Clover Island

Renewing an Urban Waterfront Destination

Clover Island is a mixed-use commercial and recreational destination located in Kennewick’s Historic Waterfront District. Port of Kennewick and its city, county, state and federal partners have teamed to add public amenities, improve the shoreline and create physical and visual access from the island to the Columbia River. The island features an entry gateway, recreational pathway, lighthouse, free public boat launch, marina and restrooms, public plaza and a collection of public art.

View the shoreline restoration and Riverwalk trail enhancement photos and videos in the renewal progress tab below!

Clover Island is also home to the Clover Island Lighthouse. Constructed in May 2010, the lighthouse is a four-section, pre-cast concrete structure standing 62 feet tall. The fully functional lighthouse is a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Private Aid to Navigation (PATON). The lighthouse tower houses a white beacon that flashes every four seconds. The 15,000-square-foot Lighthouse Plaza that surrounds the lighthouse makes a great place for viewing sunsets, enjoying wildlife, holding portrait sessions, weddings and special events.

Today, Clover Island spans 16 acres. The island originally encompassed 162 acres. The scenic pond behind the adjacent levee was the former Columbia River waterfront before the McNary Dam and levee system was built, which covered most of the island, impounded the original shoreline and formed that nature pond.

Read the Master Plan in the Clover Island Plans tab below and visit the Historic Waterfront District planning webpage to see the community input received during the 2020/2021 planning process.

Clover Island 1942

Clover Island 1953

Information for Builders & Realtors

Land for commercial mixed-use activities, including residential opportunities, will become available on the island for private-sector development following the completion of shoreline restoration work. Parcels will overlook either the Columbia River or Marina harbor.

Once available, sites will be listed in the Lease & Sale Opportunities section of this website.

See Availability

For More Information

Amber Hanchette
Director of Real Estate & Operations
509-586-1186

Email Amber

Clover Island Plans

The following plans provide the details for the renewal of the island.

Clover Island Master Plan

January 2005

Clover Island Shoreline Improvements Plan

January 2008

Kennewick Historic Waterfront District Master Plan

June 2021

Clover Island Design Standards

December 2022

Renewal Progress

The transformation of the Clover Island shoreline is complete. Over the years, the Port and its partners added public amenities and art, landscaping, pathways, a scenic overlook and constructed several new buildings bringing new jobs and business to Clover Island. The Port also rebuilt and improved the public boat launch and added paved parking and restrooms.

2021 – 2023 Improvements Project

More recently, the Port partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Benton County, City of Kennewick and Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office to stabilize and restore Clover Island’s north and east shorelines and extend the Clover Island Riverwalk. This work to improve habitat for listed and endangered fish, beautify the Columbia Rivershore, expand recreational opportunities and support future economic development was finished in early 2023. The partners also added lighting, benches, landscaping, interpretive panels, three viewpoints, and other public amenities.

Aerial of Clover Island showing portion of Clover Island shoreline before restoration.

North Shoreline Before

Aerial of Clover Island following some of the shoreline improvements completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

North Shoreline After

Ribbon Cutting for Clover Island Shoreline Improvements – 05 12 23

Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress – 11 09 22

Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress – 5 23 22

Aerial of a section of Clover Island's shoreline restored during a 2021/2022 project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 5.23.22

A section of the Clover Island Riverwalk Trail, extended during a 2021/2022 project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 5.22

Aerial of crews using heavy equipment to restore the Clover Island shoreline as part of a 2021/2022 project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 3.22

Aerial of the Clover Island shoreline restoration progress as part of a 2021/2022 project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 2.10.22

Crews add rocks to the Clover Island shoreline during a 2021 to 2022 restoration project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 1.20.22

Crews operating excavators to help restore the Clover Island shoreline as part of a 2021 to 2022 project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 1.20.22

Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress – 12 07 21

Aerial of excavation work to remove concrete and debris from Clover Island's shoreline. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.18.21

An excavator operator loads concrete rubble into a dump truck. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.17.21

A rock-filled rectangular steel cage. The cages will line the shoreline to control shoreline erosion. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.10.21

Stacks of rock-filled rectangular steel cages await delivery at the rock quarry. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.10.21

Signage at Clover Island marks a closed parking lot and describes the planned shoreline restoration projects. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 10.15.21

Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress – 11 09 22

Clover Island "notch" feature following shoreline improvements completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.9.22

Clover Island "notch" feature following improvements completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.9.22

A family walking on a new section of the Clover Island Riverwalk Trail, added during a 2021/2022 project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 5.22

Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress – 2 10 22

Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress – 1 20 22

A bed of rocks is added to line Clover Island's shoreline to control erosion during a 2021 to 2022 restoration project. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 1.20.22

Workers use heavy equipment to remove concrete and debris from Clover Island's shoreline. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.17.21

A pile of concrete rubble that workers removed from Clover Island's shoreline. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.17.21

Workers filling rectangular steel cages with quarry rock. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.10.21

Workers move rectangular steel cages after filling them with quarry rock. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 11.10.21

Signage at The Willows marks a closed parking lot and describes the planned Clover Island shoreline restoration projects. — Clover Island Shoreline Restoration Progress - 10.15.21

2010/2011 Improvements Project

Public pathway along Clover Island shoreline in 2010 before restoration.

West Causeway Shoreline Before

Public pathway along Clover Island shoreline in 2013 after restoration.

West Causeway Shoreline After

Recreation, Food & Activities

People enjoy the artwork and events on the island and spend time there boating, biking, walking, watching wildlife, fishing, and taking in the river’s scenic beauty.

Surrounding the Clover Island Lighthouse is the Lighthouse Plaza that serves as a public gathering space. The plaza features colored and stamped concrete, which emulates a beacon of light emanating away from the tower. Benches and landscaped seating walls provide quiet places to enjoy the waterfront. The plaza offers visitors 360-degree access around the lighthouse base and unparalleled river views.

Public artwork installations abound on Clover Island. Explore art on the island and in other areas of the Port district.

Explore Clover Island Art

Clover Island Concert Series