Parks & Recreation Department News Releases for 2022

December

Parks & Recreation Opens Applications for Food & Beverage Partners

Dec. 13 at 9:40 a.m. - Parks & Recreation is seeking food and beverage partners to support various sites and operations throughout the park system

Renovated Don Kardong Pedestrian Bridge Reopens Friday

Dec. 13 at 9:39 a.m. - Renovated Kardong pedestrian bridge reopens December 16, 2022 after extensive renovation

November

South Indian Canyon road to close for winter

Nov. 30 at 11:48 a.m. - South Indian Canyon road to close for winter

World Ice Skating Day Dec. 4 at the Numerica Skate Ribbon

Nov. 30 at 11:42 a.m. - Be one of the first 50 people to visit the Numerica Skate Ribbon on Dec. 4, 2022, and enjoy free admission sponsored by Numerica Credit Union

Parks & Recreation + Partners Bring Holiday Festivities 2022

Nov. 17 at 3:37 p.m. - This holiday season, Parks & Rec and partners are offering a wide variety of festive events and activities to bring cheer through the New Year

Numerica Skate Ribbon Opens for Ice Skating Sat., Nov. 19, 2022

Nov. 14 at 2:05 p.m. - The Numerica Skate Ribbon is anticipated to open on Saturday, November 19, 2022, welcoming ice skaters for another beautiful winter in the park

October

New Art The Seeking Place Opens October 18 in Riverfront Park

Oct. 11 at 9:23 a.m. - Spokane’s Riverfront Park is set to unveil its newest piece of public art next week

100 New Street Trees Coming to West Central & Bemiss Neighborhoods

Oct. 7 at 9:23 a.m. - This month, approximately 100 new street trees will be planted in the West Central and Bemiss neighborhoods, as a part of the SpoCanopy program

Parks Shares Proposed Dog Park Guidelines, Hosts Dist. 2 Open Houses

Oct. 6 at 4:41 p.m. - Spokane Parks shares proposed guidelines for future parks, asks for feedback on sites for District 2 locations at upcoming open house events

Riverfront Park and Berger Partnership Win ASLA Award

Oct. 6 at 2:39 p.m. - Riverfront Park and Berger Partnership have won an Honor Award in the General Design category from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)

Deadline Extended for Riverfront Pavilion Naming Rights Partner Propos

Oct. 4 at 10:31 a.m. - The deadline for proposals to partner with Riverfront Park in naming the U.S. Pavilion is extended to Oct. 31, 2022

September

WSECU Fall Fest Returns Downtown October 1-2, 2022

Sept. 22 at 3:04 p.m. - Riverfront, Downtown Spokane Partnership, River Park Square, and Spokane Arts are partnering to bring a weekend packed with free family fun downtown.

Stormwater Project Temp Closing Disc Golf Course, TJ Meenach Access

Sept. 22 at 2:58 p.m. - Project will temporarily close Downriver Disc Golf and TJ Meenach river access point from Sept. 26, 2022 - June 2023

Riverfront Seeks Naming Rights Partner for U.S. Pavilion

Sept. 7 at 9:59 p.m. - Riverfront Park is seeking an exclusive naming rights partner for the iconic Expo '74 U.S. Pavilion

Shakespeare in the Park 2022

Sept. 1 at 10:31 a.m. - Shakespeare in the Park is coming to Riverfront and Manito parks for free performances

August

King Cole Commemoration Project Art Open House, August 23

Aug. 11 at 1:59 p.m. - A group of volunteers are looking to honor the contributions of King Cole and the numerous stakeholders who made Expo 74 & Riverfront Park a reality.

Spokane Parks Seeks Input on Future Dog Parks

Aug. 10 at 2:39 p.m. - Spokane Parks & Recreation is seeking community input to help guide the development of future dog parks citywide over the next several years

July

Construction of New Art, The Seeking Place, at Riverfront

July 26 at 8:40 a.m. - A new piece of local art will soon be installed in Riverfront Park

Golfers’ Appreciation Day, August 1, 2022

July 21 at 3:35 p.m. - Spokane Parks & Recreation Thanks Golfers for Water Conservation Investments with Golfers’ Appreciation Day, August 1, 2022

Shakespeare in the Park returns to Riverfront this summer

July 7 at 10:24 a.m. - S3 will present their second season in Riverfront with two productions for 2022

Spokane County Conservation Futures Funds Palisades Park Expansion

July 1 at 11:02 a.m. - Spokane County’s Conservation Futures Program funded acquisition of 114 additional acres to Palisades Park, owned and managed by the City of Spokane

Red Wagon Renovation Complete, Re-Opens Mid-Saturday

July 1 at 10:28 a.m. - The red wagon renovation in Riverfront Park is nearly complete, and it is anticipated to re-open to the public Saturday, July 2, 2022.

June

4th of July 2022 in Riverfront Park

June 22 at 4:08 p.m. - 4th of July 2022 Fireworks, Spokane Symphony Concert, and Festivities at Riverfront Park

No Person Fell or Jumped from the Riverfront SkyRide

June 22 at 4:05 p.m. - Contrary to speculation seen online today, no one fell or jumped from the Numerica SkyRide in Riverfront Park.

