Category Overview
Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.
Project Highlights
The project will provide a safe regional facility for youth to skateboard, in-line skate and ride BMX bikes, hold skating and bicycling competitions and shoot hoops. The site is within the east end of Columbia Park on a currently under utilized ‘old’ concrete tennis court. It is planned to place a pre-engineered steel ramp system on a double set of 1960’s concrete tennis courts. The park would have evening lighting. Col. Park is located within the center of the Tri-Cities and has transit service to both ends of the park. From those locations youth can ride safe bike paths to the Skate/Bike Park location. The site is adjacent to existing year-round restroom facilities, a seasonal concession stand, other regional family activities and there is adequate parking for those who have vehicle transportation. This location will keep the youth part of other family activities and with the existing park infrastructure, allows a large facility to be placed to serve the needs of all ‘wheeled’ youth riding sports at a low cost. The pre-engineered steel system allows modification of the ramp location and low maintenance of the ramps. It allows for easier conversion in the future, for different uses and the addition of ramps as use demands. The Tri-Cities has one small skate park in Kennewick that is over utilized. This proposal will design for, and has room to accommodate, all ‘wheeled’ users.