Smart Cycling - Traffic Skills 101

Bicycling to work, to the store, for errands or exercise can be safe and enjoyable.  The League of American Bicyclists “Smart Cycling – Traffic Skills 101” class gives cyclists the confidence they need to ride safely and legally on streets.  Learn principles of riding with traffic, predicting and avoiding motorist errors, bike handling skills, basic bicycle maintenance, and essential gear. The class is taught by certified instructors and includes a student manual.  Recommended for adults and children above age 15.  Class hours are spent both in the classroom and on street settings to prepare cyclists for a full understanding of vehicular cycling. 

Bring a bike in good condition and a helmet.  Students age 15 to 17 must have a parent present. 

The cost for this class is $10, nonrefundable registration fee. The value of the class is $50. Scholarships valued at $40 are available on a first come, first serve basis as part of an educational grant awarded to the City of Spokane to help reduce collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists. The course includes two classes; dates are May 15 & 19, May 30 & June 6, June 5 & June 9, June 21 & June 23.  Click here  to register!

Daily Field Event History

Classes Under $20

We have tons of programs under $20 and even some under $10!

Use this page to easily find our upcoming classes that cost $20 and less.

Follow the links for more information and to register.

Check back for new classes often! Last updated: May 2, 2012.

Cover Photo Contest

Past Committee Meetings

Park Board Finance Committee

Agendas

2011-12-06 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-09-06 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-08-09 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-07-12 Agenda
2011-06-07 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-05-10 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-04-12 Agenda, Associated Documents

Minutes

2011-10-11 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-08-09 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-07-12 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-06-07 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-05-10 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-4-12 Minutes, Associated Documents

Park Board Golf Committee

Agendas

2011-12-07 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-11-16 Agenda - RESCHEDULED for Dec. 7th
2011-10-19 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-09-14 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-08-17 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-07-20 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-06-15 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-05-18 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-04-18 Agenda and Associated Documents 
2011-04-20 Agenda, Associated Documents

Minutes

2011-10-19 Minutes
2011-09-14 Minutes
2011-08-17 Minutes and Revised Minutes
2011-07-20 Minutes
2011-06-15 Minutes
2011-05-18 Minutes
2011-04-20 Minutes

Park Board Recreation Committee

Agendas

2011-12-1 Agenda
November 3 meeting cancelled
2011-10-06 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-09-01 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-08-04 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-07-07 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-06-02 Agenda
2011-05-05 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-04-07 Agenda, Associated Documents

Minutes

2011-12-01 Minutes
November 3 meeting cancelled
2011-10-06 Minutes
2011-09-01 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-08-04 Minutes
2011-07-07 Minutes, Associated Document
2011-06-02
2011-05-05
2011-04-07

Park Board Riverfront Park Committee

Agendas

2011-11-28 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-10-31 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-10-03 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-08-29 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-08-01 Special Meeting Notice, Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-07-11 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-06-06 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-05-02 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-04-04
2011-02-28

Minutes

2011-11-28 Minutes
2011-10-03 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-08-29 Minutes, 
2011-08-01 Minutes
2011-07-11 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-06-06 Minutes and Associated Documents
2011-05-02 Minutes, Associated Documents 
2011-04-04
2011-02-28

Park Board Urban Forestry Committee

Agendas

2011-11-1 Tree Committee Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-09-27 Special Meeting Notice, Agenda and Documents (previously scheduled for Oct. 4) 
2011-08-30 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-08-2 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-05-31 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-05-03 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-04-05 Agenda
2011-03-01 Agenda

Minutes 

2011-11-1 Tree Committee Minutes, CAC Minutes and Associated Documents
2011-09-27 Tree Committee Minutes, CAC Minutes and Associated Documents (October Meeting)
2011-08-30 Tree Committee Minutes, CAC Minutes and Associated Documents
2011-08-02 Tree Committee Minutes, CAC Minutes
2011-07-05 Tree Committee Minutes, CAC Minutes and Associated Documents
2011-05-31 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-05-03 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-04-05 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-03-01

Park Board Land Committee

Agendas

2012-01-04 Agenda
2011-10-05 Agenda
2011-08-31 Agenda
2011-08-03 Agenda
2011-07-06 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-06-01 Agenda, Associated Document
2011-05-04 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-04-06 Agenda, Associated Documents
2011-03-02

Minutes

2011-11-30 Minutes
2011-10-05 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-08-31 Minutes
2011-08-03 Minutes
2011-07-06 Mintues, Associated Documents
2011-06-01 Minutes, Associated Documents
2011-05-04 Minutes, Associated Documents, 
2011-04-06

Park Board Meetings

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

2012 Park Board Agendas

2012-01-12 Agenda & Attachments

2012-01-24 Agenda & Attachments (SPECIAL MEETING)

2012-02-09 Agenda & Attachments

2012-03-08 Agenda & Attachments

2012-04-12 Agenda & Attachments

2012-05-10 Agenda & Attachments

2012-05-15 Agenda & Attachments (SPECIAL MEETING)

2012 Park Board Minutes

2012-01-12 Minutes

2012-01-24 Minutes (SPECIAL MEETING)

2012-02-09 Minutes

2012-03-08 Minutes

2012 Park Board Study Sessions

2012-01-12 Study Session Notes

2012-02-09 Study Session Notes

2012-03-08 Study Session Notes

For previous Park Board Meeting Minutes & Agendas, click here.

Riverfront Park Master Plan

The Spokane Parks & Recreation Deparment is currently working on the Riverfront Park Master Plan. Documents associated with the Riverfront Park Master Plan may be found below. As always, public input is essential. If you would like to leave feedback regarding the plan, please email us.

November 2011 Stakeholders Summary

Master Plan Design 1

Master Plan Design 2

Master Plan Design 3

Internships/Work Study

To apply or learn more contact Catherine Lyle at 509.625.6216 or by email at clyle@spokanecity.org.

Internships

College students looking to complete their program service hour requirements for a wide range of studies such as recreation, therapeutic recreation, sports management, park maintenance, and many other positions will be able to gain experience from being an intern in our programs. Currently we are recruiting for our Corbin Art Center Camp Internship, Mascot Promotion Internship, and our Photography Internship!

High School Senior Projects/Service Requirements

Youth looking for a place to serve their community and complete school community service and volunteer hours are able to pick from a variety of our programs and gain the experience they are looking for.

Work Study

College students who qualify for federal work study are able to be employed part time for a range of positions that give students necessary job skills. 

Court Ordered Community Service

Adult and juvenile community members who are court ordered to complete community service hours may be able to serve their hours within some of our programs depending on a complete background check that can be accepted by the various programs. 

WorkFirst

WorkFirst is Washington State's temporary cash assistance program. The goals of the WorkFirst Program is to help low-income families stabilize their lives, so they can go to work and take better care of their families. We have both office and maintenance Workfirst positions available here with Spokane Parks and Recreation!

Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Volunteer Events

Here are just a few events and if you are interested and would like more information contact Catherine Lyle at 509.625.6216 or by email at clyle@spokanecity.org to register and/or get the latest information on volunteer needs.

Volunteer Smarter, Not Harder!

Take a look below at the chart and see if your employer will compensate you for volunteering with us and/or multiply a contribution you may wish to make.  We are extremely grateful for both your time and financial assistance to our programs. 

If your company is eligible, download or request a matching gift and/or volunteer match program form from your employer. Your employer may ask for our Employer Identification Number (EIN) (i.e. Federal Tax Identification Number): 91-6001280 and your gift will fall within these benefit categories: Civic, Health and Human Service, Therapeutic Recreation, and Land Conservation.  Complete the forms from your company and obtain all necessary approvals before beginning. Send the forms to City of Spokane Parks & Recreation 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane, WA 99201.  If you do not see your company name please check with your company for potential opportunities and changes to your employers volunteer and donation programs.  Please let us know if there are any updates we may need to make to our list of participating businesses. 

Become a Volunteer

Spokane Parks and Recreation needs volunteers to keep our programs in operation, affordable, and our local parks strong.  We strive to give Spokane families opportunities to stay healthy by learning new skills, connecting with people, and providing recreational lands to enjoy during all four of our Northwest Seasons.  Our volunteers have to be at least 14 years old and complete a waiver and background check.

Individual Volunteer

Individuals from scout troops looking for volunteer opportunities to meet their badge and/or project requirements, college students looking to meet their degree requirements, high school students needing to complete their senior year projects, and many local community members wanting to give back have been the foundation for our Parks and Recreation Volunteer Program. If being an individual volunteer interests you please contact Catherine Lyle at 509.625.6216 or by email at Clyle@spokanecity.org.

INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER FORM

Group Volunteer

Corporate members, civil service organizations, religious groups, troops, classes, and large families have been a welcome sight to many of our parks and programs that needed people to come together and accomplish large tasks.  To set up a day of service for your group please just contact Catherine Lyle at 509.625.6216 or by email at Clyle@spokanecity.org .

GROUP VOLUNTEER FORM

Examples of Volunteer Activities

Check out these rewarding volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, contact Catherine Lyle for more information at Clyle@spokanecity.orgor at 509.625.6216. Unless otherwise listed, the time commitment is flexible so that you can volunteer at your own pace.

Therapeutic Recreation Services Assistant - Volunteer Ages 16+

We are recruiting passionate volunteers who enjoy assisting people with disabilities to explore and expand their talents. Volunteers can commit to specific TRS programs of interest listed in this guide. Training is included and all class fees are waived for the activities you assist. 

Outdoor Trip Assistant - Volunteer Ages 18+ and OnCall

If you have a talent for biking, canoeing, hiking, or other outdoor activities in this guide, consider sharing your skills as an Outdoor Trip Assistant! Training is included and all class fees and equipment costs are waived for the trips you assist.

Corbin Arts Center Summer Camp Internship - Volunteer Ages 18+ and through June 4^th-August 11^th

Are you looking for a summer internship where you will gain valuable, resume building skills in organization, education, and the arts? This summer internship is open to college students and adults who can commit to work 30 hours a week from June 4 to August 11.  

Hobby Instructor/Entertainer - Volunteer Age 14+

Do you have a skill in the arts, sports, or entertainment fields?  Our programs are seeking volunteers who may be willing to teach and/or share their talent. Hobby Instructors get the chance to inspire and benefit people’s lives. 

Trail Advocate -Volunteer Age 14+

Volunteer outdoors and learn how to sustain a healthy trail. We are currently seeking people and groups who would like to clear and maintain our local trails. Maintaining trails is also a great form of exercise!

Maintenance Assistant - Volunteer Age 14+

Gain practical skills in maintenance and keep your local park beautiful. Maintenance Assistants will learn hirable job skills while keeping parks a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.

Friends of Manito Volunteer - Volunteer Age 14+

The Friends of Manito gives volunteers an opportunity to connect with and learn from some of the area’s best gardeners. TFM is committed to Manito Park through preservation and fundraising events. To learn more about the Friends of Manito go to www.thefriendsofmanito.org/.

Volunteers In Pruning (VIP) - Volunteer Age 16+

If you are a tree lover or gardener and want to know more about the techniques needed to properly prune and train young tress, then this is the volunteer program for you! To learn more go to http://spokaneurbanforestry.org and click programs and/or email Angel Spell at Aspell@spokanecity.org. 

Fitness Punch Card

Treat yourself to the luxury of choosing the classes that fit YOUR schedule! With the Fitness Punch Card you can sample our classes and improve your fitness level. The Fitness Punch Card is also a great gift! Punch Card holders choose from the classes below.

Abs Core Xpress              Body Fit Camp

Body Synergy                     Strength & Conditioning

Zumba Fitness                 Zumba Toning

Click on the links above for class schedules, to view full schedules, and check availability.

The Fitness Punch Card Cost is $39 and includes 4 punches.

Purchase your Fitness Punch Card HERE. Also, check out the "fine print" below.

FITNESS PUNCH CARD POLICY

Classes must have met minimum registrants to be eligible for punch card use.  

For the latest information, current class schedule, and available spaces, please call 509.625.6200 or go to spokaneparks.org/page/fitnesspunch (this page).

Punch cards can be used for the following fitness classes: Abs Core Xpress, Body Fit Camp, Body Synergy, Strength & Conditioning, Zumba Fitness, and Zumba Toning. Abs Core Xpress classes can be combined with a class prior to or after for one punch. i.e. Abs followed by Body Fit Camp, Abs followed by Strength, Zumba followed by Abs.

It is the punch card holder’s responsibility to check detailed schedules before attending, as many classes have bye weeks such as no-school days. Click on a class above and check the schedule by clicking on “view full schedule” for any of our classes.

It is the punch card holder’s responsibility to check availability before attending, as registrations occur daily. Sold out classes are not eligible for punch card attendance. After clicking on a class above, see the “avail.” column on any of our classes to check availability. If the number in the “avail.” column is zero, then the class is sold out and punch card holders cannot attend. The picture below has a circle on the available column.

There are NO refunds for lost or stolen cards. These cards do not expire.

No need to make a reservation. Just check that day to make sure that the class you want to attend is occurring and has space, show up with your punch card, and check in with the class teaching assistant (T.A.).! You will be asked to sign the punch card waiver before participating in class.

Buy Now, Save All Summer Long

Now is the time to buy your Summer Aquatics Pass.

Prices below are valid only until April 8, 2012.

Swim all summer long at the following prices:

Purchase Online

by phone at 509.625.6200 or in person at 5th Floor - City Hall

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

November 3, 2011 was the celebration of the New Conservation Area at Riverfront Park. Check out this video recapping the event.

Advertise in the Program Guide

Your business can reach 62,000 Spokane homes by sponsoring an advertisement in our Recreation Activity Guide! In addition to direct mail, the guide is emailed in PDF format and an interactive format to more than 10,000 past participants. The interactive format allows the opportunity to add video, audio, pictures and clickable links - at no extra cost! Our guide is also available on our website, Facebook, Twitter and e-Newsletters. We promote our guide all season long which means your advertisement will be pushed out not just once, but constantly throughout the season. We put all advertisements in relavant locations. For example, an art supply store ad would go with the Corbin Arts Center offerings.

Prices

Choose a size that works for your budget and consider adding a coupon, special offer or QR code in your ad. See the pricing chart, then click here for the details and order form. 

Deadlines

Spring 2012: Ads due February 1st, guide will be mailed February 28.

Summer 2012: Ads due April 30, guide will be mailed May 30.

Fall 2012: Ads due August 6, guide will be mailed August 29.

Winter 2012: Ads due November 12, guide will be mailed November 28.

Please email Erica VanNatta, marketing assistant, with any questions, evannatta@spokanecity.org.

BMX at Dwight Merkel

Open Hours

1pm - 7pm Daily

2011 Race Schedule

October 28 and 29, sign up time: 6:30 - 7:30
Cost
$8 Friday, ribbon
$10 Saturday, trophy

Gate Practice Schedule

October 26 at 7pm
Cost - $3

 The BMX track is expected to close for the season soon depending on precipitation. Get more information on the Joe Albi BMX Facebook page.

Guest Pass Campaign

Take part in our Guest Pass Campaign. The 1st day is on us!

Guest Pass Campaign applies to the following classes only:

Abs Core Express

Body Boot Camp

Body Synergy

Circuit Training

Fitness & Nutrition

Pilates Yoga Blend

Zumba

Classes must have minimum number of registrants in order for class to run. Classes may cancel due to low enrollment.

 Fitness Classes in the Schools

Try a class in your neighborhood! Now that's convenient, fun fitness!

Wilson Elementary School
-Body Synergy with Toni, Mondays and/or Wednesdays

Sacajawea Middle School
-Circuit Traning with Erin, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays
-Zumba with Lynette, Mondays

Lidgerwood  Elementary School
-Zumba with Alicia, Tuesdays and/or Thursdays

Finch Elementary School
-Abs Core Express with Mandy, Tuesdays and/Thursdays
-Body Boot Camp with Mandy, Tuesdays and/Thursdays

Revised Recreation Budget Proposal and Division Budgets

The Revised Recreation 2012 Budget Proposal summary is current as of 4:30 p.m., September 22.