City Aquatic Centers Open June 20, 2022

June 14 at 10:47 a.m. - The City’s six aquatic centers are scheduled to open Monday, June 20 and run through Friday, August 26, 2022

Reveal Event June 18 for Riverfront Dog Park Design, Name

June 13 at 5:12 p.m. - Join us Saturday, June 18, 2022 at noon for the reveal of the design and name of the future dog park in Riverfront Park

Deadline Extended: Cultural Events Incentive Grants

June 7 at 5:17 p.m. - Application deadline extended to June 20, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Most Splash Pads Open for the Season in City Parks

June 6 at 11:21 a.m. - Splash pad season runs until September 6

May

Red Wagon in Riverfront to Receive Fresh Paint, Minor Repairs

May 27 at 10:20 a.m. - The red wagon in Riverfront Park, named The Childhood Express, is slated to receive a fresh coat of paint along with minor metal repairs.

Cultural Event Incentive Grants Available from American Rescue Plan Fu

May 26 at 6:21 p.m. - Cultural Event Incentive Grants Available from American Rescue Plan Funds

Upriver Park Ribbon Cutting June 2

May 26 at 3:52 p.m. - Ribbon cutting and dedication for Upriver Park renovations funded by Avista

Community Asked for Design Input on New Liberty Park Playground

May 26 at 12:09 p.m. - Survey open now through June 12, 2022 on new playground design at Liberty Park.

Parks & Recreation Releases Draft Master Plan

May 25 at 1:46 p.m. - Parks & Recreation released a draft Master Plan, created from feedback from more than 5,300 residents at 25 engagement opportunities.

Free Riverfront Park Spring and Summer Activities 2022

May 18 at 4:50 p.m. - Riverfront has a variety of community engagement programs offered free to the community this spring & summer! Thank you to our incredible sponsors.

Kardong Pedestrian Bridge Renovation Begins May 23, 2022

May 17 at 11:55 a.m. - Construction begins Monday, May 23 on the Don Kardong pedestrian bridge renovation.

Goats Return to Spokane Parks to Aid in Fire Prevention

May 10 at 5:09 p.m. - The program is intended to reduce fire risk in natural areas by reducing brush and tree sapling density.

Children Asked to Help Design New Playground at Liberty Park

May 5 at 8:35 a.m. - A children’s design workshop will be held Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Liberty Park Library, from 10 A.M.  – Noon

April

Washington Trust Bank Returns Mute Swans via Sculpture to Manito Park

April 27 at 1:48 p.m. - On May 4, 2022, a sculpture featuring a mated pair of bronze-cast mute swans will be unveiled

Free Arbor Day Activities Saturday at Finch Arboretum 2022

April 27 at 10:44 a.m. - Mark Spokane’s 19th year as a Tree City USA at the Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30, 2022, 11 A.M. – 2 P.M., at Finch Arboretum

Parks & Recreation in Need of Temporary/Seasonal Staff

April 26 at 3:49 p.m. - Parks & Recreation is on the last big push to round out the seasonal workforce.

Liberty Park Collaboration Will Renovate Playground, Basketball Court

April 14 at 12:12 p.m. - Seven partners are working together to fully revitalize the playground and basketball court at Liberty Park on the lower south hill.

Riverfront Offers Open House for Event Organizers

April 13 at 1:52 p.m. - Riverfront is planning an open house for anyone considering hosting an event at the park.

Riverfront Dog Park Design Community Survey

April 5 at 1:38 p.m. - The community is invited to share their thoughts on what a future dog park in Riverfront Park could look like.

March

Jess Roskelley Foundation Adds New Climbing Structures to Audubon Park

March 29 at 1:59 p.m. - Several new climbing structures for kids have been added at the Audubon Park playground, thanks to the Jess Roskelley Foundation

Riverfront's North Suspension Bridge Renovation Complete

March 29 at 1:17 p.m. - Reconstruction of the north suspension pedestrian bridge in Riverfront Park is complete, and the bridge will re-open to the public March 30, 2022.

Indian Canyon Golf Course Opens Saturday

March 21 at 4 p.m. - Indian Canyon golf course will open for the season on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

Downriver Golf Course opens Friday

March 17 at 2:23 p.m. - One more City golf course is set to open - Downriver Golf Course opens Friday, March 18, 2022.

The Creek at Qualchan opens March 12, and Esmeralda opens March 16

March 10 at 12:47 p.m. - The Creek at Qualchan opens March 12, and Esmeralda opens March 16, 2022. Opening dates for Indian Canyon and Downriver will be announced soon.

February

Spokane Humane Society Donates $250,000 Toward Riverfront Dog Park

Feb. 23 at 10:13 a.m. - The Spokane Humane Society donated $250,000 towards construction of a dog park in the heart of Riverfront Park at the Forestry Shelter.

Riverfront Maintenance Begins Next Week + Valentines on Ice

Feb. 11 at 9:54 p.m. - A few maintenance projects will have minor impacts on Riverfront Park visitors beginning next week.

Parks & Recreation Awarded Funding to Expand Outdoor Youth Programs

Feb. 4 at 11:29 a.m. - City of Spokane Parks & Recreation was awarded funding totaling nearly $133,000 to expand summer 2022 outdoor youth programs.

January

Kardong Bridge Project Receives $1.45 Million in ARP Funds from CC

Jan. 26 at 12:02 p.m. - Monday, the City Council allocated $1.45M of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds towards repair of the Kardong Bridge, completing the funding package.

Parks & Recreation Master Plan Will Help Guide Spending of ARP Funds

Jan. 10 at 12:08 p.m. - Spokane Parks & Recreation was allocated $1,120,000 in the first round of the City of Spokane’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) appropriations last week.