Students To Plant Trees At Arbor Day Event In Richland On Friday (Photo) -04/23/25

Join us as we recognize Arbor Day and continue our commitment as a “Tree City USA” and “Tree Line USA” community on Friday, April 25^th, 1:00 p.m. at Craighill Park. Students from nearby Lewis and Clark Elementary School will arrive on foot at about 12:45 p.m. to assist in the planting of three trees in the neighborhood park.

The program will kick off with remarks from Parks & Public Facilities Director Chris Waite, and a proclamation read by Mayor Theresa Richardson before the planting begins. Students will then watch a demonstration of how to properly plant a tree before dividing up in groups to plant the remaining 3 trees.

• When: Friday, April 25, at 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Craighill Park, 200 Craighill Avenue, Richland WA
• Why: To celebrate Arbor Day and two Tree USA Designations

 Hope to see you there!

Richland Launches “Future In Focus” Planning Initiative (Photo) -04/22/25

The City of Richland is excited to announce the official launch of Future in Focus, a bold and inclusive planning initiative that brings together three major efforts—our Comprehensive Plan, City-wide Transportation Systems Plan, and Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan—into one unified vision for Richland’s future. 

As Richland continues to grow and evolve, now is the time for residents to help shape what comes next. Future in Focus invites everyone in our community to get involved and share their ideas for how we live, move, and connect with green space for decades to come. 

“This is about more than just planning,” said Joe Schiessl, Deputy City Manager. “Future in Focus is an opportunity for every resident to have a voice in building a city that works better for everyone—today and tomorrow.” 

Why It Matters 
Richland is full of potential, and Future in Focus ensures we’re planning thoughtfully and inclusively. By aligning key city plans and gathering community input, we’re laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, accessible, and vibrant city for all. 

How to Participate 
The City has launched a new web hub at www.ci.richland.wa.us/futureinfocus where residents can: 

• Learn more about each of the three plans 
• Take surveys and share ideas 
• See upcoming meetings, events and engagements 
• Sign up for monthly updates 

Engagement Opportunities will include: 

• Online tools, surveys, and interactive maps 
• In-person or virtual open houses 

To stay informed, follow the City of Richland on social media and visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/futureinfocus. Let’s build a brighter future—together. 

Richland Public Library's 4-Day Book Sale Begins Next Week (Photo) -04/17/25

The Friends of the Richland Library’s 4-Day Book Sale begins Wednesday, April 23 through Saturday, April 26^th in the Gallery Room of the Richland Public Library. 

There are thousands of books from a wide variety of subjects and genres to choose from. There are also magazines, games, audio books, CDs and DVDs too. 

• Wednesday, April 23, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - members only

• Thursday, April 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

• Friday, April 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm.

• Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Fill a Bag for $5

Memberships are available for $10.00 per individual, or $15.00 for a family.

All proceeds are redirected back to support and expand library activities and programs like the summer reading, story times, lectures, musical performances, and various STEAM programs.

Friends of the Library, a non-profit volunteer organization, is accepting new members and volunteers. More information is available at https://www.myrichlandlibrary.org/about-us

The Richland Public Library is located at 955 Northgate Drive. 

For more information, contact 509-942-7656.

Explore Richland Parks: Over 50 Park Visits With Tours And History Programs Scheduled (Photo) -04/15/25

Richland’s Parks and Public Facilities Department is excited to continue its series of public park tours. The initiative called “52 in ’25” kicked off at Badger Mountain Trailhead Park in January 2025.  Not all parks will be physically toured, but the park setting will be used for a lively and educational discussion.

The 52 in ’25 series is the brainchild of Parks & Public Facilities Director Chris Waite, who will lead most of these free tours. Chris will highlight some of the diverse park settings, landscapes and amenities offered throughout our community. Participants need not even register, just show up ready to explore, learn, and have fun!

The tours are a unique opportunity for residents of all ages to experience the beauty and history of our city parks. Participates will be led on a journey, offering fascinating insights into park and city history, fun facts, and the inner workings of maintaining these beloved locations.

