Richland Parks and Recreation Commission recommends $4,600 in park partnership grants for bike-park design and creek restoration

The Richland Parks and Recreation Commission on March 19 recommended that City Council approve $4,600 in Park Partnership Program funding: a $3,000 design grant to the Columbia Basin chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and a $1,600 restoration grant to Tapteel Greenway.

The grants were part of the commission’s review of four applications under the reimbursable Park Partnership Program, which offers up to one-third of project costs with a maximum award of $8,000 and a total of $40,000 available in 2026. Victor Waite, director of parks and public facilities, told commissioners that eligibility requires work on city-owned property and projects that are “open for general public benefit,” and that one application — an $8,000 request from the Tri-Cities radio-controlled modelers — was not recommended because it involved a leased, gated facility lacking general public access. Waite said staff would still help that group identify alternative support, including staff-assisted installation if the group pays materials.

"The first primary requirement is that the projects are done on city-owned property," Waite said, adding that projects should be “available to any community member” without special permission.

Representatives of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance described a community-driven design for a bike-park facility on the eastern edge of Badger Mountain Community Park and asked the city to fund final design, community engagement and specifications so the project can be built in a later cycle. Julie Nelson, president of the Columbia Basin chapter, said the chapter would provide most labor through volunteers and that Evergreen would work with the city to ensure a durable design and a maintenance agreement.

"What we are asking from City of Richland is to cover the cost of the design," Nelson said, explaining the chapter’s $3,000 request for a project with an estimated total cost of $9,288.75.

Evergreen representatives highlighted maintenance commitments and conservation-minded design, and said a designated, well-built facility would help deter illegal trail-building and dumping. Francesca Meyer, the chapter treasurer, noted the chapter’s statewide volunteer capacity and emphasized public engagement in the concept and final design.

Tapteel Greenway urged funding for restoration work in the Ammon Creek Natural Preserve, where volunteers and greenway staff have documented informal “rogue” trails, berms and other disturbances that officials say are inconsistent with the preserve’s mitigation-funded purpose. Mike Lilga, president of Tapteel Greenway, outlined the preserve’s history, said much of the land was acquired with mitigation funds and detailed a volunteer-driven plan to remove informal trails, revegetate disturbed areas with native shrubs and install materials to discourage future damage. The group requested $1,600 to purchase plants and materials; Tapteel Greenway plans substantial volunteer labor and ongoing watering and maintenance.

"If I have a vote, I would vote for Evergreen's proposal tonight," Lilga told commissioners, adding that creating legal opportunities for riders outside the preserve would help protect sensitive habitat.

Commissioners asked questions about maintenance responsibilities, insurance, master-plan implications and the footprint and visibility of proposed bike-park elements; Evergreen representatives said they would sign a maintenance agreement and that statewide Evergreen resources and professional trail builders would guide construction and long-term care. Staff said liability typically remains with the city under maintenance agreements and that the design process would include signage, standards and community engagement to limit unintended impacts.

Several commissioners voiced concern about creating a precedent for funding projects on leased or gated sites and asked staff to bring proposed clarifications to program criteria in a future workshop. Commissioners ultimately followed staff recommendations and voted to send the two eligible projects to City Council for approval.

The commission’s motion, made by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Thalapalli, recommended council approval of the Evergreen and Tapteel awards totaling $4,600; the motion passed on a voice vote. The meeting also included brief liaison and recreation reports, project updates on tennis-court fencing and the Riverfront Trail viewing platform, and farewell remarks to departing commissioners before adjournment.

City Council must now consider the commission’s recommendation before any funds are released under the Park Partnership Program.