[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6519805,"mediaKeyId","5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee","parentId",5345931,"title","Richland National Little League launches inaugural softball season and warns fields are at capacity","audioSeconds",952,"startMs",510000,"endMs",1462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee&start=510&end=1462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee/thumbnail_510000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519805/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Richland-National-Little-League-launches-inaugural-softball-season-and-warns-fields-are-at-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519805-331bc897473ac5ce6e240970ced16a33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152215&Signature=E-~yn-1hbCzKmdo-3rZ11WyCViGalbGOLnTWntz7bmvRU0wAMNDWab7lrvISP3awcedS81~mhFndUuUx-413teS6HykHRUegb7SzkV2XisFsYzjgQ9-4Hlotl0ovSWEKD5PVkH00TJTslbKLBVaYjVv0mB-FA~A8XsdiIdVkDqzu5KKNZMH8WMBTDqLly~fKNw~2B5ueFH5s0wjRfOQYLrRH5PxvPHfZE-E-~NgAOODPiHeSAINiYwgcMwTaz0~-sbGsjHYG5F38TggbwyZePsO7wuDZDAyUpUU9IMVq0qVPlP5kbsQYQSVc0YHUdTIwUSjeQbffPbOvsQ0mYu-~eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland","date","2025-07-09T00:00:00Z","article","Eric Christensen, vice president of softball for Richland National Little League, told the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 9 that the league’s recreational baseball program remains large and that 2025 marked an inaugural Little League softball season for the organization.

Christensen said baseball enrollment this year was about 375 players across roughly 30 teams (down from about 400 last year) and that softball fielded 96 players on eight teams. “Our boys are playing, or boys and girls are playing baseball at Clay Bell Park and Badger Mountain Community Park,” he said, and added that softball home games were primarily at Horn Rapids Athletic Complex this season.

Why it matters: league leaders said demand outstrips available field time in Richland, limiting their ability to serve more local players and forcing travel to neighboring cities. Don Robbins, president of Richland National Little League, described the league as 100% volunteer and said the organization is using tournaments such as the Andy Lutz Memorial tournament to raise funds and keep player fees low.

League leaders highlighted several concrete impacts and accomplishments from 2025: the Andy Lutz tournament drew 32 teams this year with 69 games across Badger, Clay Bell and Bombing Range fields over two days; organizers estimated 384 participating little leaguers and roughly 1,500 family members in attendance across the event. Christensen said the league regularly advances teams to district and state tournaments and pointed to past Little League World Series representation.

The presenters identified capacity and site constraints at city fields as the principal barrier to growth. Badger Mountain Community Park contains three baseball fields, Clay Bell Park has two; Horn Rapids offered limited softball availability because of competing tournaments and adult leagues. Christensen said the league is eager to expand softball in 2026 “as much as our fields will allow” and offered to work with city staff on any feasible expansion or site changes.

Officials also outlined program costs and community benefits. Christensen said typical Little League registration runs about $200 per child for baseball and about $100–$110 for softball; by contrast, tournament play can cost substantially more (he cited roughly $1,200 per player before travel for tournament circuits). Robbins described the Andy Lutz tournament as a regional draw that provides local economic activity and helps subsidize lower registration fees for local families.

Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked follow-up questions about scheduling and field availability; staff indicated they will continue community outreach and coordination with the league.