Each tour offers:

• Park and City History & Education
• Fresh Air & Exercise
• Fun for the Whole Family

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to the area, there’s always something new to discover in our parks. So, grab your walking shoes and water bottle, dress in layers, and come enjoy the great outdoors while learning more about the spaces that make our community special. Most tours last an hour unless noted. During inclement weather, be sure to first check out our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/richlandparksandrecreation) for delays or cancelations. You can also call 509-942-PLAY.

April dates include:

• Wednesday, April 16, at 4:00 p.m., Brookstone Park, 2800 Emerald Street
• Wednesday, April 23 at 5:00 p.m., Claybell Park and Amon Creek, 425 Broadmoor Street
• Saturday, April 26, Noon to 2:00 p.m., Columbia Point Marina Park, 660 Columbia Point Drive

Remaining tour dates and locations can be found online at  www.Richlandparksandrec.com/2025ParkTours. They are also posted on the Richland Parks and Recreation website event calendar and Facebook page. Questions can be directed to 509-942-7579.

Dallas Road Intersection Improvements Begin On Monday (Photo) -04/11/25

RICHLAND, WA – The developer of the Badger Mountain South community will continue a major infrastructure project starting this week on Dallas Road. The road improvement project will increase traffic capacity and enhance safety at two key intersections, Trowbridge Boulevard and Ava Way.

Construction will begin on the shoulders and intersections of Trowbridge Boulevard and Dallas Road on Monday, April 14, 2025.  Traffic speeds will be reduced to 25 mph as construction gets underway. The project improvements include road widening, new roundabouts at both Trowbridge and Ava Way, sidewalks, ADA-compliant crossings, and the installation or extension of utilities and fiber infrastructure.

Drivers should anticipate delays and are encouraged to plan alternate routes when possible. The reduced speed limit will be strictly enforced throughout the construction zone to ensure the safety of both crews and motorists.

This effort is part of several planned, developer-driven transportation upgrades designed to support the continued growth of the Badger Mountain South area. Project completion is anticipated in Spring 2026.

For more details or to view the full Scope of Work, visit www.ci.richland.wa.us/DallasRoad or call 509-942-7500.

WSDOT Project On SR240 / Horn Rapids Continues Through August (Photo) -04/09/25

The Washington State Department of Transportation and contractors have started work on an $8 million project to build new lanes for drivers to safely merge on and off SR 240 in Northwest Richland. The project begins near the Bypass Highway in Richland and travels west on SR 240 until the turnoff to SR 225 towards Benton City.  
 
“The project will help reduce congestion and improve operations and safety in the area”, said Alejandro Sanguino, WSDOT project engineer.
 
In March, construction began on the noise wall along the south portion of SR 240 along the Moon River RV Resort. This month, paving and repairs start along Kingsgate, Battelle Boulevard and Stevens Drive. Travelers should expect travel restrictions during the weekdays.
 
Starting in June, work on the Hagen Road and SR 240 intersection will begin. This will include reconstruction and widening of SR 240 and signal modifications. Travelers can expect nightly closures between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. Sunday evening through Saturday morning. A signed detour will direct travelers to use Kingsgate Way, Battelle Boulevard and Stevens Drive to SR 240. The project is expected to finish in August.
 
Drivers are encouraged to plan their trips using WSDOT’s real-time travel map to help avoid delays at wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map. Project updates and project contact information is available at wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/sr-240-richland-corridor-improvements.

Leslie Groves Park Parking Lots At Snyder Street And Saint Street To Close For Crack Sealing -04/01/25

The Leslie Groves Park Parking Lot located at Snyder Street will be closed for scheduled pavement treatments during the week of April 7 – 11, 2025. The parking lot closure is necessary for crack sealing maintenance, which is essential to preserve the integrity of the parking lot surface.

The closure at Snyder Street is anticipated to last for two (2) days, though it is weather dependent. We will post a more definitive time frame next week. Should conditions allow, work will proceed as planned, but delays may occur due to inclement weather. During this time, we kindly ask all visitors to adhere to posted closure signage and barricades to ensure safety.

Additionally, the Leslie Groves Park Parking Lot at Saint Street will also be closed during the week of April 7 – 11, 2025, for the same crack sealing maintenance. The closure at Saint Street is anticipated to last for one (1) day, also weather dependent. Visitors are advised to utilize alternative nearby park parking lots during this period and follow any posted signage.