• Increases the overall 2012 Recreation Budget compared to the 2012 Preliminary Budget by $392,280, to a total of $656,400.

• $332,331 of that restores funding to the centers for senior and youth recreation services along with $50,000 to assist in transitioning to a new funding model.

• This represents a 19% reduction to the centers funding as compared to 2011. When you add in the $50,000 of transition money the reduction in total is only 13%

• The “$50,000 will not be allocated to the centers individually but will be used to assist in the 2012 transition process.

• Here is the revised proposal for centers:

• The intent in transition would be to ask for a written agreement from the centers that they will participate in the transition process during 2012 prior to releasing any 2012 funds.

•The centers transition process would be rolled into the Mayor’s overall citywide Community Center discussion that she intends to take place in early 2012. This process will include a stakeholder team that will be compromised of community, youth, and senior centers as well as the three major funding providers (City General Fund, Community Development Block Grants, and Parks and Recreation), and the non profits that oversee many of the centers. The initial goal will be implementation of a new funding model in 2013.

•Additionally, nearly $60,000 has been added back into our other Recreation programs in order to make them more sustainable as compared to the first 2012 proposal. 

Specific Division Budget worksheets are available for all divisions as follows:

•Admin
•Golf 
•Park Ops
•Recreation
•Riverfront Park
•Urban Forestry

 Our budget reductions were made in areas where we have lost revenue and in areas that we are trying to increase cost recovery per Roadmap to the Future. That is why you see the majority of the reductions in Recreation and Riverfront.

Reforest Spokane Day

The Lands Council presents "Reforest Spokane Day"
Saturday, October 22nd from 9 a.m. to Noon

Volunteer sign ups are closed because more than 800 people have already volunteered! To get involved in future Lands Council projects, visit  landscouncil.org.

We look forward to the many benefits of planting 10,000 Ponderosa Pines, such as:
More areas of much-needed shade
Reduced traffic noise
A more beautiful Spokane

2012 Budget Timeline

Dwight Dash 5k and 10k

Dwight Dash 2011 Results

Click here for 5k results.

Click here for 10k results. 

Dwight Dash Information
The Dwight Dash is an annual 5k and 10k run/walk at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. Click here for more information about Dwight Merkel. 

2012 Adopted Budget

 Park Board members adopted the 2012 budget at their regular monthly meeting held Thusday, October 13, 2011.

2012 Adopted Budget

The following links contain the information Park Board members used in their deliberations regarding the 2012 department budget.

The documents below are viewable in Adobe PDF.

Proposed 2012 Budget - Large document may load slowly. After substantial discussion at the Park Board Finance Committee on October 11, 2011, members approved a motion that Alt. #1 be recommended to the full Board.

Summarizing Documents
 SUMMARY - Revised Recreation 2012 Budget Proposal - 9-22-2011
      Amended Preliminary Recreation Budget:
      • Summary of Center Reductions
      • Summary by REVEXP
      • Summary: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3

Special Park Board Meeting
Proposed 2012 Budget
2012 Budget Timeline

Budget Worksheets by Division

Admin Preliminary 2012 Budget
Golf Preliminary 2012 Budget
Park Ops Preliminary 2012 Budget
Recreation Preliminary 2012 Budget
Riverfront Park Preliminary Budget
UFTC Preliminary 2012 Budget

Other Documents
Finance Committee Minutes, September 6, 2011
Utilities
Category Percentages and Original 2012 Forecast
Debt Service Transfers Reserve
Interfund Charges
Spokane Park Board Budget Workshop Notes - September, 27, 2011

Dog Tricks

Teach Your Dog to Bow

Doggie Dip & Wash

Corporate Event, Family Reunion or Groups

NEYC Rent an Event, Outdoor Private-Guided Trips, Riverfront Park Group Events, Private Fitness Class Party, Aquatics Facility Rental, Parks, Picnic Shelters and Sports Fields

Aquatics Facility Rentals

  CALL 509.625.6960 to book today!
  EMAIL aquatics@spokanecity.org to book today!
  $350 - 0 to 150 People
  $500 - Over 150 People
We are pleased to offer our newly renovated facilities for private rentals. Rentals are available during the following times or by special appointment. Your  private rental includes exclusive use of one of six newly renovated aquatics centers located throughout the City of Spokane for two hours. Price also includes staffing of lifeguards and management. Perfect for corporate parties, family reunions, neighborhood get-togethers, and much more. Give us a call to book your private rental today.
Times for A.M. Cannon, Comstock, Hillyard, and Liberty Aquatic Centers:
M-F 8:30-10:30 PM
Saturday 9:30-1130AM; 7:30-9:30 PM
Sunday 9:30-11:30 AM; 5:30-7:30 PM.
Witter can be scheduled by appointment only.

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Outdoor Private-Guided Trips

Explore and enjoy nature with the Outdoor Recreation Program! Let us help you plan a private guided adventure for your family, friends, business or organization. Paddle kayaks and canoes on the Little Spokane River or surrounding lakes, bike the Centennial Trail, hike, and snowshoe and cross country ski Mt. Spokane, the possibilities are endless. Transportation, guides and equipment are included!
509.363.5418 or email rgriffith@spokanecity.org

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Riverfront Park Group Events

Company and Group Events are a blast at Riverfront Park with discounts for groups of 15 or more on many of the attractions!
509.625.6612 or click here for more information.

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Private Fitness Class Party

Get your group in shape with our private fitness classes and parties! Learn from our professional instructors; Zumba, Bollywood, Bellydance, Boot Camp, Personal Training, Yoga, Pilates, Strength, Balance, Self Defense, and much more. These private classes are great for teambuilding, fundraising, and kick-off events at your business or organization. All equipment and sound system supplied.
Call 509.363.5418 for more information.

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NEYC Rent an Event

Northeast Youth Center events are designed for company events and picnics to give the adults a little privacy while keeping the children entertained. They provide fun recreation activities for children and families.
Call 509.482.0708 or visit spokaneneyc.org

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Rent a Center

Do you have a center in mind that you'd like to rent? Some centers will be perfect for a a corporate meeting or luncheon - complete with Wi-Fi and hospitality staff. Others might be great for a family reunion, anniversary party or wedding. Browse centers here.

Parks, Picnic Shelters and Sports Fields

 Any of our beautiful parks can be a great location for a family reunion or corprate BBQ. For information on reserving a park or picnic shelter, click here.

To reserve a sports field for a corporate softball game or other activity, click here for information on field allocation.

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Birthday Party

Pool Party

Call 509.625.6960 or email aquatics@spokanecity.org to book today! 
$150, up to 15 kids
Come celebrate your birthday occasion and stay cool at the same time. We are pleased to offer birthday party packages at all of our newly renovated Aquatic Centers. Birthday party packages include the following items:
- Two hours use of "FUNbrella" 
- Tables and seating for up to 15 kids
- Birthday Ice Cream Cake from Ben & Jerry's
- Flatware, plates, and cups
- Pitchers of ice water
                                            - Snow Cones
                                            - Two hours of swimming included for up to 15 kids

Riverfront Park Birthday Packages

Click here or call 509.625.6612 to learn about Carrousel, IMAX Theater, Mini-Golf, Ice Palace and Day Pass birthday packages as low as $109 for 12 people. All Riverfront Park Birthday Party Packages include:
- A personalized Ice Cream Cake from Ben & Jerry’s
- Soft drinks and cups
- Napkins, plates and forks
- Balloons
                                           - Table Covers provided
                                           - Reserved party area (for one hour)
                                            - And a hospitality helper!
                                            - Ask about adding pizza to this package

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Corbin Kids Art Party

Call 509.625.6677 to book today!
$89 for 0-10 kids, $5 per additional kid, maximum 15 kids
Corbin Kids Art Parties can be customized by theme and different art projects can be accomplished depending on your interests. Party goers can become princes and princesses, go on treasure hunts or use a theme you've discovered.
Parties Include:
-Approximately three themed crafts  
-All supplies, instruction, set up and clean up of crafts
-Crafts and activities will be planned for most of party
-The last half hour is for any refreshments you wish to provide
                                             -Parties last 2-3 hours

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Corbin Kids Scavenger Hunt Party

Call 509.625.6677 to book today!
$89 for 0-10 kids, $5 per additional kid, maximum 15 kids
If your party guests are curious, energetic and clever, the Corbin Kids Scavenger Hunt Party will be the perfect birthday party!
-Scavenger hunt design, set up and clean up included
-Activities and scavenger hunt for most of party
-The last half hour is for any refreshments you wish to provide.

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Guided Adventure Party

Call 509.363.5418 or email rgriffith@spokancity.org to create a unique birthday adventure!
Private Trips and Parties start as low as $179. Call to get your private trip quote!
Explore and enjoy nature with the Outdoor Recreation Program! Let us help you plan a private guided adventure for your family, friends, business or organization.
Examples of Options:
-Paddle kayaks and canoes on the Little Spokane River or surrounding lakes,
-Bike the Centennial Trail
-Hike, snowshoe and cross country ski Mt. Spokane
 
All trips include:
-Transportation
-All equipment
-Experienced guides

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Private Fitness Class Party

Call 509.363.5418 to book your healthy, heart-pumping birthday party.
Get your group in shape with a custom fitness party! Pick from a variety of styles, all taught by our professional instructors, including Zumba, Bollywood, Bellydance, Boot Camp, Personal Training, Yoga, Pilates, Strength training, Balance work, Self Defense and more! All equipment is provided.
Here are a few ideas:
-Imagine Yoga in the park with all your friends, then head out to an Indian restaurant for birthday dinner.
-Try Self Defense class followed by watching the Karate Kid with your best buds.  
-Take Zumba, then bring your moves out to the dance floor of your favorite club.

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2011 Spokane Concert Series

Find a Concert Here:

Audubon Park
Manito Park
Concerts in Adjoining Regions
Coeur d'Alene City Park
Downtown Coeur d'Alene
Riverstone Park
Hayden
Rathdrum
Deer Park

Audubon Park Concert Series: “Concerts under the Pines”

July 14^th– Sidetrack (Six-Piece Rock & Country)
July 28^th– Men of Rhythm (Big Band Classic ‘40’s & ‘50’s)
August 11^th– The DogHouse Boyz (Original Blues Rock Band)
August 25^th– Spokane Youth Symphony (Youth Orchestra)  

Time: Every other Thursday from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Audubon Park at 3405 N. Milton St. (W. Northwest Blvd. & N. Audubon)
Concerts are every other Thursday through August 25
Sponsored by the Northwest Neighborhood Association

Manito Park: Park Bench Café Concert Series

June 3^rd– Summer Preview (3 Diverse Musical Artists)
June 10^th– Donnie & Nancy Emerson
June 17^th– Paul Grove
June 24^th– Michael & Keleren Millham
July 1^st– Union Street
July 8^th– Paul Grove
July 15^th– Just Plain Darin
July 22^nd– Trailer Park Girls (Acoustic)
July 29^th– Maxie Ray Mills
August 5^th– Michael & Keleren Millham
August 12^th– Just Plain Darin
August 19^th– Maxie Ray Mills
August 26^th– Donnie & Nancy Emerson

Time: Fridays: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Location: Park Bench Café located in the heart of Manito Park.
Concerts are every Friday through August 26^th.
Special Notes: Food, Beer and Wine available.
For More Information: (509) 625-6632

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2011 Concert Series in Adjoining Regions

The Coeur d’Alene Park City Park Concert Series in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

June 5^th– Custer’s Grass Band (Bluegrass)
June 12^th– Free Whiskey (Rockin’ Irish)
June 19^th– 6 Foot Swing (20’s-40’s Swing / Jump Blues)
July 3^rd– Nu Jack City (Motown / Soul / Funk)
July 10^th– The Ryan Larsen Band (Country / Rock)
July 24^th– BRAM BRATA (Youth Steel Drum Orchestra)
July 31^st– Tuxedo Junction Big Band (Big Band Swing Orchestra)
August 14^th– The Pat Coast Band (Blues / Rock)
August 22^nd– The Rhythm Dawgs (Rock n’ Roll / Top 40)

Time – Sundays: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Rotary Lakeside Bandshell – Coeur d’Alene City Park
Concerts are on Sundays through August 22^nd.
In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved to the Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza located on Third Street and Sherman Avenue in Downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Sponsored by Handshake Productions

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The Downtown Coeur d’Alene Concert Series in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

June 28^th– Dixie Dandies (Dixieland Jazz / 30’s & 40’s Hits)
July 5^th– Native Sun (Rock ‘n Roll / Country-Western)
July 12^th– Floating Crowbar (Irish / Celtic)
July 19^th– Motorboat (Rock n’ Roll / Yesterday & Today)
July 26^th– Masterclass Jazz Orchestra (Big Band Swing & Jazz Orchestra)
August 2^nd– The Fat Tones (Rockin’ Blues)
August 9^th– Southern Comfort Band (Country-Western / Country-Rock)
August 16^th– Coeurimba (African Rhythms on Marimbas)
August 23^rd– Meet Revolver (Beatles Tribute – The Early Years)

Time – Tuesdays: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Sherman Square Park located on 316 Sherman Ave.
Concerts are on Tuesdays through August 23^rd.
In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved to the Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza located on Third Street and Sherman Avenue in Downtown Coeur d’Alene.
Sponsored by Handshake Productions

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The Riverstone Park Concert Series

July 7^th– Pat Coast Band (Rock n’ Roll)
July 14^th– Kathy Colton & the Reluctants (Folk)
July 21^st– Which Doctors (Eclectic)
July 28^th– Ruth Pratt (Music from the Great American Songbook)
August 4^th– Common Ground (Contemporary)
August 11^th– Borderline (Country / Western)
August 18^th– Panhandle Polecats (Bluegrass)
August 25^th– Northwest Jazz (Large Jazz Group)  

Time – Thursdays: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Riverstone Park in Idaho
Concerts are on Thursdays through August 25^th.
Sponsored by Coeur d’Alene Arts & Culture Alliance

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The Hayden Concert Series

July 6^th– Couer d’Alene Big Band (Big Band Swing Orchestra)
July 13^th– Plastic Saints (Rock ‘n Roll / 60’s to Current)
July 20^th– Generations (Tribute to Chicago and Blood, Sweat, & Tears)
July 27^th– Loose Cannon (Rhythm & Blues)
August 3^rd– Nu Jack City (Motown / Soul / Funk)  

Time: Wednesdays: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Hayden City Park (Behind Hayden City Hall)
Address: 8930 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID
Concerts are on Wednesdays through August 3^rd.
Sponsored by Handshake Productions

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The Rathdrum Concert Series

July 22^nd– 5 Mor (Smooth Jazz / Swing Era Classics)
July 29^th– County Line (County-Rock)
August 5^th– Cruise Control (50’s & 60’s Rock ‘n Roll)
August 12^th– Big Mumbo Blues Band (Blues w/ a Feelin’)

Time: Fridays: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Rathdrum City Park on Highway 53 and Latah Rd (1 Mile West of the Junction of Hwy. 53 @ Hwy. 41 Junction)
Concerts are on Fridays through August 12^th.
Sponsored by Handshake Productions

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The Deer Park Concert Series

June 25^th– Steel Drum Band
July 2^nd– Stagecoach West Show (Country / Western) w/ The Dukes Classic Car Show
July 9^th– Elvis Show (Rock n’ Roll)
July 16^th– Loose Cannon (Rhythm & Blues / Rock ‘n Roll)
July 23^rd– Shane Remmiler (Country)
July 30^th– Big Red Barn (Bluegrass Band)  

Time: Saturdays: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Earl D. Mix Park on 4^thStand Northwest Ave. in Deer Park, Washington
Concerts are on Saturdays through July 30^th.
Sponsored by the City of Deer Park

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Mr. Dwight Merkel FAQ

Q: Who was Dwight Merkel?

A: Dwight Merkel was one of Spokane’s most influential figures in the development of athletic competition for children. Despite having died at the young age of 55, Merkel was the guiding force behind the Spokane Youth Sports Association, where he served for 31 years. Merkel leaves behind a legacy of commitment to community and athletic opportunity for all children. > Read More.

