Kennewick's big plans for parks

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Parks aren't just playgrounds anymore. In Kennewick, they've become a solid way to make extra cash while giving neighbors a place to hang out.


Teresa Tow brings her kids to Hansen Park at least twice a week. She said, "These guys like the jet slide. They call it the jet slide because it's super fast."

She can't wait for Kennewick to transform 25 acres into a sports complex.

She continues, "I think that would be a great idea. You know, more opportunities for the kids. Different things that they could do."

The plans include a softball field, soccer field and 2 basketball courts, one for kids and the other for adults. Tennis courts would also go in along with more parking, picnic areas and restrooms. The entire field behind the playground would be transformed.

If all the extra park space is converted to a small sports complex along the lines of Southridge it could be another point of revenue for the city.

Southridge brought in more than $2 million dollars from tournaments in just this past April alone.
To date, dollars brought in by sporting events and visitors is almost twice as much.

Adding another park with these amenities could mean more money, more jobs and bigger events for the city of Kennewick.

Teresa's daughter Yzabelle, can't wait to watch sporting events closer to home instead of getting rides to the south end of town.

She said, "High schoolers can go and watch and we can hang out with friends."

Neighbors at the park aren't worried about increased traffic or a huge amount of visitors flocking to the area.

Teresa welcomes the visitors. "Oh, yes, we compete with the rest of them and bring y'all in here, too," she said.

It's another big project that could bring more tourist spending to Kennewick, that will benefit those who live here.

 City officials welcome public comments on this and all the other projects outlined in the new plan.

You can find read the entire city document here:  www.go2kennewick.com/go2kennewick/DocumentHandler.ashx