDATxEu4i~ApEVTmzLeWRlid87N4NH1fhV93YCQtmWQZ-HUyidFqLCwyfPSnhriZq5J673lta8cgQ8-YLOSgaGOweOivcIYewZBnQ8hJxD3tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland","date","2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","article","At its Aug. 14 meeting, the Richland Parks and Recreation Commission received updates on parks staffing, several capital projects and current recreation programs.

Director Waite introduced Jonathan Colvin as the parks and public facilities supervisor and said staffing shortfalls have nearly been filled: “we are all down to just 1 position that is remaining that is not yet filled.” Jonathan and Waite outlined near‑term maintenance and capital items staff plan to address as events slow for the season.

Waite said the city submitted paperwork to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about 6 weeks earlier to begin a lease modification for Bateman Island. He said Corps action could align with planned causeway removal work during the in‑water work window this winter, which staff expect be active around December and January.

On the Marriott courtyard viewing platform, staff received 90% design plans and have submitted a budget request for next fiscal year to stabilize the shoreline using a mechanically stabilized earth product so that the existing viewing footprint is retained. Waite said a vegetative slope option would have required losing most of the viewing platform.

Jonathan Colvin described day‑to‑day operations and maintenance priorities, including an upcoming irrigation rebuild at Steptoe to recover vegetation lost to damaged irrigation systems. “Curb appeal is a big deal to me, and I want that to be reflected in our facilities and parks,” Colvin said.

Staff provided project timing and outreach updates: West Village Community Park playground design will return to the commission with mock‑ups in September after community input; the tennis‑court rehabilitation at Leslie Groves is out to bid and the window closes Aug. 18 with an anticipated council award in September; and staff will perform park and restroom audits this fall to set maintenance priorities.

On recreation programs, Julie Piper summarized a busy summer season: pool operations wind down for regular season but lap swim and high‑school season support continue, flag‑football registration is open with about 120 participants, and the department will host adaptive lessons through DSAMC’s I Can Swim program next week. Piper also noted City of Richland outreach efforts at National Night Out and Art in the Park and encouraged residents to complete a six‑week parks plan survey that opened the prior Friday.

Waite said the donation policy draft remains in progress and staff expect to return a final draft that incorporates commission comments. He also reminded commissioners of an annual volunteer appreciation event set for Sept. 30 and the Tri Cities Area Park Board meeting scheduled for Oct. 30 at the community center.

Commissioners asked for a subcommittee to revisit a possible trail conversion of an irrigation maintenance road; staff requested commission participation to support outreach to the irrigation district. No formal action was taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland - Parks and Rec. Commission","oneSentenceSummary","City staff reported increased staffing, capital projects and community outreach: Bateman Island lease paperwork submitted to the Army Corps of Engineers, shoreline stabilization plans for the Marriott courtyard viewing platform, Steptoe irrigation and revegetation, West Village playground design updates and a tennis‑court bid closing Aug. 18.","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},6485725,"Ironman 70.3 Washington returns Sept. 21; Richland staff outline course changes, traffic plans",2243,2817000,5060000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d&start=2817&end=5060","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d/thumbnail_2817000.jpg","/articles/6485725/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Ironman-703-Washington-returns-Sept-21-Richland-staff-outline-course-changes-traffic-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485725-c43bdc6211aa4fb581edf419a014f90b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770979004&Signature=NZtl7dY6k6gwvCId02sZTLatkiV5e4x2lOi~oNIfDYA7nVOBuEFLI5dGhQHl-Ke7ZFp4nJMRQHgdwu6pYa05zpt3myGCtNcFj5QXn9ITk4T-9iLRbnxzrcj6nDNY-1J1UsV10EikERRIxly02sWutzlKwT3R0Tq8YN5menomuxiBzcQsDk70hH1ylkr4vn0MrwABFUtpgZ1dUr8eSfRCetC7z6fawxgbZ95ld3Qw9NRIqKJFebxOOX-6T7RVTyoTXPVUmOckwVstHyBcA~TPBSrwjHnV2gujhtcXHZNMKIdQtyk1cfB~Mcg3FEfAXK42MFBkLer5QP2DFxll-W~~UQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richland staff and race organizers told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Aug. 14 that Ironman 70.3 Washington will return on Sept. 21, 2025, and outlined course routing, traffic‑control planning and public‑information tools designed to reduce disruption to residents and businesses.

Julie Piper, who presented the event update, said the Ironman staging and transition at Columbia Point Marina Park and the downriver swim from Howard Amon Park remain central to the course. She said organizers had revised the 2025 bike routing to reduce a traffic “bubble” that created bottlenecks in Central Richland during the 2024 event.

“This is almost comical,” Piper said as she introduced a recap video of the 2024 event; later in her presentation she praised the community: “Our parks are beautifully manicured. Our facilities are phenomenal. We have a beautiful waterfront.”

Piper described operational details: swimmers start at Howard Amon Park and move downriver to Columbia Point; transition and bike racking are at Columbia Point; the bike course will use the east side of George Washington Way northbound, cross Dupertail Bridge, pass through West Richland and return via established roadway segments. Staff said the revised routing and timing should limit long closures and keep some business access open along the route.