Next steps: League leaders said they will continue outreach with city staff to pursue field time and expansion; they plan to grow the Andy Lutz tournament and to seek more local softball participation in 2026.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richland - Parks and Rec. Commission - Jul 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Eric Christensen, vice president of softball with Richland National Little League, told the Parks and Recreation Commission July 9 that the league’s recreational baseball program remains large (about 375 players) and that 2025 marked the league’s first Little League softball season (96 players); presenters said limited field capacity in Richland is constraining growth.","taxTitle","Richland , Benton County, Washington","taxId",5097,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519785,"Commission approves meeting agenda and prior meeting minutes",110,63000,173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee&start=63&end=173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6519785/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Commission-approves-meeting-agenda-and-prior-meeting-minutes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519785-946bc47b9aafd74f3907303b86b52827/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152215&Signature=f1QlgK9SYlHZ-oLIj54sdMKVmPJIpK2RO7w4CpNv~pgWwElNYvyeQ1YcoVpFUynCTeQpdSJ2kIshuJUGXEXPbhyr9E7ZLFlg0o2cbkI8jLvNya03EiQXFA1XogrXWgY-hadBYm-UFBq0x1ugGU7I2a7FD7oigpV3KT4XdtZu0GbIYiI2tSJXuSo~-f2RZaoBoSEWSFVtVOerFOII4gd-b-OdMohdH7iaikOuPelVfgILyC-Qp94UBeNfqiQimh60eCHUrLo9HiOE14la59QIF~JDvhg69fQp96WgMvSNjqZvP2V9RbqBosB93wWVcbHSveeuGE3SlCxktmgVbaCcQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the start of the July 9 special meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the meeting agenda and then approved minutes from the June 12 meeting and the June 26 workshop by voice votes.

Action 1 — Agenda: A motion to approve the July 9 special meeting agenda was moved (mover recorded as Commissioner Watros) and seconded (recorded as Commissioner Christ); the motion passed on a voice vote.

Action 2 — Minutes: A motion to approve the minutes from the June 12 meeting and the June 26 workshop was moved by Commissioner Jones and seconded by Commissioner Hodges; the motion passed on a voice vote.

Both actions were routine procedural approvals and did not prompt extended discussion.","At the July 9 special meeting the Parks and Recreation Commission approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from June 12 and the June 26 workshop by voice votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519790,"Parks commission recommends shortening standard park hours to 10 p.m. to address after-hours vandalism and nuisance activity",798,3014000,3812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee&start=3014&end=3812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee/thumbnail_3014000.jpg","/articles/6519790/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Parks-commission-recommends-shortening-standard-park-hours-to-10-pm-to-address-after-hours-vandalism-and-nuisance-activity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519790-e4a7e6808c88a2ea2fbef93ee8f943ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152215&Signature=kEPR0olA25fOLiUq63Gwns41hmo2y525APwbt9LbL6ef2dv0-uuCB4YzDBCY5m58AEkFTNkz3oB99O2j012t~A2bX4O7vkFvo5zHdrx33bIwF6WBJ17zsOTa7z0jylukBmTW66NDa~PYnq~B0~O8W7f3wcxohSj83DwTrUAULm3pHSuI9juSz0XEar2PCPV-Kfa1VxXPKdAsHR9SGCSZk0csmc0FrX6Wzn25ZJl~Fe4K0P9LmPTdvWJyFOsO6m2CYO9ieUbOV7rw3EiP2nfAhNnDRg7xyaxM7iTaOckHtGA4rvVgqF56uBr~2plT3qqL56fJqz8Vwg~87MRfqgLhWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Public Facilities Director Chris Waite told the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 9 that staff recommends revising the Richland Municipal Code park-hours language to close city parks at 10 p.m. (currently 11 p.m.), citing recurring after-hours vandalism and nuisance activity at some parks and parking areas.

Waite said the code already allows for exceptions by permit for special events, for fishing and for boat launching; it also includes an explicit exception for trail users and commuters. He described the 10 p.m. closing time as a compromise that preserves evening use while providing law enforcement an additional enforcement window to address late-night problems.

At the workshop earlier in the month, commissioners discussed a range of options including moving hours to 9 p.m.; during July 9 debate several commissioners supported 10 p.m. as a middle ground, while keeping permit and trail exceptions intact.

Commissioner Christ asked whether changing posted hours will deter people who already congregate after hours for activities such as street racing; Waite said the change is one tool among others (staff also discussed possible security cameras and other enforcement tools) and acknowledged that signs alone will not stop all undesirable behavior.

Action: Commissioner Huatro moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend City Council change standard park hours from 5 a.m.–11 p.m. to 5 a.m.–10 p.m.; Commissioner Jones seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote (ayes). Waite said staff will follow up with the City Attorney to prepare ordinance language, bring the ordinance for two readings at City Council, and prepare signage; earliest council action is likely in August with implementation more likely in September or the fall due to signage and ordinance steps.

