Parks commission recommends $30,653 for four community park projects, conditions Allied Arts tree mitigation

The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission on March 27 recommended that city council award $30,653.22 from the Park Partnership program to four community projects, with a condition that the Allied Arts Association provide mitigation if a mature tree is removed as part of its sculpture garden installation.

The commission—s motion, made by Vice Chair Gutierrez and seconded by Commissioner Thalapalli, passed unanimously. Vice Chair Gutierrez read the motion stating the commission "recommends that the council approve $30,653.22 of funds towards the projects of the Tapteal Greenway, the Reach Foundation, the Tri City Kart Club, and the Allied Arts Association, with the clarification that the Allied Arts Association would provide mitigation for removal of the current tree." The motion was adopted with all commissioners voting in favor.

The Park Partnership program allocates annual matching grants from the city—s park reserve fund to community-led projects. Director Chris Waite told the commission the program typically secures $40,000 each year from the reserve fund and that grants are limited to reimbursing up to one-third of total project cost, with in-kind donations accepted as part of applicants' matches.

The four recommended projects and the commission—s funding recommendations are:

- Tapteal Greenway: $653.22. The group, represented by David McBurney, vice president, proposed a family-oriented scavenger-hunt signage and QR-code guide for two loops in the Chomna Natural Area (or, if permissions are not granted there, the Amman Basin or W.E. Johnson natural areas). McBurney said the project budget of roughly $2,300 includes about $650 for aluminum signs and hardware and the remainder as in-kind development and installation support.

- Hanford Reach interpretive kiosks and panels (Hanford Reach Citizens Committee / Reach Museum partnership): $8,000. Presenters described fabrication and installation of a new three-panel kiosk near the Snyder Street boat ramp at Leslie Groves Park and four panels to go in two existing kiosks (including a location near the Park Street playground). The project will include five panels developed in collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Service and the Reach Museum; a ribbon-cutting is planned for Aug. 6 timed with the Reach Museum—s 25th anniversary events.

- Tri City Kart Club curbing: $8,000. Rick Burke, representing the club, requested funds to install roughly 600 linear feet of kart-club specification curbing at the off-road kart track near the Richland landfill. Burke said the curbing reduces safety hazards caused when karts dip a wheel off the track and preserves the track surface; the club plans volunteer labor and in-kind contributions and requested city support for the contractor work.

- Allied Arts Association sculpture garden: $8,000. Mary, representing Allied Arts, proposed an eight-slab rotating outdoor sculpture garden at the gallery at the Lee Boulevard entrance to Howard Amon Park, accompanied by a native-plant garden. Allied Arts asked the city to remove a mature tree that the group said is contributing debris and drainage issues at the gallery. Commissioners and staff discussed permitting steps (including tribal notification) and potential mitigation planting in Howard Amon Park if the tree is removed.

Commissioners asked applicants to provide follow-up updates on project progress; several commissioners emphasized the value of receiving status reports after grants are awarded so the commission can track implementation.

Next steps: the commission—s recommendation will be forwarded to Richland City Council for final approval and any contract or construction permitting steps will follow council action and applicable department reviews.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Recommend council approve $30,653.22 in Park Partnership funds for four projects (mover: Vice Chair Gutierrez; second: Commissioner Thalapalli). Outcome: recommended (unanimous). - Tapteal Greenway — recommended $653.22 for scavenger-hunt signage (presenter: David McBurney). - Hanford Reach kiosks/panels — recommended $8,000 (presenters: Hanford Reach Citizens Committee/Reach Museum team). - Tri City Kart Club curbing — recommended $8,000 (presenter: Rick Burke). - Allied Arts sculpture garden — recommended $8,000; commission included clarification that Allied Arts "would provide mitigation for removal of the current tree" if the city and project require tree removal.

Funding totals and recommended conditions match the commission motion as recorded in the March 27 meeting.