Green Space in a City of Secrets
Howard Amon Park
In a city built for secrecy and science, Howard Amon Park offered something rare: open space, recreation, and a sense of normal life. Developed during World War II, the park was designed to serve the growing Richland community and boost worker morale.
A Riverfront Refuge in a Wartime City
Planned and constructed during World War II, Howard Amon Park was part of the U.S. government’s effort to create a livable, morale-boosting environment for Richland’s rapidly expanding population. Nestled along the Columbia River, the park offered a rare place of leisure in a city built for urgency and secrecy.
Initially developed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the park featured tree-lined paths, open green spaces, and access to the water — a deliberate contrast to the stark utilitarianism of government-issued housing and workplaces. It quickly became a gathering space for families, children, and workers looking for a brief escape from the pressures of wartime life.
Today, the park remains a central feature of Richland’s riverfront and a living reminder that even in a city engineered for war, space was made for community and connection.