The First Tee Inland Northwest

Launch of First Tee program, Inland Northwest Chapter on June 14

First Tee is dedicated to helping all children in the community regardless of where they live, what their background is or their ability to pay, an opportunity to play golf and learn important life skills. Scholarships are available. The program has launched in Spokane with students at Grant School playing at the Creek at Qualchan. The dedication ceremony featured Mayor Mary Verner getting a golf lesson from one of the First Tee students. The First Tee Inland Northwest website has information on upcoming July series of classes.

A Word from Ron McKay

Board Member and Vice President

First Tee of the Inland Northwest

"The importance of working with the City to accomplish common goals. We are extremely pleased to have a solid working relationship with Qualchan, the Parks Board, the Mayor’s office and the School Board. It is extremely important as our demands increase that we be able to achieve the changes we all agree on in our efforts to earn the strong reputation that First Tee has nationally. We look forward to being able to expand our program to other courses to reach children we can’t reach now because of transportation issues or full classes. We are dedicated to helping all children in the community regardless of where they live, what their background is or their ability to pay."

Win Big!

WIN BIG! with Spokane Parks & Recreation

We are launching “Win Big,” a contest that we hope will get people out and about, accessing the resources right in our own backyard, and Win Big prizes while doing it.

Participation in the contest is simple. Collect clues and trivia & win BIG prizes!

All you have to do is "Like" and follow Spokane Parks and Rec. on Facebook.

Check in often for details on clues and trivia.

Follow the online clues (posted every Friday) to the specified location and take a picture of yourself there doing your best “thumbs up,” or, answer the correlating trivia question correctly (posted every Monday following the post of the clues).

Save the six "thumbs up" pictures and/or trivia answers to qualify for the grand prize drawing, which will take place September 24th.

Prizes include a mountain bike, a guitar and amp, a kayak, iPads, a $500 gift certificate to the Kitchen Engine, and much more! Be sure to share with friends and family how they can Win Big too!

Additional details and the official rules, below.

*This offer is not available to employees and volunteers of Spokane Parks and Recreation.

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“Win Big” Contest Rules/Guidelines

1. Clues will be given out on the Spokane Parks and Recreation Facebook fan page every Friday morning starting August 12. Participants will find the clue on the Facebook page and will then find the specified location where they will take a picture at the location and give their best “thumbs up” pose. This will repeat weekly with each new clue. Alternative trivia questions, that do not require photos at any location, will follow every Monday starting August 15. Participants who choose to answer trivia instead of use the clues to take photos will save a list of all their answers to each weekly trivia question. There will be 6 clues/trivia questions total. Save all six of your photos/trivia answers until the end of the contest.

2. To win, each participant must:
a. Have all pictures correctly correlating with each of the clues; or all correct answers to each trivia question; or a combination of both from each related clue/trivia question.
b. Be physically present with all the required materials on the day of the grand prize giveaway in front of the clock tower at Riverfront Park. Participants should arrive at 1:30 PM and the drawing will take place promptly at 2:00 PM.

3. All participants who complete the above requirements will be entered into the grand prize drawing. Winners will be drawn at random and the drawing will be live.

4. If a willing participant is unable to collect photos related to the given clues or is unable to access Facebook to answer the given trivia questions, he/she may complete an official form to enter the drawing. No participation necessary. Must be present on the day of the grand prize giveaway at the designated time and location to win. Click here for alternative entry information.

Contest Terms and Conditions

1. Entrants must send/obtain/answer entries as required in the contest announcement in order to be eligible. Entries received after the deadline set forth in the contest announcement are ineligible, null, and void. Spokane Parks and Recreation will not be responsible for and will not consider incomplete or incorrect entries. Spokane Parks and Recreation is not responsible for entries that are sent but not received by Spokane Parks and Recreation for any reason.

2. In order to be a winner, participants must be present on the day of the grand prize giveaway. Failure to be present at the designated giveaway location the given date shall mean that the participant forfeits the prize.

3. Only one entry per person will be considered for contest entry.

4. All photos, drawings, text, and any other content or information (collectively and severally) submitted by you to Spokane Parks and Recreation shall become the sole and exclusive property of Spokane Parks and Recreation, and Spokane Parks and Recreation shall have no obligation to preserve, return, or otherwise make available to you or others any Materials.

Spokane Parks and Recreation may use, reproduce, edit, display, transmit, prepare derivative works of, modify, publish, and otherwise make use of Materials in any and all media, whether now known or hereinafter created‚ all throughout the world and for any purpose‚ all without compensation to you of any kind.

5. By submitting materials to Spokane Parks and Recreation, you represent and warrant that the materials do not infringe any copyright, trademark, property rights, rights of privacy or publicity of any person, or any other right of any third party and that you have the full and unrestricted right to transfer the materials to Spokane Parks and Recreation free and clear of any claims or encumbrances.

6. You acknowledge and agree that Spokane Parks and Recreation shall have no obligation to post, display, or otherwise make publicly available any materials submitted by you.

7. You acknowledge and agree that materials submitted by you may be made available by Spokane Parks and Recreation for viewing, rating, reviewing, and commenting by the public. You acknowledge that comments or ratings that you disagree with or are unhappy about may be published or otherwise become associated with materials that you submit to Spokane Parks and Recreation. By submitting materials to Spokane Parks and Recreation, you waive any privacy expectations that you may have with respect to the materials.

8. You agree to hold Spokane Parks and Recreation and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns harmless from and against‚ and hereby waive any right to pursue‚ any claims of any nature arising in connection with Spokane Parks and Recreation‚ use of the materials submitted to Spokane Parks and Recreation and used in any manner in Spokane Parks and Recreation, sole and absolute discretion.

9. Contests involving evaluations of materials submitted as part of the contest will be judged entirely in the sole and absolute discretion of Spokane Parks and Recreation. Decisions by Spokane Parks and Recreation are final.

10. All entrants and winners must be at least 18 years of age.

11. Winners may not request substitutions of prize winnings. All winners are solely responsible for any and all taxes and/or fees as well as all additional costs that may be incurred.

12. Neither Spokane Parks and Recreation nor its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, or assigns shall be liable for any warranty, costs, damage, injury, or any other claims incurred as a result of the usage of a prize by any winner. Spokane Parks and Recreation is not liable for any loss arising out of or in connection with any contest promoted by Spokane Parks and Recreation.

13. If the specified prize becomes unavailable for any reason, Spokane Parks and Recreation, in its sole and absolute discretion, may substitute a prize of like or equal value.

14. A contest is null and void in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law.

15. Spokane Parks and Recreation reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to terminate any contest at any time without prior notice.

16. Spokane Parks and Recreation reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to alter any contest rules at any time.

17. By entering a contest, you conclusively are deemed to have agreed to be bound by these contest rules and terms and conditions as well as by any rules specific to such contest. This is an irrevocable condition of entry.

18. In contests in which winners are picked at random, the odds of winning depend upon the number of entries received and cannot be determined in advance.

19. No purchase or payment of any consideration is necessary to enter the contest.

20. Each contest will state a deadline for entry and the date when the winner(s) will be announced. A list of winner(s) may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped (first-class postage) envelope to Spokane Parks and Recreation and requesting the list.

21. Spokane Parks and Recreation reserves the right to condition the award of prizes upon the execution by the winner(s) of a publicity release. Notwithstanding this reserved right, entry is conclusively deemed to be permission by the entrant to use the entrant’s name (without compensation to the entrant) if the entrant is a winner to publicize the contest and otherwise, as determined by Spokane Parks and Recreation, unless prohibited by law.

22. Spokane Parks and Recreation reserves the right to require the winner to execute an affidavit of eligibility as a sworn document and provide other proof of eligibility as a condition of receipt of the prize or award.

23. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
Your information will not be provided to Facebook.


NOW GET OUT... & WIN BIG!

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Sponsored Youth Aquatic Pass

The mission of the Make a Splash Campaign is to provide quality recreational activities for local low-income families. Summer swimming is a great way to keep kids off of the street and involved in healthy activity. Through generous donations from the community, the Make a Splash Campaign has been able to distribute over 1,000 swim passes to local youth. Donations have also been allocated towards scholarships for swim lessons which are invaluable to a child's development. However, there are still more kids in need of assistance and donations are greatly appreciated. Your donation to help kids makes a positive change directly in our own community in developing the youth of our city.

Click here to donate to the Make-A-Splash Project*

2012 SPONSORED YOUTH PASSES

*Passes and Applications will not be available until June 1st.

 The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department has partnered with the Spokane Parks Foundation, Salvation Army and the Make-A-Splash Project to provide free swim passes to youth in need ages 4-17. These passes are valid at ALL SIX City of Spokane Aquatic Centers for the 2012 Summer Season. To obtain a sponsored youth pass, follow the steps below:

1.) Visit the Salvation Army at 222 E Indiana. (See hours below)
2.) Ask for an application. Complete application and self-declare income.
3.) Submit application. Upon approval, you will be given a pass
 

PLEASE NOTE: Children 10 & Under MUST be accompanied at the pool by a paying adult.

Salvation Army Community Services
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (Not Wednesdays) 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For questions or comments, please contact the Salvation Army at 509.325.6821 or the Parks Foundation at 509.326.5233

Aquatics Contacts 2011 (NOT PUBLIC)

The following information is for internal use only.

Thank you for your help!

Your opinion is valuable and we appreciate your time. Thank you for completing our survey.

Stay in touch with updates on class openings, new activities, special events and more.

Join us on Facebook, Sign up for an e-Newsletter, Follow us on Twitter and get Text Message alerts.

Bridge Walk

Bridge Walk is an opportunity to walk, talk and take in the views and bridges of the Spokane River. Participants will walk a relaxed 4.5 mile loop that crosses seventeen bridges in the heart of Spokane. Starting at the historical Monroe Street Bridge, you will make your way through Riverfront Park at your own pace and end at the Rotary Riverfront Fountain. Enjoy this easy-going walk full of fresh air and spectacular views of Spokane. Proceeds from the walk will go towards benefiting Spokane Parks and Recreation Programs. 

Participants will receive a memorabilia pin, featuring this year's featured bridge, the "YMCA Wooden Bridges,” along with a chance to experience one of Spokane's most beautiful natural wonders.

2009 Bridge Walk	2010 Bridge Walk	2011 Bridge Walk
Monroe Street Bridge	Post Street Bridge	North Folk Bridges

2011 Sponsors

Merkel Complex FAQ

Where is the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex?

5701 N. Assembly, adjacent to Joe Albi Stadium.

How big is the complex?

Approximately 80 acres.

Who was Dwight Merkel?

Dwight Merkel was one of Spokane’s most influential figures in the development of athletic competition for children. Despite having died at the young age of 55, Merkel was the guiding force behind the Spokane Youth Sports Association, where he served for 31 years. Merkel leaves behind a legacy of commitment to community and athletic opportunity for all children. Read more.

What activities are available at the Merkel Complex?

 Soccer

 Softball

 Youth Baseball

 Skate Park

 BMX Track

 Flag Football

 Ultimate Frisbee

 Neighborhood Park with Playground and Splash Pad

 Paved perimeter trail, plus an unpaved hiking trail approximately 1-mile long that leads down to Riverside State Park’s trails and offers outstanding views of the Spokane River

How much did the Merkel Complex cost and how was it funded?

The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex was constructed using $7 million from the 2007 City of Spokane Parks Improvement Bond along with $4 million from the sale of park property that was approved by City voters in 1999 and subsequently held in reserve.

 - Softball/Baseball Games/Practice times are set at 1 ½ hour increments.

- Fees include ball field prep for first and fourth game of the day.

- Practice fees are the same as game fees.

- Per hour fees can be prorated to 1/4 hour.

- Discounts available for renting 200 hours or more.

How were these fees determined?

We know we have to balance what our local market can bare with what it costs to operate this facility. The fees were determined by Spokane Parks and Recreation staff, the Park Board and input from user groups in the community. After researching fees at similar facilities throughout Washington and considering the operational costs of the fields, the user fees were developed and approved by the Park Board.

How can I find more information about reserving the facility?

To reserve practice, game or tournament space, contact Callie Byrne at cbyrne@spokanecity.org or 509.625.6960.

Who does the scheduling for City run sports?

Adriano Eva, who can be contacted at aeva@spokanecity.org or 509.625.6625.

When can the BMX Track be used?

Public Access to the BMX Track at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex is currently being limited to prevent over use until the dirt has further compacted.

Click here for the current schedule for access and races. 

What information can you provide about the new trails?

There are two new trails at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. The completed trail is the Riverside State Park connector trail that links from the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex to Riverside State Park's trail system and the Spokane River. This unpaved trail is approximately 1-mile long with outstanding views of the Spokane River - perfect for mountain biking, hiking, trail running or walking your dog. In addition, there is an as yet to be constructed 5K (3.1 mile) "life sports" trail that will encircle the entire Merkel complex and Joe Albi Stadium and connect to the trail going down to Riverside State Park. It will be designed to allow neighbors and visitors to bike, run and walk without navigating through parking lots, playing fields, etc.

When are the sprinklers scheduled to go on and can that schedule be changed?

The sprinkler system is designed to start at about 11pm and run all night, from zone to zone to zone, in order to water the entire complex during the night and early morning hours. Due to the size of the complex, the design of the irrigation system and the available water, we have limited flexibility in our watering schedule at this

time. However, as time at the complex progresses and if we can adjust to water less, we will and we will try and have the watering done as early as possible.

Who designed the artwork?

Artist David Govedare created two sculptures 16 feet above ground, with the main body constructed of steel hoops mimicking movement. Govedare has been creating public artworks for the past 35 years, including the notable piece, The Joy of Running Together, located in Riverfront Park.

Arbor Day Celebration 2012

John A. Finch Arboretum

Saturday, April 28, 2012
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Come on out and bring the whole family to an Arbor Day fun-filled event! Free activities include crafts and booths. In addition, children can help plant a special 'Flower Garden.'

In addition to the following participants, Master Composters will be there to answer questions and give away free compost bins!

Arbor Day Celebration Participants

Associated Garden Clubs of Spokane
Citizen Advisory Committee (Urban Forestry)
Corbin Art Center
Community Canopy
Federated Garden Clubs
Idaho Forest Products Commission
Inland NW Arborist Association
Land's Council
Northeast Youth Center
Plant-A-Row for the Hungry - 2nd Harvest
Regional Solid Waste - Master Composters
Spokane Community College
Spokane County Conservation District
Spokane Floral
Spokane Lilac Society
Spokane Parks and Recreation
Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency
Sustainable Works
Urban Forestry
WSU Master Gardeners
Sierra Club
Finch Conservators  

Directions to Finch Arboretum: 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. Spokane, WA 99224

Click here to view map.

Approaching from the East (downtown Spokane), go West on 2nd Ave to Sunset Highway. Continue West on Sunset Highway past Government Way to just before 'F' Street. The sign and entranace to the Arboretum are located on the left-hand (South) side of Sunset Highway.

Approaching from the West, exit I-90 at Garden Springs. Head East down the Sunset Highway to the intersection with 'F' Street. Just past 'F' Street is the entrance to the Arboretum. The entranace sign is on the right-hand (South) side of Sunset Highway.

Edwidge Woldson Park Dedication

You're invited to the Edwidge Woldson Park dedication on Friday, May 13 at 2 p.m.
Click here to view the invitation.

Finance Committee

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

The Finance Committee meets at:
3 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room 5A
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, Washington 99201

Finance Agendas

2012-01-10 Agenda & Attachments

2012-02-07 Agenda & Attachments

2012-03-06 Agenda & Attachments

2012-04-10 Agenda & Attachments

2012-05-08 Agenda & Attachments

Finance Minutes

2012-01-10 Minutes

2012-02-07 Minutes

2012-03-06 Minutes

2012-04-10 Minutes

2012-05-08 Minutes

For previous year, click here.

Aquatics Facility Rentals

BOOK TODAY! 509.363.5417 or Aquatics@spokanecity.org

PRIVATE FACILITY RENTAL

CALL 509.363.5417 to book today!

EMAIL aquatics@spokanecity.org to book today!