Why it matters: Staff said the one-hour change gives law enforcement an additional opportunity to engage with people in parks during a window when vandalism and nuisance behavior most often occur, while preserving permitted uses and trail commuter access.

Next steps: Staff will prepare ordinance language with the City Attorney, schedule council readings and plan sign replacement; staff will provide commissioners with cost estimates for new signage upon request.","Parks Director Chris Waite proposed reducing standard park hours from 5 a.m.–11 p.m. to 5 a.m.–10 p.m.; commissioners voted to recommend the ordinance change to City Council while preserving exceptions for permitted events, fishing, boat launches and trail commuting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519795,"Parks commission recommends surplus and land exchange for South Orchard Park parcel in Badger Mountain South",756,2199000,2955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee&start=2199&end=2955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee/thumbnail_2199000.jpg","/articles/6519795/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Parks-commission-recommends-surplus-and-land-exchange-for-South-Orchard-Park-parcel-in-Badger-Mountain-South","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519795-1dd96aae93b6c27969a6a64f09227f14/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152215&Signature=YBUEVSXn0-kDRLUdknNWY553VBDZ5sW4xEbAgDSJ3XOZ4wQ5n-H3ZfLF9DVMbobVjEWSFwVA5~PkIpuyaTgh9x6S5ZHZinsVhspqndgVQqhgcu1N-bmTrsmXvSj7A3ALTK8WyPertPuIEaKhWrDmO6qc4lkmotQQ6738MNL6q01t1JolbclzhGdsIoq4BTjccncgkq~uGQbn4FiFKzmyiOgNzVnJDbU8yOE~hCnW54wauHY1qYMu~BjfrjKapPVR~51brkZ7L6yBT~PDDUHp3AdkQjvbKt7Dr2Vig8ksoDgJTWcnSsA2-tKs2ew5y1HjzAl9HIoCuCE5lc8WC20Caw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and Public Facilities Director Chris Waite asked the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 9 to recommend that the city declare a parcel identified as the South Orchard Park site surplus and approve a negotiated land exchange for a replacement parcel in the Badger Mountain South area.

Waite said the current parcel was originally planned to adjoin a school site, which would have provided shared parking and other synergies, but the school district no longer plans to build there. Because the park parcel sits on a hillside with limited parking and development challenges, and because an HOA park will be developed very close by, Waite recommended surplusing the city parcel and accepting an exchange for a parcel that is equal or greater in size and better located to meet the city’s neighborhood-park service goals.

Waite framed the exchange as consistent with the Richland Municipal Code (RMC) surplus/disposition process and the city’s parks, recreation and open space master plan goals, including providing parks within a 10-minute walk of residents. He said the city would follow the RMC process that requires Parks Commission review, then companion reviews by the Economic Development Commission and Planning Commission, and finally a City Council resolution to surplus the land.

Commissioner discussion focused on topography, parking and service gaps. Waite said the proposed replacement parcel is flatter, provides space for parking that supports park functions, and sits at the intersection of a trailhead and neighborhood access, which could serve both neighborhood and trailhead users.

Action: Commissioner Jones moved a recommendation that the City Council declare the South Orchard Park parcel surplus and approve a land exchange with NorAm Investments for a replacement parcel equal or greater in size in the Badger Mountain subarea; Commissioner Christ seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote (ayes). Note: in staff presentation Waite referred to the potential exchange partner as Grama Investment LLC; the motion and subsequent minutes record the name NorAm Investments. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for final action.

Why it matters: Waite and commissioners said the exchange would improve park coverage in the neighborhood by moving the city-owned park to a site with fewer physical constraints and less duplication with nearby HOA green space.

