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Richland parks reopenings, outreach pilot and openings scheduled; staff report progress
Summary
Director Waite reported reopenings at Columbia Park West and White Park, a partner outreach pilot that connected 13 unhoused individuals to services, a May 16 grand opening for Sturgeon Cove Playground, and other operational updates including hiring a new park supervisor.
Richland Parks and Recreation staff reported progress on park reopenings, an outreach pilot for unhoused individuals and several upcoming events and openings at the Commission’s April 10 meeting.
Director Chris Waite said Columbia Park West and White Park have reopened and staff have not seen a recurrence of the incidents that previously prompted closures. As part of the reopening, staff started a pilot outreach program in coordination with Benton County Human Services and other community partners; Waite said the teams made contact with 13 unhoused individuals in the first two weeks and assisted a number with referrals and emergency housing placement.
Waite credited the Richland Police Department with accompanying staff on outreach visits and providing support. He also said the city hired Jonathan Colvin as a park supervisor; Colvin will start next month and the department plans a formal introduction at a future meeting.
The department set May 16 at 11 a.m. for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Sturgeon Cove Playground at Howard Amon Park, Waite said. He noted that the date coincides with the close of a statewide parks and recreation conference being hosted in the Tri-Cities, and staff expect to invite conference attendees to the celebration.
West Village Park is progressing: Waite said the turf was hydroseeded last fall, irrigation testing is scheduled for about April 15, and staff want several mowings before scheduling a grand opening. In reopened parks, staff reported one instance of restroom tagging but otherwise described the sites as “fairly clean.”
Julie Piper, who delivered the recreation report earlier in the meeting, promoted an April weekend event called Ready, Set, Hop featuring 5,000 Easter eggs and a color walk at Howard Amon Park. Piper also noted that American Cruise Lines vessels are beginning to call at the city this season and that staff can arrange ship tours when the vessels are in port.
Waite also recognized staff achievements: he said Julie (Piper) was elected Eastern Regional Representative for the Washington Recreation and Parks Association. He said the pilot outreach and partner visits have been “extremely successful” and that the department plans to continue the weekly outreach visits with community partners.
Commissioners were invited to participate in upcoming park events and in future ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