$350 - 0 to 150 People

$500 - Over 150 People

We are pleased to offer our newly renovated facilities for private rentals. Rentals are available during the following times or by special appointment. Your  private rental includes exclusive use of one of six newly renovated aquatics centers located throughout the City of Spokane for (2) hours. Price also includes staffing of lifeguards and management. Perfect for corporate parties, family reunions, neighborhood get-togethers, and much more. Give us a call to book your private rental today..

Youth Baseball Fields FAQ

Construction has now been completed on nine new or improved youth baseball fields funded by the 2007 City of Spokane Parks Improvement Bond.

“We believe strongly in helping our kids be active and healthy,” says Leroy Eadie, Spokane Parks & Recreation Department Director. “I’m looking forward to seeing the first youth baseball games played on the new fields and knowing how the players feel about having brand new outfield grass, infields, dugouts, pitching mounds, and backstops.  I believe we’re going to be seeing some smiling faces.”

Money in the Bond was specifically earmarked for youth baseball. How is that money being spent?

The City of Spokane and the Parks and Recreation Department budgeted $3 million of the 2007 Parks Improvement Bond to convert nine general use softball/baseball fields into youth baseball fields. These nine fields will be designated for youth baseball and are located in each of the three City Council Districts.

Where are the fields located?

The fields are spread throughout the City, allowing easier access for all youth baseball participants. There are two new youth baseball fields at Underhill Park, one at Liberty Park, three at Chief Garry Park, two at B.A. Clark Park, and one at the new Dwight Merkel Sports Complex.

When will these fields be ready for play?

The new youth baseball fields will be available for use as soon as the new turf is strong enough to withstand regular play.  SPRD has hired a new Athletic Field and Facility Maintenance Supervisor, Aaron Champagne, who has extensive turf background and will be able to determine when these fields should come on line. In the meantime, youth baseball has access to the new Dwight Merkel Softball and the Franklin Park Complexes.

What is happening with agreements regarding Franklin Park and the Southeast Complex?

In addition to Merkel Sports Complex, Spokane Parks and Recreation Department is now managing and scheduling Franklin Park Softball, the Southeast Sports Complexes and all the other park department-owned softball/baseball fields within the city.

Where can I get updates on the progress of the projects?

City of Spokane Parks and Recreation wants to make sure that all interested parties and especially those who represent organized sports city-wide receive timely and accurate information.  To receive updates related to the development, use, scheduling and planning of athletic fields, including field allocation policies and procedures please send an email to ngoodspeed@spokanecity.org  to be added to our update distribution list.

Get Lit! 2011

Get Lit! Festival Workshops – April 16, 2011

Presented by Eastern Washington University and the Corbin Art Center, a program of the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, Get Lit! Festival workshops will be held during the 13th annual festival, April 13-17. General admission is $30, $20 for students. A series of 12 workshops will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at the EWU Riverpoint Campus in two sessions. 

Workshop registration is available online. For more details on these workshops or other festival events, visit the Get Lit! website or call the Get Lit! Programs office at 509.359.6977.

Session 1 | 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m

Mining your Family History for Stories with Julie Otsuka
Edit like a Pro with Gretchen Stelter and Henry Covey
The Zine Scene with Julia Lipscomb
Poems as Portraits with Lowell Jaeger
The Second Draft of History with Jack Hamann
Putting Pen to Paper for Educators

Session 2 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Conflict: The Key to Drama with Nancy Rawles
Writing Off the Page with Nance Van Winckel
Sneaking Past the Dragons with Ruth McLaughlin
Developing Your Blogging Style
Nitro Nonfiction: How to Write and Teach Dynamic Nonfiction
Igniting the Inner Reader: Write Your Way into a Reading Culture for Educators
 

FAQ

About Us

Former YMCA Demolition

Merkel Complex

Mr. Dwight Merkel

Youth Baseball

What a dog park is, and is not.

Please share this information with your friends.

This information comes from Carol Byrnes, SpokAnimal’s dog training expert, and will appear in SpokAnimal’s member news letter. It is used here with the permission of SpokAnimal.

When you envision a dog park, what do you picture in your mind’s eye?  Your dogs running free of the confines of their leashes?  Meeting up with their dog friends where they can race the wind and play and be dogs.  A place where they can sniff for squirrels and roll in the dirt and get some much needed exercise?

What a Dog Park Is

Do you picture a place where you and your dog can play ball or frisbee without breaking leash laws and risking a fine for being off-leash in a City park?  A place where you and your dog can hike trails, practice coming when called and working around distractions?  A place where you can enjoy the company of other dog lovers?  This is what a dog park should be - smiling dogs and owners having fun together.

What a Dog Park Is Not

Here is where dog parks sometimes go wrong.  People bring dogs with social issues there to “get over their issues” and then well-socialized friendly dogs have bad experiences and become defensive around other dogs.  Dog park dogs who practice the wrong things get worse instead of better.  People often bring fearful dogs to the park to help them learn that other dogs are safe - and the two collide, literally.

Not All Dog Owners Can Read Dog Body Language 

They don’t recognize when a dangerous situation is brewing, so they can’t judge when to call their dogs out.  Often they think things are going poorly when things are actually going well.  Not all owners have trained their dogs.  They can’t call their dogs out of a tricky situation, let alone when it’s time to go home.

People get chatting with their friends or texting or talking on their cell phones and don’t pay attention.  Dogs get in trouble like unsupervised kids.  Pooping goes unnoticed and the people don’t pick up after them.Dogs who visit the dog park should be friendly, dog-savvy and well socialized with people and dogs.  They should enjoy the company of dogs, not just tolerate it.  They should be trained.  At a minimum, they should come when called - joyfully, and the first time.

Dogs who visit the dog park should not be aggressive to dogs or people or possessive of toys, food, or proximity to their owners.  If your dog has been kicked out of dog daycare, he doesn’t belong at the dog park either.

Dog Owners Who Visit The Dog Park Should Be Friendly And Well Socialized

They should be alert to their dogs’ whereabouts and behavior at all times. Owners should be able to call their dog back if a dispute should arise or if their dog’s play style is at the expense of other dogs’ comfort zone. Owners also should be able to recognize when play gets carried away or becomes bullying.

Dog owners should not stand in tight bunches ignoring their dogs.  They should never encourage or condone play fighting, high arousal wrestling or bullying.Owners also should not allow children to run, squeal, chase or roughhouse while the dogs are playing.

Tips for a good dog experience

-Watch from the outside before you go in.  Are these dogs your dog should play with?  If not, try again another day

-Wait for the pass-through area to clear before you enter. 

-Once inside, move away from the entry gate, calm your dog before unsnapping the leash and have him wait for a release to go play so he isn’t straining against his collar in a high state of arousal or barking when you let him go.

-Think of the park as a place to go for a walk.  Don’t stand and chat; walk and visit.  Keep moving

-Stay in contact with your dog, call often and praise lavishly and then send him off to run again.

-Respect that your dog may not want to play with every dog.  If his tail drops and his ears flip back and he avoids a dog, help him out.  Move to a different part of the park or body block - step between him and another dog’s unwanted advances

A Final Word

The dog park is not the best place for all dogs.  If your dog skirts the edges, avoids the other dogs, and can’t wait to go home, he may not be a “dog park dog” no matter how much you’d like him to be.  Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs need dog friends to be fulfilled.  Most of all, your dog needs you.  Find a quiet corner of the park where you can enjoy each other’s company away from the other dog activity, or go to an on-leash park where dogs won’t interrupt your dog’s enjoyment of his walk with you.

Mirror Pond Renovation

BE A PART OF THE FUTURE

DONATE TO MIRROR POND RENOVATION 

Mirror Pond has been a permanent part of the geology of Manito Park even before it was a park.  Originally, it was much larger and known a Mirror Lake, at least during part of the year, extending to what is now Grand Boulevard.  Early pictures of Manito show people ice skating on it.  You may have fondly called it the “Duck Pond.”  Renovation is now needed because over the years the duck population has grown dramatically and there are water quality issues.

How can you help?
Funding to accomplish the Mirror Pond renovations will come from grants and donations which are being collected by The Friends of Manito.  For more information:
Telephone: 509.456.8038
email: tfm@thefriendsofmanito.org
Address: 
The Friends of Manito
4 West 21st Ave
Spokane, WA 99203

Design for the renovation of Mirror Pond was funded by $50,000 grant from The Friends of Manito (TFM) in 2007.  This master plan is now complete and shows progress in four phases:

-The first phase covers installing a pump, equipment to add dissolved oxygen to the water, a pond water level control device, and connecting pipes.  Water savings will be accomplished by recycling pond water and shutting down supplemental city water when evaporated water is replaced rather than having the excess flow into the storm sewer system.

-The second phase covers shoreline renovation and landscaping.
-Phases three and four add water features on the north and south hills. 

The goals of the entire design are to stabilize the pond edge, create a paved path loop around the pond, add emergent plants and other shoreline vegetation to improve aquatic, wildlife habitat, improve the health and clarity of the pond water, create natural appearing waterfalls and improve the aesthetics of the landscape. 

2010 Sponsors

2010 - REI

- REI's generous donation of youth cross country skiing equipment will help Spokane Parks and Recreation provide affordable recreation for our youth. Last year our cross country ski program introduced over 350 youth to Nordic Skiing! REI's shared commitment to helping the youth in our community is sincerely appreciated.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

   

 

 

2010 - Downtown Spokane Partnership

- The Downtown Spokane Partnership stepped forward with a $3,000 donation to replace all of the lights and cords on Riverfront Park’s traditional Holiday Tree. The equipment and more than 20-hours of difficult and cold labor to restring the 30,000 lights was provided by the City’s Urban Forestry staff.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

2010 - Make a Splash

High Dive Donors: - Avista Foundation - Northwest Orthopedic Specialists PS - Emmanuel Presbyterian Church - Spokane City Firefighters Union Local 29 - Greenstone Homes - Pierce Trust Fund - Sterling Bank - Nelson, Roy & Leona Foundation - Cameron Reilly, LLC - Numerica Credit Union

Springboard Donors: - South Hill Kiwanis - Spokane Suburban North Lions Club - Wood, Elaine - Mission Community Presbyterian Church - West Spokane Kiwanis Club - Endress, Sam - Downtown Rotary 21 Club - Corrick, William & Cynthia - Dishman Dodge Chrysler - Fratini, Daniel - Jewett, Betsy - Spokane Police Guild - Spokane Shadle Lions Club - Wright, Lawrence & Mary - Rotary Community Services

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  

 

2010 - Spokane Parks Foundation

  - Scholarships for IMAX school groups, swim lessons and Northeast Youth Center programs

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

2010 - Riverfront Park's 4th of July Celebration

- Larry H. Miller Automotive

- KXLY Broadcast Group

- The INLANDER

- North by Northwest

- Cassel Promotions

- The City of Spokane

- Numerica Credit Union

- The Tea Party of Spokane

- The Guitar Center

- Silhouette Lights and Staging

- REIT Productions

- Lawton Printing

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

 

Spokane Parks and Recreation affiliates itself with a number of community and senior centers to deliver a variety of programs benefiting young children and older adults.  We greatly appreciate our relationship with these centers:
Corbin Senior Activity Center
East Central Community Center
Hillyard Senior Center
Mid-City Concerns Senior Center
Northeast Youth Center
Peaceful Valley Community Center
Sinto Senior Activity Center
Southside Senior Activity & Community Center
West Central Community Center

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The parks department has a variety of opportunities for citizens and businesses to offer support of Park Department programs. For more information, please email or call 509.625.6200. 

2009 Sponsors

2009 - Sponsorship of Free Swim days and passes for kids:
  -  Spokane Fire Fighters Local 29
  -  Local Telecom Pioneers
  -  Spokane Auto Row
  -  Spokane Shadle Lions Club
  -  Roen Associates Inc.
  -  Rotary Club of Spokane North
  -  Anonymous
  -  Many individual donor gifts

2009 - Recreation
  -  National Recreation and Parks Association - archery equipment for youth
  -  Rogers High School Girls Cross Country Team - in-kind timing service for Sekani Trail Run
  -  Employees Recycling Program - Therapeutic Recreation ski program jackets
  -  Alliance Door Products LLC - to repair snow Chalet break-in damage
  -  Jack & Helen Leighton - for Therapeutic Recreation programs

Spokane Parks and Recreation affiliates itself with a number of community and senior centers to deliver a variety of programs benefiting young children and older adults.  We greatly appreciate our relationship with these centers:
Corbin Senior Activity Center
East Central Community Center
Hillyard Senior Center
Mid-City Concerns Senior Center
Northeast Youth Center
Peaceful Valley Community Center
Sinto Senior Activity Center
Southside Senior Activity & Community Center
West Central Community Center

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The parks department has a variety of opportunities for citizens and businesses to offer support of Park Department programs. For more information, please email or call 509.625.6200.

Outdoor e-Newsletters

Former YMCA Building FAQ

The former YMCA building, which was built in 1965, is located on a nearly 40,000-square-foot site with 227 feet of frontage along the south bank of the Spokane River.

What is the current status of the project?
Demolition of the building began February 10, 2011, and by contract, must be competed in no more than 75 days. At the March 10th Park Board meeting board members voted to approve an additional $80,000 to the project to pay for removal of the unexpected amount of asbestos discovered as work began.  Approval was also given by the board to approve funds to demolish the adjacent former Fire Dispatch building which has not been used in years and which was not judged historically significant.  Removal of this small building will provide additional views of the river falls.

What is the budget for the entire project including demolition and restoration?
$1.3 million. 

What happens next?

Work is currently underway on the restoration design and that project will be bid in the near future.  The hope is to have restoration begin immediately after demolition ends and to have that completed by the end of the summer/early fall.

 To see more pictures, click here.

For more information, please contact Pamela McKinzie-Lewis at PMcKinzie@SpokaneCity.org or call 509.625.6200.

Committees

Select a committee for more information.

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

Park Board
Finance Committee
Golf Committee
Land Committee
Recreation Committee
Riverfront Park Committee
Urban Forestry Tree Committee

Riverfront Park Committee

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

Riverfront Park Committee meets at:
8 a.m. in City Hall, Council Briefing Room
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201

Riverfront Park Agendas

2012-01-09 Agenda

2012-01-30 Agenda

2012-02-27 Agenda

2012-04-02 Agenda

Riverfront Park Minutes

2012-01-09 Minutes

2012-01-30 Minutes

2012-02-27 Minutes

2012-04-02 Minutes

2012-04-30 Minutes (SPECIAL MEETING)

For previous year, click here.

Recreation Committee

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

The Recreation Committee meets at:
3:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room 2B
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, Washington 99201

Recreation Agendas and Associated Documents

2012-01-05 Agenda & Attachments

2012-02-02 Agenda & Attachments

2012-03-01 Agenda

2012-04-05 Agenda

2012-05-03 Agenda & Attachments

Recreation Minutes

2012-01-05 Minutes

2012-02-02 Minutes

2012-03-01 Minutes

2012-04-05 Minutes

For previous year, click here.

Land Committee

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

The Land Committee meets at:
3:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room 5A
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, Washington 99201

Land Agendas

2012-01-04 Agenda

2012-02-01 Agenda & Attachments

2012-02-29 Agenda

2012-04-04 Agenda & Attachments

2012-05-02 Agenda (SPECIAL MEETING)

Land Minutes

2012-01-04 Minutes

2012-02-01 Minutes

2012-02-29 Minutes

2012-04-04 Minutes

For previous year, click here.

Urban Forestry Tree Committee and Citizens Advisory Committee

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

Citizens Advisory Committee at 3:30 p.m.
Urban Forestry Tree Committee at 4:15 p.m.
Both in the Willow Room
Woodland Center, Finch Arboretum
Spokane, WA 99203

Urban Forestry Committee Agendas

2012-01-31 Agenda & Attachments

2012-01-03 Agenda & Attachments

2012-02-28 Agenda & Attachments

Urban Forestry Committee Minutes 

2012-01-03 Minutes

2012-01-31 Minutes

2012-01-31 Minutes - CAC

For previous year, click here.

Previous News Releases

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department posts news releases on a quarterly basis. All previous news releases are shown below.