Next steps: The Parks Commission recommendation will be forwarded to City Council; staff will continue internal review and prepare materials for the council consideration, including companion reviews by other commissions as required by RMC.","Parks and Public Facilities Director Chris Waite presented a proposal July 9 to declare a South Orchard Park parcel surplus and exchange it for a larger, better-located replacement parcel in the Badger Mountain subarea; commissioners voted to recommend the exchange to city council.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519800,"Reach Museum seeks city park site for ‘Artemis’ sycamore grown from seed that orbited Artemis I",515,1508000,2023000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee&start=1508&end=2023","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345931-d08bb537d7ecca96891f0a5f727218ee/thumbnail_1508000.jpg","/articles/6519800/Richland/Benton-County/Washington/Reach-Museum-seeks-city-park-site-for-Artemis-sycamore-grown-from-seed-that-orbited-Artemis-I","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519800-7906061905a2fdbaefa8586f074c0a40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152215&Signature=cL6vgrPGLXQdx4Mz9pu-ckLeDN-k~rloaGqFHQF8T6BiZfHfrqppFjHSEIPoZ9w8BT8mcoBI0sqw0nhgSoFhZ9Wog7ik9NrxyZ5Nf6jsg4PDnpp9IXlvCQQUu43NbizZ0vmNf0aZrRHzfK6snS~eYKtW9bypXlRFw4s04iHkiweYquH9rLS9CyzwvkXFuWuvG7DXpwjxNJD49tqLPXE7kOp5n5f5kCmvaDHo7R1xu0opsv8oTxdaLfZQHRstq~RBb~DHw0gF5oNPKp1ulsSQGVgB580SDxi-tZ3GAZ9VpVuPkS6i2bmAbW5cOC1hfbTdDNRuumXNdEsATH202mfp3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pauline Shaffer, education manager at the Reach Museum, presented a proposal to the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 9 to plant an “Artemis tree” — a sycamore sapling grown from a seed that orbited the moon on NASA’s Artemis I mission.

Shaffer said the sapling is currently about seven feet tall and is being cared for at a nursery in Pasco while partners identify an appropriate planting site. The Reach Museum and partners (Silas Education and WSU Tri-Cities College of Education) initially approached Richland School District to host the tree at Richland High School to link the planting with local astronaut Kayla Barron’s connections. Because the district’s budget constraints limited their participation, Shaffer said the museum is working with Richland Parks instead and suggested possible locations including Howard Amon Park, Leslie Groves Park, John Dam Plaza and Jefferson Park.

Why it matters: Shaffer said the project is primarily educational and seeks to connect Richland’s science and engineering heritage to a community science program. The museum plans interpretive signage and a citizen science monitoring program (for example using NASA’s GLOBE Observer app) so students and community members can follow growth and changes over time.

Timing and logistics: Shaffer said the museum aims to select a site in the fall and could plant the sapling as early as next spring, though staff would consider waiting until fall planting if that improves tree establishment. The Reach Museum will lead outreach and programming with Silas Education; other local education groups would be consulted. Shaffer said she has discussed the idea with Parks Director Chris Waite and will pursue a Parks Partnership or similar grant process if the commission supports moving ahead.

Commission questions focused on site selection, vandalism risk and the tree’s biology. Shaffer said no unusual properties have been observed so far but that the project’s monitoring program is intended in part to document any distinctive growth or traits over time.

Next steps: Shaffer asked the commission to consider the idea and provide initial feedback; the Reach Museum plans to apply for a parks partnership grant and to work with staff on signage and site selection if the commission supports the concept.

","Pauline Shaffer of the Reach Museum asked the Parks & Recreation Commission to consider hosting an ‘Artemis tree’ sapling (a sycamore grown from a seed that orbited Artemis I). The Museum and partners plan educational programming, citizen science monitoring and interpretive signage; the sapling currently is at a nursery in Pasco.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richland National Little League launches inaugural softball season and warns fields are at capacity

Commission approves meeting agenda and prior meeting minutes

Parks commission recommends shortening standard park hours to 10 p.m. to address after-hours vandalism and nuisance activity

Parks commission recommends surplus and land exchange for South Orchard Park parcel in Badger Mountain South

Reach Museum seeks city park site for ‘Artemis’ sycamore grown from seed that orbited Artemis I