This morning at 10 AM, I was standing at Columbia Park in Kennewick watching local and state officials cut the ribbon to an anticipated recreational infrastructure project in the Tri-Cities.
The new boat launch docks at Columbia Park are officially open, the project came in under budget, and it finished on time, or even a little early.
In the world of government construction projects that don’t, that combination alone deserves applause.
Multiple State and Local Officials at New Columbia Park Docks Ribbon Cutting
The crowd included the Kennewick Police Chief, fire department representatives, news crews, and a strong showing from elected officials at both the local and state levels. Washington State House Representatives Stephanie Barnard and April Connors, both representing the 8th Legislative District, were in attendance. Representative Connors spoke at the podium and talked about what made this project stand out.
She was proud of the fact that the project came in under budget and finished ahead of schedule. The project has been in development since around 2021, so getting to the finish line early and under cost is a genuine accomplishment.
Kennewick Mayor Jason McShane also spoke, focusing on the coordination between the city and the state that made the funding and planning come together. Former State Representative Brad Klippert, a well-known figure in the 8th District, was also in the audience for the ceremony.
Why These Docks Are Different From the Old Ones
The old wooden docks at Columbia Park had reached the end of their useful lifespan, and replacing them was overdue. But the new metal-grated design is not just a cosmetic upgrade; it solves a real environmental problem that most boaters probably never thought about.
Solid wooden docks block sunlight from reaching the water below, which kills off the native underwater vegetation that juvenile fish depend on for cover. Without that vegetation, small fish flee into deeper and more dangerous water. The shade also creates dark ambush zones where larger predatory fish, such as northern pikeminnow, can hide and pick off salmon juveniles and smaller fish with ease.
The new metal-grated design allows natural light to reach the river bottom, restoring underwater vegetation, reducing predator ambush zones, and keeping juvenile fish safely in shallow nearshore waters where they belong.
It is a dock that is better for boaters and better for the fishery at the same time.
A Long Time Coming for Columbia Park
Columbia Park’s boat launch is one of the most utilized recreational access points on the entire Columbia River in the Tri-Cities, serving recreational boaters, anglers, water sports enthusiasts, and families all summer long.
The project was funded by a legislative grant secured last year.
If you have been waiting to get your boat on the Columbia River this summer, the new docks are open, and they are ready for you.
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Gallery Credit: Aj Brewster