4th Quarter 2011 - October through December

2011-12-30 Carrousel Closed temporarily
2011-12-22 Fitness Punch Cards Make Great Gifts
2011-12-20 Last Minute Gifts Offer Long Term Well Being
2011-12-19 Take a Break from Shopping - December Activities in Riverfront Park
2011-12-19 Lowest Price of the Season - Aquatics Passes Make Great Gifts
2011-12-1 Holiday Lights Display in the Manito Park Conservatory Opens December 9
2011-11-29 Therapeutic Rec and Disney-Pixar Skating Event
2011-11-23 Occupy Spokane Transient Permit Not Extended
2011-11-21 Polar Express Returns to the GIANT SCREEN IMAX in Riverfront Park
2011-11-21 Thanksgiving Hours - Riverfront Park
2011-11-17 Three Day Permit Issued to Occupy Spokane
2011-11-17 Carrousel & SkyRide Re-open
2011-11-17 Friends of Manito Provide $50,000 to Begin Mirror Pond Renovation
2011-11-14 Aquatics Summer Passes Make Great Gifts - LOWEST PRICE OF THE SEASON
2011-11-14 Peaceful Valley Sign Honors Jerry Talley
2011-11-01 Ice Palace Lessons for All Begin November 4
2011-10-31 Arboretum Conservators Group to Meet November 7 - Join Us!
2011-10-31 SkyRide and Carrousel Closed Today - Nov 17 for Routine Maintenance
2011-10-28 Veteran's Day Camps for Kids
2011-10-24 Japanese Garden Closes for the Season October 30
2011-10-20 Reforest Spokane Day has More Than 800 Volunteers
2011-10-20 Park Board Adopts 2012 Budget
2011-10-19 Lace up Those Skates - Ice Palace Opens TODAY! 
2011-10-10 2011 Annual Fall Leaf Festival at the Arboretum, October 15
2011-10-10 Sekani Trail Run, Early Registration Closes October 12
2011-10-06 October is NeighborWoods Month
 2011-10-03 Sekani Trail Run Register NOW

3rd Quarter 2011 - July through September

2nd Quarter 2011 - April through June

2011-06-30 Great LIVE 4th of July Entertainment in Riverfront Park
2011-06-30 Are Your Sycamore Trees Suffering - What to Do
2011-06-30 Donors Help Make Dog Park a Nicer Place for Dogs to Play
2011-06-30 4th of July Reserved Seating & Fireworks Display
2011-06-29 Mike Van Zee Wins Bronze Medal at Special Olympics in Athens
2011-06-29 New Self-guided Olmsted Legacy Heritage Tour Online
2011-06-28 International Antique Car Meet
2011-06-28 4th of July FREE Kids Activities
2011-06-27 4th of July Festival in Riverfront Park
2011-06-23 Free Trail Building & Maintenence Clinic to be Held June 29
2011-06-20 Riverfront IMAX Showing FREE on Region's History
2011-06-20 Dog Park at High Bridge to be Closed for Three Days
2011-06-16 Moore-Turner Gardens in Bloom
2011-06-15 Zumba-thon at East Central
2011-06-09 Mike VanZee Day Headed to  World Special Olympics Games in Athens
2011-06-13 Aquatic Centers to Open June 20
2011-06-06 Aquatics Jobs Available
2011-06-06 Tree Work on Post between Maxwell & Cleveland Underway Today
2011-06-06 Aquatics - 15 Days and Counting
2011-06-06 YMCA Conservation Futures Program $1 million State Grant
2011-06-06 Sekani Adventure Day Offers a Chance to Explore New Outdoor Sports
2011-06-02 Pony Rides are Back in Riverfront Park
2011-05-23 Bridge Walk 2011
2011-05-20 Park Bench Cafe Opens May 20
2011-05-18 Friday Fun Nights in Riverfront Park
2011-05-17 Camps for 2011
2011-05-16 Live Music - Park Bench Cafe - Fridays this Summer 
2011-05-16 TFM Free Presentation - Plants that Deliver
2011-05-16 Carson Park Dedication on Saturday
2011-05-09 WRPA Award for Merkel
2011-05-09 Edwidge Woldson Park Dedication is May 13
2011-05-02 New Season Starts Now at Riverfront Park
2011-05-02 Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens Open May 14
2011-04-29 Bloomsday Runner Repair
2011-04-27 SkyRide Open 7 days a week beginning April 28
2011-04-25 Arbor Day - What is a City Sprite Zelkova?
2011-04-20 Don't Abandon Easter Pets in Park Ponds or Feed Wild Ducks
2011-04-20 Pony Rides at Riverfront Park
2011-04-11 Tree City USA Award Presentation Event Cancelled
2011-04-11 Work Began Today on the Removal of 19 Trees on Grand Blvd
2011-04-07 Tree Plantings to Follow Grand Blvd Re-paving Project
2011-04-06 Tree City USA Award
2011-04-06 Update on Demolition of Former YMCA Building in Riverfront Park
2011-04-05 City Urges Extreme Caution as River Rises
2011-04-05 Spring Summer Guide Available Online
2011-04-05 Friendship Park Tree Removals
2011-04-04 Pricing Promo - Riverfront & Aquatics
2011-04-04 Corbin Art Center Spring Programs Start Soon
2011-04-04 Born to Be Wild at the IMAX
2011-04-01 Ben Burr Temporary Trail Closure
2011-04-01 It's Spring Breakaway at Riverfront Park

1st Quarter 2011 - January through March

4th Quarter 2010 - October through December

3rd Quarter 2010 - July through September

2nd Quarter 2010 - April through June

1st Quarter 2010 - January through March

2010-03-26 Riverfront Dims Lights for Earth Hour
2010-03-25 Riverfront Spring Break Hours of Operation
2010-03-25 KIX 96 Hosts Annual Egg Hunt in Riverfront Park
2010-03-25 Hubble Entertainment Weekly 6 of 10
2010-03-24 Camps at NEYC
2010-03-23 Bread is Bad for Ducks
2010-03-22 Riverfront Open for Spring - Special Hours
2010-03-22 NEYC Promises Eggs-tra Fun
2010-03-15 Hubble Special Screening
2010-03-15 East Central Middle Eastern Dance Program
2010-03-15 Corbin Kids Spring Break Camps
2010-03-09 Hubble Blasts Off at Giant Screen IMAX
2010-03-08 Dont Feed the Ducks
2010-03-08 Dog Park Fundraising Gets Underway
2010-03-08 Citizens Advisory Committee Seeks Member at large
2010-03-05 Swim Fee Community Committee

About Sports

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department provides the community with a variety of sports programs and activities for all ages that emphasize a healthy lifestyle and the value of play.

 

Job Opportunities

Click position title for a complete job description:

 

Sports Facilities & Field Maintenance Staff

Sports Facilities Maintenance Laborer I

Sports Facilities Maintenance Laborer II

 

Download and complete the Sports/Facilities Application

 

For more information please contact Aaron Champagne.

Weddings and Receptions

 

 

From the Manito Park gardens to the Floating Stage at Riverfront Park, the City of Spokane has many beautiful locations for your special day. Reservation policies and prices vary with each location. Please click on one of the following links for more information or call one of the numbers listed below.

 

 

 

Wedding Ceremonies

- Riverfront Park (click or see bottom of page)

 

-Standing ceremonies only: 

 - Coeur d’Alene Park, $200

 - Finch Arboretum, $250

 - Manito Park, $300

Call 509.363.5457 for booking information and availability.

 

 

Reception Venues

- The Woodland Center at the Finch Arboretum, $250.

- Picnic Shelters Franklin Park, Manito Park, Mission Park and Shadle Park, starting at $50.

- Picnic areas with tables/benches, free and no-guarantee.

- Corbin Art Center- Single room and multi-room rental rates are available. Call 509.625.6677 for booking information and availability.

 

Riverfront Park- Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venues

 

Ceremony Only:

  - Floating Stage, $300

 

Ceremony and Reception Venues:

 - Canada Island, $175

 - Forestry Shelter, as low as $175

 - Northbank Shelter, as low as $175

 - 1909 Looff Carrousel, $350

  

Call 509.625.6746 for booking information and availability. Click here for more information about Riverfront Ceremony and Reception Venues.

Field Allocations

 

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department (SPRD) manages the athletic field scheduling for the City of Spokane to assure quality maintenance, equitable distribution and maximum use by the public, and when necessary, protection of fields from overuse.

 

These fields include: the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, Franklin Park Softball Complex, Southeast Sports Complex plus other city park and Spokane Public School elementary and middle school field areas that are typically used for athletic activities.

  

Individuals or groups requesting rental of athletic fields for games or practices must complete an Athletic Field Use Application, as detailed below.

 

 

 

2012 Field Allocation Process:

To determine the needs for 2012, the following Requirements must be met:

1. Thoroughly read the SPRD Athletic Field Rental Guide

2. Completely fill out, sign and date the appropriate application (found in the right-hand column)

2. Submit current and accurate insurance per requirements outlined in the SPRD Athletic Field Rental Guide

4. Submit, upon due date, all required materials as outlined in the SPRD Athletic Field Rental Guide

5. Insurance can be emailed from the user group or your insurance carrier directly

6. Spokane Public School High School Field reservations can be made through Devon Rauenzahn: 509.354.7167 or devonr@spokaneschools.org. Please DO NOT call individual schools for reservations.

7. Please deliver or send ALL of this information to:

                  Spokane Parks & Recreation Department

                  ATTN: Melissa Dierdorf

                  808 W Spokane Falls Blvd - 5th Floor

                  Spokane, WA 99201

 

WHO CAN RESERVE FIELDS?

Sports Associations

Non-Profits

Businesses

 

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Facility Contact Information:

Field Allocations Coordinator

Melissa Dierdorf

509.625.6676

Email: mdierdorf@spokanecity.org

 

Facility Operations Manager

Trevor Buckley

509.742.0837

Email: tbuckley@spokanecity.org

Sekani Trail Run

A 100% dirt trail run above the Spokane River with great views of the City of Spokane and surrounding areas. The run is located at Camp Sekani Park, a 125 acre natural park bordering beautiful Minnehaha. Sekani means, "Children of the Sun".

2011 Results 10K

2011 Results 5K

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2010 RESULTS 10K

10K Female	10K Male
10K Female 19-29	10K Male 19-29
10K Female 30-39	10K Male 30-39
10K Female 40-49	10K Male 40-49
10K Female 50-59	10K Male 50-59
10K Female 60+	10K Male 60+

 

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2010 RESULTS 5K

5K Female	5K Male
5K Female 12 & Under	5K Male 13-18
5K Female 19-29	5K Male 19-29
5K Female 30-39	5K Male 30-39
5K Female 40-49	5K Male 40-49
5K Female 50-59	5K Male 50-59
5K Female 60+	5K Male 60+

CMS Instructions

Upload & Link Files for Download

Emergency Notice

>

2011 Fee Proposals

Spokane Parks & Recreation staff will conduct two open houses on Tuesday, October 19, 2010, to seek information from the public regarding proposed fees for next year at aquatic centers and at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex and the Franklin Park Sports Complex.

Information is needed now so that the 2011 Parks Department budget can be finalized.

The six new aquatic centers and the Merkel Complex were constructed with funding from the 2007 Parks Improvement Bond.  The bond funded construction of the facilities but not maintenance and operation costs, so it’s crucial that user fees or other funding cover M & O.  Likewise, user fees at the Franklin complex must cover M & O at that facility.

Please see proposed 2011 fees located in the "Related Links" bar to your right.

2011 Proposed Aquatics Fees Meeting

October 19, 2010

6:00 pm

WoodlandCenterat Finch Arboretum

3404 W. Woodland Blvd., Spokane, WA 99224

 

2011 Proposed Merkel and Franklin Use Fees Meeting

October 19, 2010

6:00 pm

WoodlandCenterat Finch Arboretum

3404 W. Woodland Blvd., Spokane, WA 99224

 

Follow Us

Get in touch with updates on class openings, new activities, special events and more with our many ways to keep you connected.

                          

Join us on Facebook, Sign up for an e-Newsletter, Follow us on Twitter and get Text Message alerts.

New Activities - Found Only Online

Spokane Parks and Recreation is always adding more activities that are not found in the printed Activity Guide. Be sure to check our online registration to see what new fun things have been added, such as the following:

November:

 

Session 1- Ice Skating Lessons

Learn to skate! Everyone’s favorite, fun winter program offers beginning lessons to include skating forward, backward, stopping, crossovers and jumps.

 

 

Session 1- Parent/Tot Ice Skating Lessons

Learn the fundamentals of this life-long skill with your child in this class format that is perfect for homeschooled students.

 

 

Massage Couples

Slow down and connect with your partner while learning to give and receive a relaxing, therapeutic massage.

 

 

Gnocchi Con Potatoes- Italian Cooking!

Gnocchi is soft, tasty and fun to make - served with Tullia's sauce and parmigiano or parmigiano-romano cheese and accompanied by zucchini al forno farciti (stuffed) with bread crumbs and cheese.

 

 

Mexican Cooking- Chili Rellenos

Whether you are a serious cook or culinary master, learn these basic family-style recipes to make Chili Rellenos, Spanish Rice, Beans, Salsa, Tortillas and Mexican Cookies.

 

December:

 

Swarovski Crystal Watch

Make your own crystal watchband and learn to attach it to a provided watch movement in this no-experience-necessary jewelry class. It’s easy! Learn simple beading techniques and leave with a gorgeous piece of gift-able jewelry.

 

Photography Permits

2012 Photography Policy

The CIty of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department is proud to highlight the beautiful area parks and recreation facilities throughout Spokane. We encourage photography within our parks and have provided the 2012 Photography Policy & guide to properly obtain photos within our parks. For a current photography brochure, listing important details regarding photography in our parks, click the link below.

2012 Photography Policy

2012 Photo Permit Application

For additional information, contact:

Kathi Young

509.363.5455

kyoung@spokanecity.org

SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge

 

Harley is a well-mannered dog who likes to hang out at the dog park. See our previous "Dogs of the Week". 

 

Fetch:

Dog Etiquette and Safety Tips
About the Dog Park
Directions
The Master Plan
Dogs of the Week

 

Dog Etiquette and Safety Tips

With the advent of the sunny skies, the dog park will be busier then ever. That's why SpokAnimal Director of Education, Carol Byrnes, will be hosting an open house Saturday, May 21, called "Dog Park Etiquette and Safety Tips - Don't Smell So Close to Me." During this open house, Carol, Spokane's premiere dog trainer and owner of Diamonds in the Ruff, will cover different topics. For folks well-trained, as well as those new to the dog park world, it will cover a broad range of topics, including:

-Big Dog area vs. Little Dog area--what is the difference?
-What a dog park is and is not
-Reading Dog body language in a dog park situation
-Tips for a good dog park experience

 The Open House will kick off at 10:00 a.m., with station tours leaving every half hour until 1 pm.  Suggestion donation for this class is $15, with 100% of the proceeds going to dog park improvements.  Registration is the day of the class at the park, and each participant will be given a goodie bag which will include treats, coupons, and a $35 gift certificate for the "What My Dog is Saying" class at Diamonds in the Ruff.  Each station will have a learning tool to teach the different rules of the park (Poop Scoop relay, Come When Called, Safety Scans, Keep Moving:  Good Play vs. Bad Play) and groups will discuss individual scenarios that may happen in a dog park setting.

 For more information on the class, contact Carol Byrnes 509.328.6959.

What a Dog Park is, and is not

This article is a must read for anyone who wants to keep the dog park a happy, enjoyable place for all users. "What a Dog Park is, and is not" is provided by Carol Byrnes, SpokAnimal dog training expert. 

 

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About the Dog Park

On December 27, 2010, a 3-year contract between SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. and the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department marked the beginning of the first dog park within the City of Spokane.

 At the Dog Park Dedication on January 13, 2011, SpokAnimal was revealed as the namesake donor of the new dog park. SpokAnimal donated $40,000, making it possible to begin Phase I of development. Installation of fencing for the safety of our best friends and the security of the community has been completed. Check back for updates on project progression.  

