Fianna Dickson, City of Spokane Parks & Recreation, Communication Manager, 509.625.6297
Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 12:21 p.m.
Exciting improvements are underway at Rochester Heights Park thanks to a federal Community Development Block Grant and the TruGreen TruNeighbor program.
The Whitman Neighborhood Council voted to prioritize pathways and senior exercise equipment for the latest improvements to the park. A federal Community Development Block Grant is funding the new pathways while the TruGreen TruNeighbor program donated $5,000 toward the purchase of exercise equipment for the senior exercise area.
Phase I of pathway construction has already begun, installing approximately 1,000 lineal feet of new, 6’ wide asphalt park pathway within the north half of the park. The pathway will be completed by October 19. Phase II of the project will be implemented in 2018/2019 and will construct a new pathway within the southern half of the park.
“These ADA accessible pathways will serve as the backbone of future development within the park,” says Parks Planning Landscape Architect Nick Hamad, who has spearheaded a number of park walkway projects around the city.
TruGreen’s TruNeighbor program, which provides grants and other support to help cities and towns reduce community blight, increase access to green spaces, and beautify neighborhoods, sponsored the new fitness area. Designed for anyone ages 5 – 85, the fitness area will feature six pieces of exercise equipment including a balance beam, a box step-up station, a body curl (sit-up) station, knee lift station, pull up bar, and hand cycle. Installation of the exercise equipment will also be completed as part of Phase I by October 19.
“It’s a privilege to help provide a place for the community to stay active while living life outside,” said Johnny Dell, TruGreen General Manager. “We hope residents enjoy the equipment for years to come and will think of the fitness area as a place for the whole family to stay healthy together.”
The Spokane Regional Health District and City of Spokane Parks & Recreation will continue working with the neighborhood to plan future development within the park. Whitman, Bemiss, Chief Garry, Hillyard, Minnehaha, and East Central neighborhood councils have all dedicated Community Development Block Grant funding to the current and future development within the park.
