Chiawana Park

Each of the Tri-Cities has a big park along the river, and Pasco's is Chiawana Park. There are at least two playgrounds. The one at the eastern end has older equipment, mulch, and no toddler swings. We played at the playground at the western end of the park today, which is more modern. This isn't a good park for a kid who runs off--it's very close to the river, and my husband, who grew up here, tells me there are sometimes snakes lurking in taller grass by the water's edge. This morning was my first time at Chiawana and we will definitely be back. It's a great place for a picnic: there are two picnic shelters right by the playground and another not far away, plus a few other tables scattered around. The breeze coming off the river was nice on a warm summer morning. This is a fantastic playground for daredevil types: lots to climb, a tall play structure with a couple of quite tall slides, and a slightly dangerously exciting merry go round swing. I would have loved this park as a kid.

Playground: mainly one large play structure, with both small and tall slides, a bridge, several different kinds of climbing equipment, and neat "stained glass" fan shapes overhead, one of which can be made to spin.
Swings: one tandem swing which is a combination of hard plastic baby swing and a regular swing, facing each other. It can be used by a parent or older child and toddler/baby swinging together, or with just one person occupying the swing. There is also a "merry go round" type swing, with three seats. The seats are disks hanging from a thick rope, and swing around in a circle.
Musical toys: yes. The drums are similar to the ones in a number of parks around here, and like others, mounted too high for my toddler to reach without being picked up. There are also bells and some other noisemaking toys, and these were easier to reach. Two push-button noise making toys appear to be broken.
Playground surface: rubberized
Climbing wall: not a regular rock climbing type wall, but lots of other fun things to climb.
Shade: lots of mature trees. At 10am much of the playground was shaded, though not the tandem swing.
Adult seating: yes
Bathroom: yes, some bathrooms in a cinderblock structure and also an ADA port-a-potty
Fence: no
Parking: lot with a few ADA spaces. Playground is not far from the lot, down a gentle slope.

Photo description: the playground viewed from the parking lot.

Photo description: the playground structure features a toddler-sized double slide.

Photo description: a merry-go-round swing with three seats.

Photo description: M and I demonstrate the tandem swing. 

Photo description: another view of the playground structure, showing climbing equipment. 

Photo description: ducks swimming on the river viewed from a park bench.