More recently we've offered "Hikes for Tykes" directly to daycare and pre-school providers, and through Richland Parks and Recreation.
K-12 outreach includes in-class formal presentations, as well as field exploration regarding water quality, macroinvertebrate and salmon studies, and riparian and shrub steppe ecosystems. For the 2001/02 school year, we were proud to receive a $4995 Grant from the US EPA Region 10 to conduct "Watershed Education." See information about our grant at the EPA Environmental Education Grant Program site.
In the last 12 years, the Tapteal Greenway has reached more than 8000 students ages 2-21 with interactive, hands-on exploration of the Yakima River and its environment. We also offer a slideshow about the Greenway for interested clubs and service organizations.
The TGA has also been a sponsoring partner for the Salmon in the Classroom program put on by the Benton Conservation District. In 2005 TGA funded the entire transportaion cost to get the students to the Salmon Summit.
We are establishing a scholarship fund to pay for outdoor education field trips to Tapteal Greenway sites. In addition we have organized equipment for water quality testing and river keeper activities that can be checked out from the Tapteal Greenway. We have waders and life jackets as well as specific collection tools and plant/animal identification books for use on these field trips.
We have also established a large curriculum for the lower Yakima River that includes lesson plans and activities for environmental education both in the field and in the classroom.
Earthday 2007 had many rewards locally and across the nation. For the Tapteal Greenway Earthday marked the completion of a very frustrating experience, we finished the long awaited Duportail leg of the TGA trail that connects Chamna and W.E. Johnson Park. You are good to go now and we hope to have most of the vehicle traffic controlled by summer. Vehicle control should enhance the visit greatly as well as cut down on the ever present large item trash and habitat destruction. Get out there and enjoy!
We are working to tie in a river trail with our land trails. One more small craft launch between Benton City and Horn Rapids Park would improve the access points along the river. In addition we have teamed with WDFW on two other small craft launches bringing the total small craft launches to 6 on the lower reach of the Yakima River. A 7th launch is proposed near the highway 240 bridge.
The primary focus for recreation along the Tapteal Greenway is muscle powered activity. A portion of the trails have soft wood chipped surface that keeps the dust and weeds down. Some of the trails meet the National standard of 8 feet wide for horses and walking. Some of the single track trails are excellent for mountain bike riding. Small craft boat launches have been added upriver at Snively road, at the mid point near our Tapteal Bend property on Hyde road and soon, downstream at Duportial. As soon as the highway 240 project is finished another small craft launch is planned near the 240 bridge. Kayaking, canoeing, drift boats or fishing from float tubes are very popular on this lower stretch of the Yakima River. Fishing for bass is particularly good in the early spring. Salmon fishing has been a hit and miss proposition due to low water or low fish numbers. Equestrian events are held annually along the Tapteal Greenway and mountain bike racing in the Chamna Natural Preserve has been a big hit. When the snow comes in bunches cross country skiing or snowshoeing is a wonderful way to tromp along the Tapteal Greenway. Motor vehicle use is prohibited along portions of the Greenway thus promoting the opportunity for more to use and enjoy this trail system. We hope you have a chance to “get out there” and have a safe and clean experience in the great outdoors along the Greenway.