Howard Amon Park — Attraction in Richland

Update 6/2022: dropped 2 stars because not much has changed, certainly not for the better or for the betterment and full inclusion of all Richland citizens. Howard Amon Park has become more a park for the wealthy tourists on the paddle boat excursions who dock for days, tying up the main dock, blocking off the end of the street to local vehicles so they can park their tour buses, as well as blocking the view of the river from the small seating theater by the dock. All so these rich snobs can take tours of the local wanna-be wineries around here (rather a waste of beautiful, natural resources catering to this tiny niche crowd who have no investment in this community and care nothing about it; but that's Richland today! It has become a city run by profit mongers who value nothing if it can't provide a quick buck.)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Beware, ladies-- in the restrooms there are vents in each stall that allow clear visibility through to the maintenance room where the men obtain their supplies and tools for maintaining the restrooms and park facilities.

PREVIOUS Review: Beautiful, well cared for park. Very large, with several docks, playground area, wading pool, gazebos, snack shack, tennis courts, and borders the Richland Community Recreation Center. (Which is not adequately utilized for "community" activities, but seems to cater more to special interests and for renting out the facilities to private parties. They could learn much by visiting the community recreation centers throughout Utah that cater to the ENTIRE community and provide a large variety of activities for all ages) It is usually crowded, and especially if there is any kind of event, parking is impossible to find. There are only a few handicapped spaces close enough to the walking/biking path to make access convenient, and they are always full. I have spent many hours sitting, walking, or biking along the main path and have found, sadly, that less than half of the people I encounter along the way will ever smile back when I attempt to acknowledge their presence with a smile and greeting. Just basic good manners-- yet, more than half of the time, the response I receive is a look right through me, avoiding my eyes, as if I were invisible! Definitely not what could be considered a true "community" park, where you can go and most likely run into neighbors, coworkers, or friends and feel welcome and comfortable. Contrast this with a visit to southern Utah, where you will discover that at least 90% of the people you encounter will smile easily in return; and, if you aren't in a hurry, will even strike up a conversation with you, stranger or not! There is a very distinct difference in the community environment here that does not feel the least welcoming or warm and friendly. I see a great deal of cliquish, superficial behaviour and truly hope that changes; because this park and several others are certainly beautifully created to take full advantage of our natural resources and encourage a diverse selection of...

Well, it is a nice setting for a park and it's something of the signature park for Richland, but if you're looking to enjoy a park for the park itself, there will be no shortage of people to ruin that for you, especially on the weekends. Visitors frequently abandon their trash on the picnic tables (despite readily available trash cans) which then gets blown on the ground by the frequent winds in the Tri-Cities. Amon Park Drive is often infested later in the day with dudes and their muscle cars burning a little rubber and revving their engines as they cruise up and down the drive. On the water, it can get just as bad.. There is are the jet skis making a lot of noise, though that isn't too bad if they dont hang too close to shore. But likely, there will be some dude with his new boat he wants you to looks at, so he cranks his sound system up to concert level and/or loudly revs his boat engine so you know how big it is (and wonder what he's compensating for).

But, if you manage to show up when that segment of society is elsewhere, you can really enjoy the view of the Columbia River and the wonderful sunsets you can see from the shore. When that happens, it's a 4+...

Howard Amon Park is a very large and versatile park with so much to offer, especially for families with children. The playground area is expansive—kids could spend hours here exploring and playing, which is always a good sign (and might even mean an early bedtime afterward!). There’s even a small rock climbing wall where little ones can start learning to climb in a safe environment. At the moment, the water pool is under construction and won’t reopen until summer 2026, but there’s still plenty to enjoy. The park also has a nice little beach area along the Columbia River, perfect for fishing if that’s your thing, though I personally wouldn’t recommend swimming there. The grounds are beautiful, with wide grassy spaces, lots of trees (great for hanging up a hammock), and plenty of shaded spots to relax. There are also picnic areas available to rent for gatherings and special occasions. Overall, this is one of the most robust and well-rounded parks I’ve ever visited—perfect for families, events, or just enjoying...