Spokane Parks & Recreation

City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Websites

Manito Park

View Upcoming Events at Manito Park

Manito Park was officially established in April 1904 and has evolved from an undeveloped recreational area with a few flower beds, picnic spots and a zoo to one of Spokane’s primary showplaces. Comprised of five major garden areas (the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, Duncan Garden, Rose Hill, Lilac Garden and Ferris Perennial Garden), Manito Park is nationally recognized for its diverse horticultural displays. To view more information about specific gardens, click on the related links on the right side of the page. Also, use the Manito Park Map to locate your favorite gardens.

The Parks and Recreation Department maintains Manito Park’s 78 acres of native and cultivated landscape and 20 acres of world class botanical gardens. Other Manito Park features include: Mirror Pond, a favorite of those who enjoy watching ducks and other water fowl; the Park Bench Café, open in season for light meals; Loop Drive and Bridge, offering majestic views of the Rose Garden; Upper and Lower Playgrounds – a favorite gathering spot of children; and the large basalt rock office building constructed in 1912. Central to the Park is the Gaiser Conservatory, where beautiful flowing displays change seasonally.

The Friends of Manito

The Friends of Manito (TFM) is a non-profit group that supports Manito Park by providing funds for improvements for the general enhancement of Manito Park. Three major plant sales are given each year with approximately 100 volunteers working months before to prepare the plant material - making the events the premier plant sales for Spokane gardeners. Throughout the year, TFM also offers educational programs to further promote the community’s use and enjoyment of Manito Park. Since their beginning, TFM has contributed over $525,000 to Manito Park.

Awards and Recognition

In 2009, Manito Park was identified as "Best of Attractions - Spokane, Washington" by UpTake.com. UpTake.com awards are based on a careful analysis of customer reviews and expert ratings from across the web, collected from over 5,000 different websites and millions of customer opinions.

In 2007, Rose Hill was named number one in the nation by All-America Rose Selections (AARS), a nonprofit association dedicated to the introduction and promotion of exceptional roses.

Mirror Pond

The pond in Manito Park, originally a natural lake called Mirror Lake, would dry up during summer months. To prevent that a concrete base was eventually installed and, as the pond then stayed full year round, canoes could be rented on site. From 1905-1907 a dance hall was opened on one side of the pond and open air movies were shown nearby.