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Howard Amon Park facts for kids

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Howard Amon Park
Howard Amon Park, 2011 Richland Washington - panoramio (1).jpg
The entrance to Howard Amon Park.
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Location Richland, Washington, United States
Area 45.9 acres (18.6 ha)
Owned by City of Richland
Status Open all year

Howard Amon Park is a fun outdoor area located right on the Columbia River in Richland, Washington. It's a great spot for many activities. The park is named after Howard Amon, who was one of the first people to settle in Richland.

You can find the park at the end of Lee Boulevard, right in the middle of Richland. It's easy to get to from different roads near George Washington Way.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

Howard Amon Park has lots of cool features for everyone to enjoy. You can get to the river, play at the playground, or even watch concerts!

Riverfront Trail: Your Path to Adventure

A paved path called the Riverfront Trail goes all the way through the park. This trail is perfect for biking or walking. It connects to other trails, like the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. This means you can bike from Howard Amon Park all the way to Kennewick and Pasco! The trail is very popular, especially when the weather is nice.

Playground Fun for All Ages

Howard Amon Park, 2011 Richland Washington - panoramio (2)
Most of the playground equipment at Howard Amon Park

The park's playground has been a favorite for families for a long time. It even has a special elephant slide that's a famous part of Richland's history! The slide was taken away for a while, but after many people talked about it, it was brought back in 2010. Other fun things at the playground include a short zip line and a rock climbing area.

Sports and Water Activities

If you like sports, the park has four tennis courts and a half basketball court. It's also a great place for water activities. There's a small wading pool for kids to splash in. Since the park is right on the Columbia River, it's easy to get into the water. There are three docks where you can go swimming or launch a boat.

Exciting Events at the Park

Howard Amon Park isn't just for daily fun; it also hosts many events throughout the year.

The Fingernail Bandshell

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The back of the Fingernail (right)

One of the main event spots is a stage called the Fingernail. It got its name because it looks a bit like a fingernail! This stage was built in 1982. It's a huge structure, weighing 60 tons, and was inspired by boats on Lake Washington near Seattle.

Art in the Park Festival

The Allied Arts Association, which has an art gallery next to the park, puts on the "Art in the Park" festival. This festival happens at the same time as the Columbia Cup hydroplane races in Columbia Park. The festival started in 1950 and shows off art and music from artists all over the United States. In 2016, over 220 artists were part of the festival!

Tumbleweed Music Festival

Every Labor Day weekend, the Tumbleweed Music Festival takes place at Howard Amon Park. This festival started in 1997 and is mostly free! It features many types of music, like bluegrass, Celtic, and folk music, played on five different stages.

Other Events

The park has also hosted Renaissance fairs, which are events where people dress up in old-fashioned clothes and celebrate history. These fairs have brought in thousands of visitors!

Sometimes, a large paddlewheel cruise ship called the American Empress stops at the park's dock. It docks there while traveling between Vancouver and Clarkston.

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