Playground Improvements

'Playgrounds' were identified by citizens during the 2022 park and natural lands master plan as the second highest priority asset to upgrade within existing parks. A detailed condition rating of all city park playgrounds found nearly 60% of all city park playgrounds have aged beyond their design life, contain major damage, or are no longer functional and require complete replacement to restore proper functionality.

This project will replace all park playgrounds which are rated with a physical condition of 3.0 or higher. This includes replacement of approximately (32) playgrounds citywide, including all (10) large (community) park playgrounds within the city and approximately (22) smaller playgrounds within neighborhood parks citywide. All playground replacements will include dedicated play equipment for both the 2-5 and 5-12 age groups, inclusive play features, and enhanced ADA pathways to the playgrounds from the surrounding park. Large (community) playgrounds will include additional play features and new rubberized play surfacing instead of wood fiber surfacing to further enhance accessibility and quality.

Restroom Improvements

The 2022 park and natural lands master plan identified 'Restrooms' as the highest priority asset to add within city parks. Lack of consistent restroom access and quality were considered a problem by 7 in 10 residents.

This project will replace approximately 50% of all park restrooms citywide, totaling approximately (40) individual restroom buildings. Replacement restrooms will meet modern building code regulation and ADA access requirements and will include enhance ADA pathways to the restrooms from the surrounding park.

The remaining 50% of city restrooms will receive minor upgrades.

Concept Illustration 1

Concept Illustration 2

Trailheads and Trail Improvements

'Trailheads' and 'Trails' were identified by citizens during the 2022 park and natural lands master plan as a top tier community desire. In response to this community desire, this project replace and improve trailheads and construct new trail as outlined below:

• Replace the existing trailhead at Palisades Park, near district 3 and develop an additional trailhead to access the newly acquired Rimrock to Riverside portion of Palisades Park
• Provide supplemental accessory improvements to the newly renovated Beacon Hill trailheads currently being improved near district 1
• Improve new 'Class 1' paved access trail from Cliff Drive through Edwidge Woldson Park to 7th avenue in district 2 to provide an ADA accessible trail connection to expand walkable park and school access and provide a safer alternative to the 'Tiger Trail'
• Improve trailhead and trail access to the High Drive Bluff at appropriate location(s), which may include 'Rocket Gulch', or other locations as determined through collaboration with the Friends of the Bluff
• Allocate a portion of the funding required to complete the Fish Lake Trail Gap at 'U.P. Junction'. It is not intended that this project fund implementation in its entirety, but rather that it serve as matching funds for use in partnership with other agencies and grants to complete the connection.

Major Park Renovation

Minnehaha Park

Minnehaha Park is the City's only large (community) park east of Freya and serves residents east of the new North-South Freeway (NSC) who have been adversely impacted by its construction. The park is currently in poor to failing condition, lacks recent investment, is located within the highest social and environmental park equity priority zone, and requires substantial redevelopment to restore its functionality. It is one of three parks identified specifically within the 2022 park and natural lands master plan for major replacement. 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 improvements include renovation of up to 10 acres of park area, a large (community) playground, restroom upgrades, splash pad, paved off-street parking lot, neighborhood dog park, paved pathways, ADA improvements, irrigation system, multi-purpose field, connection to existing soft surface trails, landscape restoration, and if budget allows, either a pump-track or a sport court complex (depending on community preference).
See the full Minnehaha Park Concept Plans.

Concept Illustration 1

Concept Illustration 2

Grant Park

Grant Park, located immediately adjacent the bustling South Perry business district, is currently in poor to failing condition, lacks recent investment, and is located within the highest social and environmental park equity priority zone. Park infrastructure and amenities require complete replacement to restore proper functionality.

The planned project will include design, public outreach, and construction phases. Proposed improvements include renovation of up to 9 acres of park area, full replacement of the east parking lot and upgrades to the west parking lot, a new farmer's market courtyard space with support utilities, playground, splash pad, sport courts, paved pathways, ADA improvements, irrigation, and park landscape restoration.

Harmon Park

Harmon-Shipley Park, located near Francis and Market in northeast Spokane, functions as a large community gathering location and is currently in poor to failing condition, lacks recent investment, and is located within the highest social and environmental park equity priority zone. The majority of the park's infrastructure and amenities require complete replacement to restore proper functionality.

The planned project will include design, public outreach, and construction phases. Proposed improvements include renovation of up to 10 acres of park area, a new large (community) playground, restroom, sport courts, paved pathways, ADA improvements, utility hookups for events, irrigation, multi-purpose field space, park landscape restoration and if funding permits, a new splash pad.