New Park Development Projects

Meadowglen Park

Meadowglen Park consist of +/-30 acres of city owned land which sits undeveloped within Spokane's rapidly developing North Indian Trail Neighborhood. More than 2,800 of neighborhood households lack walkable access to a park, making the neighborhood’s ‘park walkability’ score the worst in the city. Developing Meadowglen Park significantly improves park access for residents within this neighborhood by creating walkable access to a developed park for over 650 households. It is one of three parks identified specifically within the 2022 park and natural lands master plan for major replacement and has been a primary desire for the neighborhood for over two decades. An initial park renovation concept plan has already been generated with the community.

The planned project will include design, public outreach, and construction phases. Proposed improvement includes new development of up to 14 acres of park area and preservation of at least 16 acres of property as natural land. Proposed improvements include a new neighborhood playground, restroom and associated utilities, pavilion / gazebo structure, paved off-street parking lot, sport court, paved pathways, ADA improvements, irrigation system, multi-purpose turf field, connection to existing soft surface trails, and landscape improvements. It is envisioned that this project will consciously limit the amount of turfgrass and include large portions of 'meadow landscape'. Should funding permit, neighborhood dog park and/or splash pad may also be included.
See full Meadowglen Park plan rendering

Shiloh Hills Park

The Shiloh Hills neighborhood, located in Northeast Spokane, is home to a large number of apartment homes, is highly socially vulnerable, is located within the highest social and environmental park equity priority zone, and more than 1,820 of neighborhood households lack walkable access to a park. In particular, residents east of Nevada Street have no walkable access to a park. Acquisition and development of a park in this vicinity is one of three priority 'new park development' projects identified specifically within the 2022 park and natural lands master plan and is listed as a 'very high priority.'

The planned project will include land acquisition, planning, design, public outreach, and construction phases. The priority for land acquisition is undeveloped property located north of Francis Street, East of Nevada Street, with walkable access to as many apartment homes as possible. Target land acquisition size is between 5-10 acres in size. Proposed improvements include a new neighborhood playground, restroom, sport court, paved pathways, ADA improvements, irrigation system, multi-purpose turf field, and landscape improvements. Should funding permit a splash pad may also be included.

Qualchan Hills Park

Qualchan Hills Park consists of +/-16 acres of city owned land which sits undeveloped within Spokane's rapidly developing Latah Hangman Neighborhood. More than 2,100 neighborhood households lack walkable access to a park, making the neighborhood's 'park walkability' score the second worst in the city. Despite rapid residential planned-unit-development which includes privately maintained parks for nearby residents, no developed public park land exists east of Highway 195. Developing Qualchan Hills Park significantly improves park access for residents within this neighborhood by creating public park access for PUD & non-PUD residents alike. It is one of three parks identified specifically within the 2022 park and natural lands master plan for new park development. The property sits adjacent to school district lands – making a joint development of a school & park a possibility.

The planned project will include design, public outreach, and construction phases. Proposed improvements include new development of up to 10 acres of park area, including a new large (community) playground, restroom and associated utilities, pavilion / gazebo structure, splash pad, paved off-street parking lot, sport court, paved pathways, ADA improvements, irrigation system, multi-purpose turf field and landscape improvements, and if desired by the community, a potential neighborhood dog park. It is envisioned that this project will consciously limit the amount of turfgrass and include large portions of 'meadow landscape' and will plant an 'enhanced buffer landscape' along Hangman Creek.

Southeast Spokane Acquisition

While residents West of Ray Street enjoy easy access to these facilities, residents living east of Freya & Ray Streets face a significant barrier crossing this high-capacity roadway to access existing park lands. As a result, more than 2,600 neighborhood households lack walkable access to a park, and the 2022 park and natural lands master plan identified acquiring land to improve park access for residents as a priority need for this area.

The planned project will include land acquisition only. Target land acquisition should be approximately 1-2 acres in size and may be either undeveloped or developed. Land acquired should be east of Freya Street between Hartson and 21st Street, with walkable access to as many homes as possible. Land acquired will be held in its acquired state until future park development funding is secured in the future.

River Access Improvements

According to survey & market analysis from the 2022 park and natural lands master plan, 'fishing' / 'freshwater access' is one of the top five local activities by number of participants. As a result, increasing opportunities to access the Spokane river was identified as a tier 1 community priority. Particularly, the plan recommends 'developing additional universally accessible water access points for fishing access, including non-motorized boat launch, SUP & kayaking with adequate parking'. Access points should incorporate ADA design best practices for developing water access points.

The planned project will include:

• Design and construction phases for water access improvements a boulder beach near District 1 to expand ADA access and provide additional parking on the north side of Upriver Drice.
• Design only for a new ADA accessible non-motorized boat access point on the 'Three Islands' property within District 3 near the west end of the TJ Meenach bridge. Design will conceptualize a new paved parking lot / trailhead, ADA accessible trail, non-motorized boat access ramp, and potential swimming area. Construction funding for this property will need to be secured via grants and partnerships in the future to implement these improvements.

Natural Lands Management Plan & Acquisition Fund

According to community survey during the 2022 park and natural lands master plan, 93% of Spokane residents desire to protect wildlife habitat, conserve native plants, sensitive landscape and forests and preserve areas with beautiful or unique natural habitat. Despite rapid development of natural land within and immediately adjacent the City of Spokane, City Parks does not have a comprehensive strategy for the acquisition and maintenance of park natural lands, nor does it allocate dedicated funding to acquiring additional natural lands for preservation.

In response to community affinity for natural land, this program element will:

• Fund creation of a citywide ‘Natural Lands Acquisition and Management Plan’. The plan shall include significant community input from subject matter experts, partner agencies (Spokane County, WDFW, etc.), citizen scientists, and community members.
• Create a dedicated fund for acquisition of priority natural lands identified within the acquisition and management plan, allocating approximately $125,000 annually plus yearly escalation for property acquisition.