City staff, Visit Tri‑Cities and Ironman said they will refine communications this year with an interactive traffic‑impact map, targeted signage along the Riverfront Trail and a volunteer hotline run by local volunteers to help residents plan travel on race day. Piper said the interactive map shows intersections and the time window each segment will be impacted and that organizers will publish it through Visit Tri‑Cities and other partners.

Piper reviewed lessons learned from 2024: some partners and stakeholder groups joined planning late, volunteer shuttles were delayed by traffic, and some residents found the traffic graphics hard to parse. She said organizers will limit the earlier “bubble” in routing, improve communication with hospital and emergency partners, and refine marshaling to reduce vehicle backups.

The commission was asked to help publicize volunteer opportunities; Piper said relay team slots were full and volunteer registration remained open. She also noted lodging‑tax marketing support and a QR code distributed in utility mailers that links to course and traffic information.

No vote was required; staff said they will continue weekly planning calls with regional partners and will provide updated maps and the race traffic plan as they become available.","City staff reviewed the race course, lessons learned from 2024 and communications and traffic‑control improvements for the Ironman 70.3 Washington Tri‑Cities event scheduled for Sept. 21, 2025.",{"_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},6485730,"Commission hears update on security trailers, cameras and ranger changes after park complaints",653,1504000,2157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d&start=1504&end=2157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587778-ed95e47058e4087531da56e2583bd48d/thumbnail_1504000.jpg","/articles/6485730/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Commission-hears-update-on-security-trailers-cameras-and-ranger-changes-after-park-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6485730-4e2457837ab6258baa6862522a5325b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770979004&Signature=mixYTmsIy27zGoWoCMrVLxG7hyk-Xe6gP0~D14NEk3I30RkDyayJ~x20eqKDCh9sLAG-Ci10nK5IV2cKZIm1UPiaATwlcl9-oDfIEmmSOkRs~GWcXgL94vgDK-rgPFeifKjB7l5bwkMd09fnLvF~P4xxbf2K8H93n4bWRqruSpEq4BafNnwGI9le935a745yn6zFsXLehXAvVSEZFwOPvL7WgSaoAhVACh-ELoTWBxcOhRx2lNAiI5hTfvxsQ9zTqNPGmIJJuUC31XKxgfkHjurXVJJyJW1gC9DoZa5VXhBUPglkPhKqxg4FoSN1k9cpQriOtiViwCnKT2xmqpmYfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission on Aug. 14 heard a staff briefing on recent safety and security measures in city parks, including the placement of four mobile security trailers, an upcoming fixed camera installation and operational changes to park‑ranger schedules.

The briefing, presented by Director Waite during the commission's regular meeting, described the city’s recent investments and operational changes intended to deter after‑hours gatherings, reduce vehicle-related nuisances and improve patrol coverage in higher‑use parks.

Director Waite said the city “has received 4 security trailers. The first 1 was placed in Badgemont Community Park.” He said two trailers were deployed to the uptown parking lot and that a fixed camera with similar capabilities is being prepared for Claibail Park once power and pole infrastructure are in place. Waite added that the trailer‑cameras include visible flashing lights and the capability to broadcast sounds and are monitored by a third party so dispatch can be alerted when needed.

Staff described several short‑term physical changes: installation of a speed hump this fall in the east drive aisle at Badgermont Community Park and rubber parking bumpers in Claibail Park to slow vehicles and improve pedestrian safety. Waite said crews will also perform audits of parks and restrooms to prioritize maintenance and repairs.

The commission also heard that the city staggered seasonal park‑ranger start dates so a seasonal ranger overlaps with the full‑time ranger during shoulder seasons and coverage is increased during summer months. Waite stressed the rangers’ role is educational rather than enforcement: “They're primarily focused on education. They don't have enforcement capabilities.”

Commissioners pressed staff on how enforcement and public outreach will work in practice. Commissioner Thompson said he had noticed a marked drop in street racing near Badgermont since the trailer's placement: “I live in South Richland … since this has been installed maybe twice a week, it's really been noticeably cut down on on the street racing and and just the noise out there.” Thompson asked whether the trailers had been vandalized; staff said they had not experienced vandalism.

Commissioner Christ asked staff to consider clearer signage and outreach about trail speeds and motorized vehicle rules, citing growing concerns about e‑bike speeds and dirt‑bike use on trails. Waite acknowledged that signage is limited now to a congested stretch of the Riverfront Trail and said expanded signage and coordinated positive messaging with police are likely next steps: improved signs in targeted areas and occasional police ambassadors to reinforce trail speed rules.

Commissioners and staff discussed reporting channels for residents who witness prohibited activity. Waite recommended calling police when incidents rise to criminal behavior and noted police have been responsive to park problems; he also suggested a future workshop with the police department to present safety trends and allow commissioners to ask how they can help. The commission agreed to try to schedule a fall workshop for that presentation.

Staff noted partnerships with organized sports groups have reduced congestion and parking violations at some fields through improved communication about scheduling and parking. Waite said the city will continue operational changes, monitor outcomes and return with updates.

The presentation was informational; no formal action or vote was taken.","The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission received an update on new security trailers and camera installations, changes to park-ranger scheduling, and short-term facility fixes aimed at reducing late‑night disorder and speeding problems on trails.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richland parks staff report staffing gains, Bateman Island lease work and upcoming playground and court projects

Ironman 70.3 Washington returns Sept. 21; Richland staff outline course changes, traffic plans

Commission hears update on security trailers, cameras and ranger changes after park complaints