Spokane Mayor Mary Verner and SpokAnimal Executive Director Gail Mackie

 

Eagle Scout Project Brings Picnic Tables to Park

He may resemble Justin Bieber, but don't let that fool you:  14 yr. old Keign Vedvick is not your typical teenager.  While other middle schoolers spend the winter months searching out tasty powder on their snowboards, Keign (pronounced "cane") spent November thru April searching out possible donors for Trex building materials.  After seeing a news story about the new dog park's lack of sitting areas, he decided that he would like to take on his final Eagle Scout project by building nine picnic benches for the new park. It's amazing that a 14 yr. old can complete his Eagle Scout requirements (usually completed at age 17), what's even more amazing is the way this kid wields a tape measure.

 On Friday April 8, Keign, along with his father and two fellow boy scouts, piled up almost 1000 lbs. of Trex onto a truck and hauled it out to SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge.  From there they met with SpokAnimal Outreach Coordinator Bridgette Bossio, and SpokAnimal Director of Education, Carol Byrnes, and scoped out where they would like the new benches.

Amidst turning saw blades and the sounds of electric drills and screwdrivers, Keign and his crew took the better part of one of their spring break days off to assemble and complete the new benches.  Folks in the dog park during the marathon work assembly came over to thank him - he even got a couple of licks too. The benches are a much needed addition to the busy park.  Even during the gloomy early spring months, you could find up to 100 people and their pooches at the park.  Now with the weather getting nicer, the park will be busier than ever, and the shady respite that the benches provide are a great place for the animal community to meet and swap doggie stories.

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Directions

 Take Riverside west from downtown. 

Look for “A” Street and turn left. 

               If you are coming on Government Way, turn east on Riverside; look for “A” street and turn right. > View map

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The Master Plan

The project began when the Spokane Parks Foundation awarded a $12,000 grant for development of the Master Plan for the Dog Park. There are separately designated areas for small and medium to large dogs, and a parking lot with plenty of space for dog park users.

 As additional funding becomes available, future development of SpokAnimal's Dog Park at High Bridge may include a hiking trail, splash pads, agility equipment, community gardens, picnic tables/public areas and more.

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SpokAnimal Dog Park at High Bridge already has fans: 

  

 

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Upcoming Events at Manito Park

HOLIDAY LIGHTS DISPLAY

CLICK HERE for more information

 

Come and enjoy a beautiful display of over 30,000 holiday lights as the Friends of Manito hosts the 2011 Holiday Lights Display.

The annual display will occur in the Gaiser Conservatory from December 9^th through December 18^th. Hosted by The Friends of Manito, this year's display features approximately 30,000 lights illuminating the beautiful plants of the Conservatory and six cultivars of poinsettia. Experience the holiday season in true spirit with holiday music throughout the Conservatory.

Dwight Merkel Sports Complex

 

 

Spokane's largest sports complex celebrated its Grand Opening on August 7, 2010 with a Ribbon-cutting Ceremony and a whole day of fun activities featuring the new Softball Complex, Soccer Complex, BMX Track, Skate Park, Trails, Neighborhood Park, Splash Pad and more. View pictures of this event on our Facebook page.

    

 

  

 

 

 Have a question about the new Merkel Complex? View contact information and frequently asked questions. Scroll down for aerial photos of the entire Merkel Complex and Albi Stadium, plus information regarding the funding, features and history of "Dwight Merkel."

 

> User Fees

> Field Allocation Guidelines

> Field Use Policy

> Field Layout

 

 

 

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About the Merkel Complex

Named for one of the city’s most influential figures in the development of athletic competition for children, the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex was constructed using $7 million from the 2007 City of Spokane Parks Improvement Bond along with $4 million from the sale of park property that was approved by City voters in 1999 and subsequently held in reserve. > Site Plan

 

The new Dwight Merkel Sports Complex features:

·         Six full size natural grass soccer fields

·         Two full size synthetic athletic fields with lights

·         Five softball diamonds with lights

·         One youth baseball field

·         Concessions, rest rooms and meeting space

·         BMX track with lights & timing equipment

·         Skate park

·         Neighborhood park with splash pad & playground

·         Paved perimeter trail

·         Unpaved 1-mile hiking trail that leads down to Riverside State Park’s trails and offers outstanding views of the Spokane River > Trails at the Merkel Complex

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Dwight Merkel - The Man behind the Name

 

 

 

 

 

“His biggest contribution was to make sure every

kid got a chance to play, to have his day in the sun,

by making a policy that everyone got to play at least

half a game," said longtime friend, Kirby McKee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth Sports Champion Merkel Dies

Jim Price Correspondent. The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Wash. June 4, 1997

Photo - Shawn Jacobson, The Spokesman-Review

 

Dwight Merkel, the city's most influential figure in the development of athletic competition for children, died Tuesday afternoon, June 3, 1997 following a long illness. > Read the full story

Youth Sports - Summer Camps 2012

 

 

5 days (Ages 8-15) Learn the fundamentals of competitive badminton in a fun and yet challenging way. Activities will be designed to teach the essentials of Badminton rules and etiquette but also include all of the following: Fine and gross motor skills, Agility, Endurance and Hand-eye coordination.

Sacajawea Middle School Gym, 401 E. 33rd. $120 - 6/20-6/24 9AM-3PM

 

 

 

 

June 18 - 22  | Ages 4 - 15 | The camp system is ideal for the beginning to intermediate player, focusing on applying both the technical and tactical pieces of the game. Sounders FC offer a half-day camp for ages 4-15 and a full-day camp for ages 7-15. All Campers will learn from elite high school, college, professional, and former professional players/coaches.The camps will feature a top of the line curriculum, Adidas ball & T-Shirt, as well as special appearances by players & Sounders FC Technical Staff.  In addition, all campers will be invited to an annual Sounders FC Camp appreciation day where campers will have the opportunity to watch practice & meet the team. REGISTER NOW!

 

 

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TENNIS SUMMER CAMPS

Tennis Summer Camps | Ages 4-12

Tennis Summer Camps - USTA Quickstart | Ages 4-7 - QuickStart is a modified, kid-friendly way to learn tennis. This is accomplished by the using of specialized equipment and activities with this young age set specifically in mind. This is a safe and friendly environment for a child to learn how to play tennis even if he or she has never picked up a racquet before!

Tennis Summer Camps - USTA 10 and Under | Ages 8-10 - This camp is specifically designed for players age 10 and under. Everything from smaller courts to lighter, slower-moving balls are used to ensure that the young player learn tennis in a way that is of the most benefit to them!

Tennis Summer Camps - USTA 12 and Under | Ages 11-12 - This camp is designed to solidify the proper grips/strokes for players of beginner and intermediate levels through a variety of fun drills and games. The camper can expect to leave camp with an understanding for the game as well as an exciting experience!

 

 

 

Tennis High School Beginner and Advanced Camps | Ages 13-18

All instructors are college level, experienced players.

For all participants:

• End of camp round robin tournament
• Technical development evaluation sheet
• Camp participant t-shirt

Tennis Advanced High School Camps | Ages 13-18  This camp teaches the fundamentals of tennis in order to create a firm foundation for tennis play. Specifically chosen drills and games will be used for the beginner player to put the teaching to practice.

Tennis Beginner High School Camps | Ages 13-18 - In addition to fine-tuning already established skills, this camp offers challenging drills along with competitive play to further develop the participants’ game.

 

 

 

Since 1979, Skyhawks sports has led safe, fun and skill-focused sports camps and programs for youth between the ages of 3-12. We offer 15 different different sports--and countless ways for your child to grow.  The camps range from soccer to baseball to our popular mulit-sport camps where kids sample three different sports (soccer, basketball and baseball) in one camp. We also have added by popular demand several new sports camps this year including skateboarding, Quickstart Tennis and Capture the Flag.

 

Skyhawks Extreme Sports Day Camp!  Ages 6-8 and 9-12  Your all day, week-long pass to fun is brought to you by Skyhawks and Spokane Parks and Recreation.  Imagine the fun of a day spent playing soccer, baseball, flag football, volleyball, basketball, capture the flag, dodgeball and more.  Now add to that the excitement of being able to experience and learn the basics of BMX and Skate Boarding at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex! This is a week your kids will be talking about for a long time! Regular camp hours are from 9AM-3PM. Available extended hours from 7AM to 9AM and 3PM to 5PM requires an additional payment of $40. REGISTER NOW!

 

 

 

   Skyhawks Tiny-Hawk Summer Camp | Ages 3-4

   Skyhawks Mini-Hawk Summer Camp | Ages 4-7

   Skyhawks Beginning Golf Summer Camp | Ages 5-8

   Skyhawks Cheerleading Summer Camp | 5-10

   Skyhawks Baseball Summer Camp | Ages 7-12

   Skyhawks Baseball Evening Summer Camp | Ages 7-12

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skyhawks Flag Football Summer Camp | Ages 7-12   

Skyhawks Multi-Sport Summer Camp | Ages 6-12   

Skyhawks Soccer Summer Camp | Ages 7-12   

Skyhawks Soccer Evening Summer Camp | Ages 7-12   

Skyhawks Basketball Summer Camp | Ages 7-12   

Skyhawks Volleyball Summer Camp | Ages 8-12   

 

 

 

 

SoccerTots® is a franchised child physical development program that uses a variety of fun games to delight and engage kids in physical activity. The curriculum is professionally designed to develop motor skills, promote physical fitness, and create self confidence in kids and younger children. It stresses a non-competitive environment and promotes fun above all else.
 

 

 

    DWIGHT MERKEL SPORTS COMPLEX:
    SoccerTots Teddies II
    SoccerTots Cubs and Cubs II
    SoccerTots Koalas
    SoccerTots Bears
    HoopsterTots Grasshoppers II
    HoopsterTots Froggies II
    Lil Sluggers Minors
    Lil Sluggers Majors

 

FRANKLIN PARK:    
SoccerTots Teddies II    
SoccerTots Cubs    
SoccerTots Koalas    
SoccerTots Bears   
SoccerTots Pandas   
Lil Sluggers Mascots   
Lil Sluggers Minors   
Lil Slugers Majors   
CheerTots Robins   
CheerTots Hawks   
CheerTots Eagles   

 

    SKY PRAIRE PARK:
    SoccerTots Teddies II
    SoccerTots Cubs
    SoccerTots Bears
    Lil Sluggers Mascots II
    Lil Sluggers Minors
    Lil Sluggers Minors II
    Lil Sluggers Majors II
    Lil Sluggers Hall of Fame
    CheerTots Robins
    CheerTots Hawks
    CheerTots Eagles

 

THORTON MURPHY PARK:   
SoccerTots Teddies and Teddies II    
SoccerTots Cubs and Cubs II    
SoccerTots Koalas    
SoccerTots Bears    
Lil Sluggers Minors and Minors II    
Lil Slugers Majors II    
HoopsterTots Grasshoppers   
HoopsterTots Froggies II   
HoopsterTots Rabbits II   
VolleyTots Wildcats   
VolleyTots Cougars   
VolleyTots Panthers   
VolleyTots Tigers   

 

 

REGISTER NOW!

 

 

 

 

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For more information call 509.625.6625 or email Adriano Eva

Sports Home I Adult Sports

Adult Sports Leagues

ULTIMATE FRISBEE OPEN PLAY & LEAGUES - Spring 2012

Spring Open Play season starts 04/01/2012 - League starts June 2012 (TBA)
(Dates are subject to change due to weather conditions)

Location: Franklin Park, Spokane

 

 

16 AND OVER: VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL OPEN GYM

VOLLEYBALL
Chase Middle School - Competitive - Fridays 6:15-9:30PM, $3.50
Salk Middle School - Recreational -  Fridays 6:15-9:30PM, $3.50

BASKETBALL
Sac Middle School, Wednesdays 6:30-9:30PM, $3.00

 

Players ages 16 and 17, please fill out parental consent form (under Related Links).

 

 

SOCCER LEAGUE COED - Spring 2012

8 weeks | Ages 18 + Spring season starts on 4/4 - Join a team anytime!
All games played at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex and the Joe Albi Stadium.
For registration information, please click here. If you are a free agent looking for a team, please click here.
Registration fee is $30 (or $50 for Spring and Fall 2012)

 

FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES - Spring 2012

Joe Albi Stadium and Dwight Merkel Sports Complex
Tournament dates: 5/13 and 5/20

 

 

RECOMENDED EVENT: WESTERN CANADIAN FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMING UP - FALL 2012

 

 

 

CURLING ANYONE?

CLINICS AND LEAGUES - FALL 2012

 

 

 

 

 

For more information call 509.625.6625 or email Adriano Eva

Sports Home I Youth Sports - Summer Camps

Trails at the Merkel Complex

  

 

 

New Trails 

 

Two new trails were constructed at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in 2010. The Riverside State Park connector trail links from the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex to Riverside State Park's trail system and the Spokane River. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

This unpaved trail is approximately 1-mile long with outstanding views of the Spokane River and is perfect for mountain biking, hiking, trail running or walking your dog. Though expertly designed, the Riverside State Park connector trail is unique due to the fact that it was built entirely by volunteers. See the amazing work accomplished by the Spokane community on our Facebook page, or by coming out to walk it yourself!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition there is a 5K (3.1 mile) perimeter trail encircling the entire Merkel Complex and Joe Albi Stadium, which was designed to allow neighbors and visitors to bike, run and walk without navigating through parking lots, playing fields, etc. This trail also connects to the trail going down to Riverside State Park.

Universal Playground

 

The first Children’s Universal Playground in Spokane was dedicated Wednesday, May 25, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in Mission Park.  The new playground provides opportunities for children of all abilities to play with their peers and siblings in the same setting.

 

The Universal Playground is part of ongoing work by the Spokane Regional Health District to develop a healthy lifestyle for children with lifelong disabilities who are at high risk for developing secondary conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

 

The Health District and Rotaract were primary supporters of the project.

 

The new playground is located adjacent to the existing play structure in Mission Park and will be maintained by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department.  The Park address is 1300 E. Mission  (E. Mission & Upriver Drive). 

 

For more information, contact Heleen Dewey at the Health District, 509.324.1555.

 

More pictures of the dedication can be viewed on our Facebook page.

Fish Lake Trail

Bring your bike out for a great ride. The trail head is at Government Way and Milton Street. Look in Related Links for a trail brochure with a map you can print out and take with you.

 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the first two legs of the Fish Lake Trail was on May 14, 2010. View pictures of this event on our Facebook page.

The Friends of Manito

Founded in 1990, The Friends of Manito (TFM) is a non-profit group that works to support 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 for 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, The Friends of Manito has contributed over $525,000 to Manito Park.  For more information visit www.thefriendsofmanito.org

Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens

About

The Heritage Gardens were restored to the period they flourished following their redesign in 1911. Some historic plant materials survived. Plant material was reintroduced in 2007 based on historic research incorporated into the planting plan; approved by the Spokane Landmarks Commission, July 2006.

The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens are situated on a steep hillside with an elevation of approximately 120 vertical feet. As a historic site, to preserve historic integrity the structures, staircases, and trails retain their original design. You will experience numerous steps, inclines, and a lack of handrails.

The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens opened to the public on Saturday, August 18, 2007. The public was invited to take a sneak peek of the site and view the restoration work to see the site in its infancy and enjoy the transformation as it evolves over the next few years. Open seven weekends from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the Gardens closed their first season on Sunday, September 30, 2007. 2,000 visited the site.

Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens

HISTORY

The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens were established in 1889 and maintained until 1932 as residential gardens for the Moore and Turner families. The Gardens remained untended and were reclaimed by nature until their rediscovery in 1998 following an ice storm. Parks and Recreation staff began an extensive research process and led a community master planning process to restore the Gardens approved in 2000. With grant funding and community donations, the initial restoration process began in April 2005 to rescue the rose arbor and perennial garden staircases. Myrtle Woldson came forward on December 29, 2005 in honor of her mother Edwidge Woldson to fund the remaining restoration of the Heritage Gardens.

