Site Preparation to Begin at Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park

Carrousel remains open until January 2

Fianna Dickson, 509.625.6297


Friday, December 2, 2016 at 4:39 p.m.


As Riverfront Park redevelopment progresses, site preparation will start Monday, December 5 at the Looff Carrousel location. The Carrousel will remain open to visitors through the holidays and close for restoration on January 2.

Beginning next week, visitors to the park will see fencing around portions of the Looff as site preparation begins. The new climate-controlled building is anticipated to open in early 2018.

Tree Work

Site preparations for construction of the new Looff Carrousel building include tree canopy and root pruning, mulch and protection zones, and tree removals – all provided by certified arborists.

There is a 2-for-1 replacement policy; for every tree removed, two will be planted in City of Spokane parks with priority given to Riverfront Park.

The redevelopment of Riverfront Park was designed with trees at the forefront. Plans were drawn to ensure trees with the highest significance and value remained.

Archaeology Survey

In addition to tree work, archaeological testing will take place at the site. The archaeology survey will document underground historic materials within the construction footprint of the Looff Carrousel to avoid unnecessary damage to important historic materials without proper documentation and recovery, and to comply with necessary historic preservation laws and regulations.

The archaeological survey and testing project is a collaboration of the Spokane Tribe of Indians Preservation Program and the Fort Walla Walla Museum under contract by the City of Spokane. This work is being conducted under a permit issued by the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

The Gondola Meadow underwent a survey this summer, and other areas of the park will undergo similar testing prior to construction.