Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Projects Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Richland parks staff report staffing gains, Bateman Island lease work and upcoming playground and court projects
Summary
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.
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.