In 1889 Frank Rockwood Moore (1852-1895) and his wife Sarah Frances Sherlock Moore purchased a section of the south hill’s wooded hillside, 525 West Seventh Avenue, and hired Kirtland Cutter to design their home. Drawn to Seventh Avenue’s panoramic views of Spokane, the Moore’s prominent two-and-one-half story home was a combination of architectural styles and featured a sweeping front lawn and drive. During the construction of the home – the future site of the Heritage Gardens – the north-facing hillside was cleared and then replanted with young trees.

Before his death in 1895, Mr. Moore served as the first president of the Washington Water Power Company, held investments in Idaho mines and Spokane area real estate, and with James Glover, established the First National Bank. Mr. Moore is attributed with constructing the series of hillside terraces, basalt rock retaining walls, and well house.

U.S. Senator George Turner (1850-1932) and his wife Bertha Dreher Turner took possession of the house and its grounds in 1896. A prominent political figure, Judge Turner (as he wished to be called) was a member of the state’s Constitutional Convention of 1889, served as a Washington State Supreme Court Justice, was appointed an international arbiter by Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson, and in his private law practice was an authority on corporation and mining law. In 1895, Judge Turner added to his real estate and mining investments a partnership in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The Turners hired Portland landscape architect Hugh Bryan in 1911 to make improvements to the gardens. Prominent structures and features in the Arts and Crafts style of garden design were added to the original Victorian-influenced garden. The two-tiered pergola, arbor, tea house, and water features as well as the conservatory and greenhouses were incorporated into the basalt-faced terraces and staircases. Headlines from a Spokane Daily Chronicle article October 20, 1911 described carloads of flowers, bushes, shrubbery, and trees were planted and noted the perennial garden as the largest in the northwest.

The Heritage Gardens was the site of many summer parties and flourished until Judge Turner’s death in 1932. Coinciding with the Depression of the 1930’s, the property was acquired by the bank holding the Turner’s outstanding mortgage. After unsuccessful attempts to sell and auction the home, the house was demolished in 1940. The house stood where the lower parking lot is located today.

Today, the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens is owned and operated by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department. The adjoining Daniel Chase Corbin property to the east and the Moore-Turner property were purchased by the Spokane Park Board in 1945 to form Pioneer Park; renamed Edwidge Woldson Park in 2010. The Heritage Gardens are listed on the local and state historic registers and situated in the Marycliff/Cliff Park Historic District. In 2007, the National Historic Register listing was pending.

The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens are situated on a steep hillside with an elevation of approximately 120 vertical feet. As a historic site, to preserve historic integrity the structures, staircases, and trails retain their original design. You will experience numerous steps, inclines, and a lack of handrails.

The Heritage Gardens were restored to the period they flourished following their redesign in 1911. Retaining their design between 1911 and 1914, some historic plant materials survived at the time restoration began. The majority of plant materials were reintroduced in 2007 based on historic research incorporated into the planting plan; approved by the Spokane Landmarks Commission, July 2006.

Text Message Sign-Up

Now you can receive information on last-minute class openings or available tee times, delivered right to your phone! Scroll down to sign up for text message updates from Parks and Recreation, Northeast Youth Center and Golf.

 

Parks and Recreation Texts

Northeast Youth Center Texts

 

Golf Texts

e-Newsletter Sign-up Form

Sign-up for our e-Newsletters and stay up to date on your favorite activities. Be the first to know about discounts and more! We're not going to clutter your inbox; here is a list of how often (approximately) you'll hear from us. Weekly: Outdoor, Bi-Weekly: Adult & Family, Youth, Riverfront Park, Monthly: Sports and Fitness, Tall Tree Newsletter by Urban Forestry, Semi-Annually: The Howl - A Dog Newsletter, Aquatics. All other e-Newsletters are sent about once a year. 

Email Marketing You Can Trust

About Us… By the Numbers

 

Deliver professional management and prudent caretaking for 80 park areas, 3,117 acres of land, 50 playgrounds, 200 sports facilities and 40 miles of trails including Riverfront Park, Manito Park, Gaiser Conservatory, city-wide public gardens including Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens, the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, Rose Hill, the Lilac Garden, Duncan Garden, the Joel E. Ferris Perennial Garden, and the John A. Finch Arboretum.

 

 

 

 

Provide for the care and well-being of 48,000 street trees, 28,000 trees on developed public land and 27,000 available planting spaces along streets in the City.

 

 

 

 

Coordinate and schedule events and activities in City parks that in 2009 included: 340 picnic shelter reservations; 113 special event permits; 249 small family gatherings; and 74 weddings.

 

 

 

 

 

Provide athletic facilities management and scheduling for 155 separate play fields at 72 different sites.  In 2009 staff handled 475 different requests for athletic field usage.

 

 

 

 

Deliver over $3.5 million in revenue and host 2.5 million guests annually in Riverfront Park.

 

 

 

Coordinate a full schedule of family entertainment and events including First Night Spokane, the Bloomsday Post-Race Celebration, Spokane’s 4th of July Community Celebration, Hoopfest, Unity in the Community, Kid’s Day, Spokane Falls Northwest Indian Encampment & Powwow and Pig-Out in the Park, plus many outdoor concerts and other community activities.

 

 

 

 

Operate six aquatic centers and 15 splash pads in parks throughout the City.

 

 

 

Manage four championship golf courses providing more than 150,000 rounds of golf annually:

Downriver	45,734
Esmeralda	39,148
Indian Canyon	35,538
Creek at Qualchan	35,014
2009 Total Rounds	155,434

Operate over 100,000 hours of programs serving 14,538 people in Outdoor Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, Arts, Youth, Sports and Personal Interest classes.

Collaborate and provide support and recreational programming for community centers, senior centers, the Northeast Youth Center and Corbin Art Center.

Utilize guidance from an all-citizen policy board.

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All facilities and programs are managed by a talented and energetic staff of 88 full-time employees, augmented with several hundred dedicated seasonal workers.

Register for Classes

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our online registration process.  
Please call 509.625.6200 to register for classes.

 We apologize for the inconvenience.

Jobs

Thanks for your interest in working with the Parks and Recreation team

Current Openings

Fill out the application(s) below and return to the location specified.
Aquatics
Outdoor Application for:
      -Outdoor Recreation Program Leader
Park Operations  Call 509.363.5455 for more information about Park Operations positions.
Riverfront Park

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For more information on jobs with Recreation please call 509.625.6200 or fill out the appropriate application below and return it to the location specified.

Corbin Art Center
Outdoor Recreation
Personal Interest
Sports
Sports Facilities
Teen & Adult Programs
Therapeutic Recreation Services (TRS)

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For job information in other divisions of Parks & Recreation, click on your area of interest and either email the contact listed or fill out the appropriate application and return it to the location specified.

Golf Courses
Urban Forestry

Awards

The Spokane Park Board, management team and department staff are proud stewards of the Olmsted 100-year legacy and work hard, day in and day out to provide and support this community’s wonderful parks and activities system.  We are dedicated to continuing to maintain high standards of care for the public assets assigned to our safe keeping.

The following recognitions are proud reminders of this legacy:

2011 Awards & Recognition

Regional Spokane CVB honored two excellent staff members. Congratulations to Dave and Olga and to all of the staff who work day in and day out to make city parks and programs the very best they can be.

 Dave Randolph, Facilities Foreperson at Riverfront Park was a Finalist for the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau's "Heart of the House Award."

Olga Pasher, Guest Services Lead at Riverfront Park was a Finalist for the "Superior Service Award."

 

 Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine awarded the following to the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department:

- Best Golf Course: Gold Award – Downriver Golf Course

- Best Place for Family Fun: Gold Award – Riverfront Park

- Best Place for Kids Under 12: Bronze Award – Riverfront Park

- Best Place for First Date: Gold Award – Riverfront Park

 

 

The national Arbor Day Foundation recognized Spokane as a Tree City USA for the 8th consecutive year.

 

  

The Inlander’s Best of the Inland Northwest 2011 honored the following:
 - Best Playground: 1st place Manito Park, 2nd place Riverfront Park

 - Best Outdoor Recreation Guide Service: 2nd place Spokane Parks and Recreation

 

 KREM’s “The Best of the Inland Northwest” awarded the following:

-Best Golf Course: 1st Place - Downriver Golf Course

-Best Place to People Watch: 1st Place - Riverfront Park

-Landmark Award: Riverfront Park Carrousel

 

 

 The Dwight Merkel Sports Complex Received a SPOTLIGHT AWARD for “Facilities and Parks, Best Sports Complex” awarded at the annual Washington Recreation & Park Association (WRPA) Awards Banquet held April 26 – 29, 2011, in Wenatchee.

 

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2010 Awards & Recognition

 

 

Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine awarded the following to the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department:

 

 

- Best Place for Family Fun: 2nd place Riverfront Park

- Best Golf Course: 3rd place Indian Canyon Golf Course

- Best Place for a First Date: 1st place Riverfront Park, 3rd place Manito Park

 

  

 

Gary Lindeblad, Head Professional at Indian Canyon Golf Course, qualified to compete in the U.S. Senior Open.

 

 

 

 

 

Riverfront Park was a finalist for the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau Attraction of the Year Award, and Don Largent for "Heart of the House" Award.  The Carrousel was also recognized as a semi-finalist.

 

 

 

 

East Central Senior Center’s Melinda More, shown here with senior Drew Holt, received the City of Spokane’s Employee of the Month for August 2010.

 

 

 

 

KREM-TV’s Annual Z-Best of Spokane recognized The Creek at Qualchan as the Best Golf Course for 2010.

 

 

 

Riverfront Park Maintenance started Capital project to install new energy efficient lights for the Ice Palace, saving approx 61% in energy costs and receiving a $14,600 rebate from Avista. They also bought and installed restrooms at the Riverfront Rotary Fountain.

 

 

 

 

The Inlander’s Best of 2010 honored the following:

 

 

- Best Golf Course: 1st place Downriver, 2nd place Indian Canyon

- Best Place to Go on a First Date: 1st place Riverfront Park, 2nd place Manito Park

- Best Place to Pop the Question: 1st place Riverfront Park, 2nd place Manito Park

 

 

 

The national Arbor Day Foundation recognized Spokane as a Tree City USA for the 7th consecutive year. Spokane also received its 1st Growth Award from the National Arbor Day Foundation.

 

 

 

2009 Awards & Recognition

The Mayor’s Urban Design Awards recognize and thank people who contribute to Spokane’s quality of life and help implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan through good urban design. In 2009, Parks and Recreation projects received three awards:

 

 

WINNER

City of Spokane Pools
Mayor’s Choice Award 2009
The highest honor for overall urban design excellence.

 

 

 

  

WINNER

Riverfront Park/Expo ‘74 special acknowledgement of King Cole’s contributions
Heritage Award 2009
For a design project that has significantly contributed to Spokane’s quality of life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINNER

Hillyard Skate Park
Shrinking Lilac Award 2009
For a project that was not submitted for an award, but the Design Committee considers to be excellent.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

The Inlander’s Best of the Inland Northwest Readers Poll honored Manito Park with a Hall of Fame Award for being recognized 10 years in a row. Honors this year and in previous years include:

 

Best Park in 1994, 2005, 2009

Best Place to Walk Your Dog in 1998 and 2009

Best Swing Set in 1995 and 2007

Best Place for a Picnic in 1995 and 1996

Best Terrain Park in 1999

Best Place for an Outdoor Wedding in 2000, 2006 and 2007

 

 

 

Creek at Qualchan golf pro, Mark Gardner, qualified for the Senior PGA Professional National Championship in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and at the Hudson Cup matches for the Pacific Northwest PGA he won all of his matches and received the Bob McKendrick Award which recognizes the outstanding senior professional.

 

  

 

 

 

Dave Randolph, Labor Foreperson at Riverfront Park was City of Spokane Employee of the Month for June.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arboretum gardener Sally Sullivan received a bronze medal in softball at the 2009 National Senior Games, the Olympics for those over 50.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Golf World Readers Choice Awards ranked Indian Canyon nationally among seven Washington State courses scoring more than 75 points out of 100.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northeast Youth Center received the “Non-Profit Trustee Leadership Award” from the Leadership Spokane Class of 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Watson, CHOICE Program Supervisor at Sinto Senior Activity Center was awarded the New Professional Award by the Washington State Association of Senior Centers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor Alice Busch received the Community Therapeutic Recreation Specialist of the Year Award from the Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association.

 

 

 

 

 

Corbin Arts Center Director Lynn Mandyke received two awards for her work as project manager for the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens restoration - the National Preservation Medal from the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Washington, D.C., and a DAR Washington Historic Preservation Award.

 

 

 

 

 

Riverfront Park and Manito Food & Beverage Service had the best team ever according to manager, Sam Song, with 50% returning staff and less than 10% turnover rate. Average turnover rate industry-wide is 100% to 300%.

 

 

 

 

 

The national Arbor Day Foundation recognized Spokane as a Tree City USA for the 6th consecutive year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minnehaha Park celebrated its 100th anniversary.

 

 

 

 

2008 Awards & Recognition

Spokane’s Japanese Garden was renamed in honor of the Garden’s founder, Ed Tsutakawa.  The Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden

moved up in rankings to number 16 out of 300 in North America according to a 2008 Public Garden Survey done by 45 Japanese garden specialists for the publication, Journal of Japanese Gardening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose Hill Garden in Manito Park was named #1 in the nation by All-America Rose Selections (AARS), a nonprofit association dedicated to the introduction and promotion of exceptional roses.

 

  

 

Jordan Longinotti, one of Peaceful Valley Community Center’s homework club youth received the 2008 President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement from President Bush.  Council President Joe Shogun presented the award to Jordan at the Town Hall meeting January 26, 2009. Pictured left to right:  Peaceful Valley Community Center Director, Mark Reilly,  Jordan Longinetti and City Council President, Joe Shogan.

 

 

 

 

The Friends of Manito and the Spokane Park Board commemorated the 50th Anniversary Of Cancer Patient Care with the dedication of “The Walk of Hope” in Manito Park.

 

 

 

 

Expo ‘74 President, King Cole, was honored as a visionary leader with the dedication of “King Cole Way” In Riverfront Park.

 

 

 

 

The 30th Anniversary of Riverfront Park was commemorated with a day-long celebration on August 25 featuring 1978 rolled back prices on rides, a former Riverfront Park Team member “no host” reunion for 10,000 former Park employees, Clocktower stage entertainment, and, what else, Anniversary Cake served at the Pavilion.

  

 

 

For the 5th year in a row Spokane has been awarded the designation, Tree City USA, given by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

 

 

 

 

Sinto Senior Activity Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2008.  It opened in 1958 as the first senior center in Spokane and only the second in the state, right behind Seattle.

 

 

 

 

Northeast Youth Center was selected to host the first “Kids Café” Program in the state of Washington by Second Harvest.  There are over 1700 Kids Café‘s across the United States and it is an honor to host this program in the lowest income area per capita in the state into 2010.

 

 

The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens received three awards:

*    The 2008 Valerie Sivinski Award for outstanding achievement in historic preservation by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

*    The Washington Chapter of the American Public Works Association Project of the Year in Historic Preservation.

*    The Association of Washington Cities Municipal Excellence Award

 

  

 

The Creek at Qualchan head professional, Mark Gardner, qualified to compete in the 42nd PGA Professional National Championship.

 

 

 

 

 

Corbin Senior Activity Center celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

 

 

 

 

Golf Digest magazine in its “Best Places to Play” feature gives high marks to all four City of Spokane championship golf courses:

 

Indian Canyon and Qualchan Rated “Outstanding”
Downriver and Esmeralda Rated “Very Good”

 

 

 

The Pacific Northwest Inlander’s “Best of…” Readers Poll for 2008 recognized the following:

 

#1 Golf Course Indian Canyon

#2 Golf Course Downriver

 

#1 Place to Skateboard Hillyard Skate Park
#2 Place to Skateboard Downtown Spokane Skate Park

 

 

2007 Awards & Recognition

The Spokane Park Board, management team and department staff are proud stewards of a 100-year legacy and work hard, day in and day out to provide and support this community’s wonderful park and activities system.  We are dedicated to continuing to maintain high standards of care for the public assets assigned to our safe keeping.

