Healthy Parks,
Healthy Neighborhoods
A citywide investment in neighborhood parks, safety, and maintenance
A Part of Together Spokane
Parks. Schools. Neighborhoods
Proposed Park Levy
City of Spokane Parks & Recreation is proposing a levy for public vote in November 2025 to improve parks in neighborhoods city-wide. The plan reflects the top community requests for park improvements, based on extensive feedback gathered during our 2021/2022 master planning.
The proposal is part of a collaboration with Spokane Public Schools called Together Spokane – two separate initiatives with one goal of improving Spokane Neighborhoods.
What would be included?
- Enhanced security by more than doubling our Special Commission Park Ranger team
- 3 new neighborhood parks (Shiloh Hills, North Indian Trail, and Latah/Hangman)
- 3 major park renovations (Minnehaha, Harmon, and Grant)
- 54+/- full playground replacements
- 85+/- restroom replacements
- 1 new all-weather, lighted, rectangular sports field
- 14+/- sport court renovations
- 1 new disc golf course
- 1 new pump track
- 12+/- irrigation system replacements
- 5 trail and trailhead renovation/developments
- Natural land acquisition and management
- Renovations to 3-5 existing softball/baseball fields with all-weather surface infields and/or practice lights
Recent Neighborhood Playground & Restroom Improvements
What would my neighborhood receive?
Every neighborhood would see park improvements.
To learn more about investments planned for parks in your neighborhood, please see Program Details. All park renovations would be designed in consultation with neighborhoods via neighborhood councils.
Why is levy funding necessary for these improvements?
Parks & Recreation can provide the current level of service with our existing budget, but to do more, it would require new funding sources.
The Parks division receives approximately 2.3% of the City's budget (representing 8% of the general fund expenditures). Program revenues and grants bring in additional money. Combined, the annual Parks & Recreation budget is about $25 million. These funds allow us to steward nearly 4,000 acres of public land and offer hundreds of free and low-cost recreation programs.
If approved, the levy would account for about 25% of the Parks budget, providing the funding to renovate aging parks, build new parks in neighborhoods without them, hire more maintenance and safety staff, add more all-weather fields, conserve more natural lands, and improve trailheads.
How much would it cost?
27 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. This means if you own a $325,000 home, just above the median taxable value in the city, the parks proposal would cost an additional $7.31 / month.
$12.1 million a year for 20 years
When would the levy appear on the ballot?
The levy is currently proposed for the November 2025 ballot. If approved, renovations would begin when funding arrives in mid-2026, and continue through 2045.
Would you like to share feedback?
To submit your feedback, please email parks@spokanecity.org or fill out our simple online form.
