Benton City is getting its 1st splash pad. Shooting range changes too
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benton City was awarded a $500K grant to build its first public splash pad.
- The 55-by-110-foot splash pad targets large number of children in Benton City.
- Tri-Cities Shooting Association secured $76K for new covered shooting range upgrades.
Benton City residents will have a new way to cool down next summer, as the growing city gets its first splash pad.
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board awarded more than $500,000 in grant money for two projects in Benton City.
The state office gave out $148 million in grants this year for projects across Washington aimed at building and improving parks and trails, conserving wildlife habitat, and maintaining farm and forestry lands.
Benton City received the maximum $500,000 grant to build the Blacktop Estates Park splash pad directly south of 47807 Horne Rd.
The site is located in a residential area where future development is planned. It’s about two blocks from Kiona-Benton City High School.
The city’s first splash pad will feature a water loop, dumping bucket, mini mushroom structures that spray water, rain blasters, a water rain tunnel and ground sprayers.
With its sunny, arid climate, Benton City can have scorching temperatures during the summer.
But the city has no parks with water features and no dedicated recreational facilities for younger children. There are concerns about having enough places to keep cool because children are at greater risk of overheating.
Preschoolers are the largest age group — about 16% — in the area.
Benton City Public Works Director Nathan Radach told the Tri-City Herald that the city’s goal is to have the splash pad operating by next summer.
A 2023 city survey found that 72% of respondents were interested or very interested in swimming and water play activities. It’s also a top priority for the current city council.
“This project aims to enhance community well-being, promote physical activity and foster social connections, making Benton City a healthier, happier place for all residents,” according to the project description.
The park also will have a restroom, three picnic shelters and parking, in addition to the 55-by 110-foot splash pad.
The project will cost about $860,000 in total. The city will match about 40% of the project at $360,000.
Shooting range upgrades
The state also awarded a $76,000 grant to the Tri-Cities Shooting Association in Benton City. The grant will pay for about half of a project to build an overhead cover, shooting benches, bullet shields and flooring at the 105 meter smallbore shooting range at the group’s Rattlesnake Mountain facility. The 200-foot canopy will cover 20 shooting positions, according to the project application.
The Tri-Cities Shooting Association will match the grant at 50%, about $76,000. The total project budget is about $152,000.
They hope to have the upgrades completed by September 2026, according to the application.
