Richland plans major Columbia Point playground replacement and shoreline stabilization; lodging tax request pending

Parks and Recreation Director Waite told the commission that replacing the Columbia Point Marina playground is a high priority because it is the last playground in the system with sand safety surfacing and much of its equipment dates back to the late 1980s/early 1990s. "This playground was put in in the late ... eighties, early nineties," Waite said, noting replacement parts are difficult to source and modern design standards are not met.

Waite said the parks fund has reached about $900,000 and staff requested an additional $200,000 from lodging tax, pending council approval, to bring the project to an estimated $1.1 million. "We've been over the years, making contributions to a fund to support improvements at Columbia Point Marina. So that fund has reached $900,000," Waite said. He added staff plans community engagement on preliminary designs this fall with a goal to bid in January so construction could proceed in 2027.

On an adjoining challenge, Waite described shoreline erosion at Columbia Point that threatens benches, trails and irrigation infrastructure. He said 2027 would focus on completing design and permitting—"So 2027, you won't see a lot of activity out there. It is our year to finish up design and permitting."—so construction could follow once permits are in place. Staff estimates roughly $250,000 to complete the design and permitting phase, with multiple stabilization methods under consideration and dredging treated as a companion, longer-term project requiring separate permitting.