Alternative parking will be available in nearby lots and boat launches. For a list of alternative parking locations and boat launches in the area, please scan the QR code provided in the image above.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we perform these necessary repairs to improve the overall safety and quality of our park facilities.

Yakima Delta Fire Update – A Message From Richland Fire & Emergency Services -03/28/25

As previously reported, the Yakima Delta Fire along SR240 which initially started on March 23, 2025, is now 100% contained. The fire is completely secured with a control line along the perimeter as well as the river along one side. Please be aware that it may continue to smolder and emit smoke for the next several weeks due to the unique characteristics of the environment.

We are kindly asking all citizens to refrain from calling 911 when seeing smoke in this area, as these calls are using valuable technology and personnel resources that are needed for other emergencies in our region.

Rest assured; our crews will be actively monitoring the situation throughout the next several days and weeks to ensure safety and ongoing containment. Thank you to the community for your understanding and continued support as we manage this situation.

Bike Path/Trail Along SR240 In Richland Reopens After Yakima Delta Fire Containment -03/27/25

We are pleased to announce that the bike path/trail along the SR 240 bridge over the Yakima River Delta is now officially reopened following successful fire containment efforts. This morning, a preliminary risk assessment was conducted by City Parks and Public Facilities staff, and no additional hazard trees were identified along the path. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completed their inspection and confirmed that it is safe to reopen the trail.

Our team has just completed the removal of barricades, and the trail is now accessible to the public once again. We appreciate the patience of the community as we ensured the safety of the area before reopening.

As previously reported, while the fire remains contained, it may continue to smolder and flare for days or weeks, depending on the weather. Crews will continue monitoring the status of the fire.

We encourage everyone to enjoy the trail while being mindful of other users and to report any issues that may arise.

For further information, please visit richlandparksandrec.com or contact 509-942-7529.

Richland Fire And Emergency Services, US Army Corps Of Engineers Assess Fire Area; Controlled Burn Planned To Contain Spread (Photo) -03/26/25

3/26/25, 5:30 p.m.

This afternoon, crews completed the burnout operation along the hand-dug fire line that was constructed from the bike path to the river. This was under the guidance of both internal staff and U.S. Fish and Wildlife (USF&W) experts. The burnout was designed to create a buffer against potential flare-ups due to unpredictable weather, With the burn operation now complete, a crew will remain overnight as a precaution, monitoring the area for any potential wind and weather events now in the forecast. Tomorrow morning USF&W will evaluate and remove any hazard limbs/trees or potential falling debris before the bike path can be re-opened to the public. The bike path will remain closed until parks staff determine that it is safe to re-open.

The fire is now confirmed to be 100% contained, though it may continue to smolder and flare for days or weeks, depending on the weather.

Ongoing coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers will continue.

3/26/25, 1:30 p.m.

This morning, Richland Fire and Emergency Services personnel, in coordination with the US Army Corps of Engineers, conducted an assessment of the ongoing Yakima Delta fire. The fire continues to burn and smolder and is expected to do so for several weeks. In response to the fire's progression, crews worked diligently to establish a containment line at the north end of the impacted area.

The containment line runs east to west between the bike path and the river, covering a length of approximately 100 yards and a width of 3 feet. Given the location and current fire behavior, crews will implement a controlled burn strategy. This method involves starting a fire in this designated area, working up to the containment line, in order to prevent the fire from spreading north and east.

Multiple teams are involved in managing this operation, including Richland Fire and Emergency Services, crews from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and wildland fire crews. These teams will closely monitor the controlled burn to ensure it remains under control.

As a result of this strategy, the bike path will remain closed until further notice. Residents and commuters in the area may observe increased fire activity and flames. We ask that the public refrain from calling 911 to report the fire, as emergency crews are on-site actively managing the situation.

The weather forecast for the coming days predicts precipitation and cooler temperatures, which could assist in containment efforts.

At this time, the fire remains on the east side of SR240 and has not crossed to the west, nor has it impacted Bateman Island. There is no immediate threat to the public. We will provide another update at the end of the day unless there are unanticipated developments.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.