Richland plans to plant NASA's Artemis moon tree in local park

Richland's Parks and Recreation Commission is set to enhance community engagement and support local sports through two significant initiatives discussed in their recent meeting on July 9, 2025.

First, the commission is launching a community outreach program aimed at increasing participation in local baseball and softball activities. The focus will be on expanding the Andy Lutz tournament, which not only generates revenue for the community by attracting visitors but also helps keep participation costs low for local families. Currently, the average cost for children to play Little League baseball is around $200, while softball costs between $100 and $110. The commission emphasized the importance of these tournaments in maintaining affordable access to youth sports, especially as tournament baseball can incur costs exceeding $1,200 per child.

In addition to supporting baseball, the commission is eager to expand softball opportunities in Richland, responding to community demand and working closely with the city to explore potential field expansions.

The second major topic of discussion was the introduction of the Artemis tree project, presented by Pauline Schafer from the Reach Museum. This initiative involves planting a sycamore tree grown from seeds that orbited the moon during NASA's Artemis 1 mission. The tree symbolizes Richland's legacy in science and innovation, particularly honoring local astronaut Kayla Barron. Although the original plan was to plant the tree at Richland High School, the project is now seeking a suitable location within one of Richland's parks, such as Howard Amon Park or John Dam Plaza.

The project aims to engage the community through educational programs and citizen science initiatives, allowing residents to monitor the tree's growth and participate in data collection. The tree is currently being nurtured in a nursery and is expected to be ready for planting by next spring, with plans for educational signage to accompany it.

These initiatives reflect Richland's commitment to fostering community involvement and enhancing recreational opportunities, ensuring that residents can enjoy and participate in local sports and educational projects. The commission is looking forward to implementing these plans and engaging with the community in the coming months.