The following recognitions are proud reminders of this legacy:

 

 

 

Spokane was awarded the designation, Tree City USA for the fourth year in a row, an award given by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Inland Northwest Tourism Awards presented by the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau awarded Manito Park its Top Attraction Award for 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

East Central Community Center's Recreation Supervisor, Kathy Armstrong, was awarded the 2007 Professional of the Year by the Washington State Association of Senior Centers.

 

 

 

 

The Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens and project manager Lynn Mandyke received the Shrinking Lilac Award from the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards Design Review Committee under a special acknowledgements category that noted the project “highly deserving of recognition is this recently unearthed and freshly restored piece of Spokane’s history and the people who made it happen.”

  

 

Mark Gardner, Qualchan Golf Course’s golf professional, was awarded the 2007 Pacific Northwest Professional Golfer’s Association Merchandiser of the Year Award for Public Facilities.  This prestigious award is given annually to only one person in the Pacific Northwest section which is comprised of Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Northern Idaho and Western Montana.

 

 

 

 

  

Gary Lindeblad, head professional at Indian Canyon, was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Section of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America Hall of Fame, the highest honor the Section can bestow upon one of its members.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Pacific Northwest Inlander ‘s “Best of…” Readers Poll named Manito Park the “Best Place for a Picnic” and “Best Playground” for 2007.

 

 

 

Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine awarded the following to the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department:

-      Best Place to Picnic: 1st place Manito Park, 2nd place Riverfront Park
-      Best Golf Course: 1st place Indian Canyon, 3rd place Downriver
-      Best Place for Family Fun: 2nd place Riverfront Park

Aquatics Job Opportunities

ABOUT AQUATICS

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department operates six outdoor aquatic centers offering a variety of amenities and programs designed for youth and adults. Programming includes the our Learn-to-Swim program as well as American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, Junior Guard and various other programs to help you keep cool, active and entertained during the hot summer months. Spokane Parks & Recreation also offers exclusive rentals of various Aquatic Facilities for birthdays, anniversaries, business functions and neighborhood gatherings.

Every year, the City of Spokane Parks Aquatics Program hires over 120 managers, lifeguards, aquatics aides, instructors, and coaches to help serve the citizens of Spokane. City of Spokane Lifeguards train with the Spokane Fire Department and utilize curiculum based on the Internationally Recognized American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Program. If you are interested in a position with the City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Aquatics Program, please check out the opportunities listed below.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Click below for PDF job description & Application

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2012

If you are having trouble viewing these documents, click here.

LIFEGUARD**

INSTRUCTOR I (WSI/Asst Swim Coach)**

FACILITY MGR II (Pool Manager)**

FACILITY MGR I (Asst. Pool Manager)**

CASHIER I (Aquatic Aide)

NIGHT CREW CUSTODIAL (CALL FOR APPLICATION)

INSTRUCTOR II (H2O Excercise/HeadSwim Coach)**

MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT (CALL FOR APPLICATION)

**ALL CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE CURRENT AT TIME OF HIRE AND VALID THROUGH AUGUST 2012.

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NEED CERTIFICATION?

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department offers American Red Cross Professional Certification for the following areas. For more information or to register for a course, click the "register for classes" link on the right hand side of the screen or cal 509.625.6200.

- Lifeguarding (r.2011)  SIGN UP NOW!

- CPR for the Professional Rescuer (r.2010)

- CPR for Lifeguards (r. 2010)

- Blood Bourne Pathogens

- Water Safety Instructor

Volunteer

Volunteers make our programs happen by getting out into the community.

They assist, lead and teach a variety of indoor and outdoor programs, helping to maintain more than 4100 acres dedicated to open space and recreational opportunities.

    

 

ABOUT US

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER AS A GROUP

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

 

For additional opportunities such as work study, internships and more, click here.

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VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH is ECOVA!  The day was Friday April 20th 2012 and as many people headed to work hoping for sunshine over the upcoming weekend, ECOVA began clearing the trails at Sekani. Their force was a little over 10 people but with their help trails were cleared and even rerouted.  Their skills amazed our Parks and Recreation Department.  It was hard work all day long and many pounds were shed.  As the day grew to an end and kids began to beg their parents for a family hike, the Sekani trails were ready! Thank you ECOVA for your work on our beautiful trails.  More information about Sekani can be found here and information about ECOVA can be found at http://www.ecova.com/.	FEATURED EVENT Mascot Promotion Internship 3-6 Months Part Time   The Mascot Promotion Intern will research, propose, and implement a sustainable mascot business plan which will promote the Spokane Parks and Recreation Programs. The intern will launch their program in collaboration with the Spokane Parks Media Staff, with the assistance of registered City Volunteers, and with the utilization of Parker (green bear-like mascot costume). Volunteers will dress as Parker under the direction of the Mascot Promotion Intern. The focus of the mascot’s attention should be allocated as 75% for sales and promotions of class registrations, 15% for dignitary responsibilities, and 10% for mascot character creation and social media presence.
	NOT SURE WHERE TO BEGIN?
For more information regarding volunteer opportunities, contact 509.625.6216 or clyle@spokanecity.org

 

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Aquatics Feedback

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department’s Aquatics Division is committed to providing quality swim instruction and aquatic programming to the citizens and visitors Spokane. In order to provide such service, input from citizens vital. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey about your experience with us. If you have questions or complaints, please feel free to contact us. Thank you in advance for your time.

Program Interest Survey

Swim Team Parent Survey

Private Lesson Parent Survey

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CONTACT US

Jack Busch
Program Supervisor
Phone: 509.625.6960
Email: jbusch@spokanecity.org
Park Operations Complex
2304 E. Mallon
Spokane, WA 99202

Carl Strong
Recreation Supervisor II - Aquatics/Sports/Facilities
Phone: 509.625.6960
Email: cstrong@spokanecity.org
Park Operations Complex
2304 E. Mallon
Spokane, WA 99202

Aquatics Programs

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation's Aquatics Division operates six municipal swimming facilities throughout Spokane. We offer a variety of programs designed for youth and adults including Swim Lesson programs for youth as well as American Red Cross Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor and various other programs to help you keep cool, active and entertained during the hot summer months. See below for program descriptions and to register.

Swim Lessons

Swim lessons provide instruction to help swimmers of all ages and abilities develop their swimming and water safety skills. It is designed to give students a positive learning experience. Swim lessons teach aquatic and safety skills in a logical progression. The objective is to teach people to swim and to be safe in, on and around the water.

Group Lessons

Swim lessons are $48 per child, per session.  Maximum enrollment is 6 children per class, minimum is 3 children.  Deadline for enrolling is the THURSDAY before the start of the next session.  Classes may be canceled due to inclement weather, contamination, or other unexpected circumstances.  Makeup days will be Fridays.  All efforts will be made to hold each class.   

PLEASE NOTE: The descriptions of our class offering have changed.  After each level’s new title, the previous title will also be included, followed by skills associated with each level. 

Tadpole | Parent Child | Previously Parent/Toddler | Ages 6 – 36 months

Tadpole participants become acquainted with the aquatic environment through activities surrounding climbing out of the pool, floating on front and back, and arm and leg movements.  Parents gain knowledge to safely orient their child to the water.  Child must be accompanied by an adult in the water.  

Seahorse | Beginner | Previously Pre-school | Ages 3-5

Seahorse participants become familiar with the aquatic environment through playful instruction comprised of basic swimming skills.  Students establish confidence and acquire skills such as submerging in water, supported floating, and supported arm and leg movements, which are the building blocks of a successful swimmer.   

Penguin | Intermediate Beginner | Previously Level 1 | Ages 5-8

Penguin participants learn basic aquatic skills in a supportive environment.  Students gain greater independence and learn skills including blowing bubbles, alternating leg and arm movements in a forward motion, front and back glides, opening eyes underwater, and entering and exiting the water independently. Prerequisite: demonstration of Seahorse skills.    

Turtle | Advanced Beginner | Previously Level 2 | Ages 5-9

Turtle participants gain success through instruction of fundamental aquatic skills.  Students participate in activities including holding breath underwater, rolling from front to back, treading water, jumping independently into the water, changing direction while swimming front or back crawl.  Prerequisite: demonstration of Penguin skills.    

Stingray | Intermediate | Previously Level 3 | Ages 6-10

Stingray participants build on their swimming skills through stroke development.  Students develop skills in rotary breathing, coordination of arms, legs, and breathing during front and back crawl, and headfirst entry into water.  Elementary backstroke, dolphin kick, scissor kick, and breaststroke skills are established.  Prerequisite: demonstration of Turtle skills.  

Seal | Intermediate Advanced | Previously Level 4 | Ages 7-11

Seal participants build confidence through continued refinement and advancement of aquatic skills.  Students strengthen skills such as swimming underwater, open turns and stroke improvement of front and back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and butterfly.  Prerequisite: demonstration of Stingray skills.  

Barracuda | Advanced | Previously Level 5 | Ages 8-12

Barracuda participants continue to improve stroke coordination through advanced instruction of swimming techniques.  Students learn to surface dive, flip turns, and sculling.  Further skill progression in front and back crawl, breaststroke, sidestroke, and butterfly.  Prerequisite: demonstration of Seal skills. 

Dolphin | Aquatic Exploration Camp | Ages 10-15

Dolphin participants continue with stroke refinement and gain advanced experience and knowledge in personal water safety, lifeguard readiness, fundaments of diving, fitness swimming, and aquatic facility operations.  Students will be prepared for more advanced courses such as Lifeguard Training, Water Safety Instructor, and Novice Swim Team.  Prerequisite: demonstration of Barracuda skills.

Novice Swim Team

Aquaducks | Novice Swim Team | Ages 6+

The Aquaducks program is designed to introduce youth to the enjoyment of competitive swimming.  The focus will be introduction of new stoke techniques while building endurance.  All four Olympic strokes, starts, and turns will be introduced and practiced.  The Aquaducks program is eight (8) weeks in length, Monday through Thursday, with optional swim meets throughout the summer.  Team practices are held at Comstock and Witter Aquatic Centers.  Prerequisite:  minimum 6 years old, ability to swim crawl stroke 25 yards.  

Private Lessons

Private Swim Lessons | All Ages

Need individual attention for swimming lessons?  Private lessons are offered at all six aquatic facilities.  Lessons are tailored to individual’s needs, skill level and schedule.  Instruction offered for all skill levels and ages.  Fee includes four (4) half hour (30 min.) individual instruction.  Contact Aquatics Office at 509.625.6960 to schedule. 

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American Red Cross Courses

Lifeguard Training Course | Ages 15+  SIGN UP NOW

If you are looking for the perfect summer job, this course is for you.  As a certified lifeguard you will be responsible for ensuring people’s safety in and around the water.  This course will cover CPR- PR, First Aid, and lifeguarding.  Textbooks included.  Prerequisite: minimum 15 years old; pass all pre-course tests. 

Water Safety Instructor | Ages 16+   SIGN UP NOW

Learn to teach all ages water safety, survival and swimming skills.  This course will train instructors to teach American Red Cross swimming and water safety courses and will cover all topics necessary to become a successful Water Safety Instructor.  Textbook required.  Prerequisite:  minimum 16 years old; pass all pre-course tests

 

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Water Workout

AquaFit | Ages 14+

Come experience a dynamic, fun and unique workout that rejuvenates while increasing strength and endurance!  Water properties, such as buoyancy and resistance, along with circuit and interval training provide participants of all abilities, from injury rehab to avid swimmers, a safe and challenging work out.  Walk-ins welcome.

 

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Roadmap to the Future Master Plan

The final report is composed of 4 documents: 

1. Key Considerations
2. Roadmap to the Future
3. Action Plan
4. Appendix - email parks@spokanecity.org for more information on the Appendix. It is too large to host here.

ABOUT THE CONSULTANT

The City of Spokane Parks & Recreation Department hired the organization GP RED to research and develop a master plan for the department.

GP RED is a non-profit organization developed to fully recognize and expand research, education, and resource development activities for community “quality of life” agencies.

For more information or to review any of the related documents, click the respective links on the right hand side of this page.

Aquatics Facilities

AQUATICS HOTLINE: 509.625.6960

AQUATIC CENTERS WILL OPEN JUNE 18th, 2012

Scroll down for detailed locations and amenities

 

Witter Aquatics Center will open limited hours May 14th for Pre-Season Lap Swim. Cost $4 or Pass.

 

2012 User Fees:

Aquatics Hotline: 509.625.6960

For updated Aquatic Center and Splash Pad information including closures.

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GENERAL POOL RULES

1.) Children under 10 years of age must be under direct supervision of a responsible paying adult at least 18 years of age.

2.) You must be at least 48” tall to ride the water slides.

3.) Swimsuits only allowed in the pools.  No inappropriate dress, such as cut-off jeans or t-shirts, in the pool.  No sharp or metal items on clothing down the slides.

4.) Properly fitting, Coast Guard approved life jackets only.  No outside inflatable’s such as arm bands, baby floats, etc., except during special events.

5.) All swimmers in diapers must wear swim diapers.  No regular diapers in the water at any time.  Diapers must be changed in designated change areas.

6.) The swim test must be taken in order to use the diving board.

7.) All persons must shower before entering the pool.

8.) No outside food or drink allowed inside the facility.  Food or drink purchased at the facility is allowed in designated areas.  No food or drink allowed in the pool.

9.) No glass, in any form, in the aquatic facility.

10.) No person with a communicable disease, bandages, skin infection, open wounds, or anyone who has been ill with vomiting or diarrhea within the last two weeks may use the pool.

11.) No persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs inside the pool area.  This is a smoke and alcohol free facility.

12.) No running, pushing, dunking, excessive splashing, or horseplay of any kind.

13.) Fighting, vandalism, harassment or violent behavior will not be tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal from the facility. 

14.) Staff must be obeyed at all times and have the authority to suspend pool privileges for those individuals who repeatedly violate rules or policies.

15.) During periods of inclement weather the facility may be closed, as determined by staff.

16.) The City of Spokane is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

17.) Telephone and first-aid kit are located in office.

18.) Any persons with seizure, heart, or circulatory problems should swim with a buddy.

 

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Lost & Found Items:

Lost and found items are stored at each facility and sent to charity each Friday. To claim lost or found items, please go into the facility and ask for a manager.

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	Witter Aquatic Center Located at: 1300 E. Mission (E. Mission & Upriver Dr.) Amenities: 50 Meter Competition Pool Recreation Pool Water Slide Birthday/Meeting Rooms HOURS:   Open Swim Mon-Fri Sat-Sun 1:00 - 4:00P 1:00 - 6:00P Lap Swim Mon Tue-Fri 11:30A -12:45P 10:00A -12:45P
	A.M. Cannon Aquatic Center Located at: 1900 W. Mission (Maxwell & Elm) Amenities: 6 Lane 25 Yard Lap Pool Recreation Swim Area Zero Depth Entry Play Features 2 Water Slides HOURS:     Open Swim Mon-Thu Fri-Sun 12:00 - 4:00P 12:00 - 6:00P Evening Swim Mon-Thu 5:30 - 7:00P
	Shadle Aquatic Center Located at: 2005 W. Wellesley (Wellesley & Belt) Amenities: 6 Lane 25 Yard Lap Pool Recreation Swim Area Zero Depth Entry Play Features 2 Water Slides HOURS:   Open Swim Mon-Thu Fri-Sun 12:00 - 4:00P 12:00 - 6:00P Evening Swim Mon-Thu 6:30 - 8:00P LAP SWIM Mon-Fri 9:00 - 11:50A
	Hillyard Aquatic Center Located at: 2600 E. Columbia (Columbia & Market) Amenities: 6 Lane 25 Yard Lap Pool Recreation Swim Area Zero Depth Entry Play Features 2 Water Slides HOURS:     Open Swim Mon-Thu Fri-Sun 12:00 - 4:00P 12:00 - 6:00P Evening Swim Mon-Thu 5:30 - 7:00P
	Comstock Aquatic Center Located at: 600 W. 29th (29th & Howard) Amenities: 6 Lane 25 Yard Lap Pool 4 lane 50 Meter Lap Lanes Recreation Swim Area Zero Depth Entry Play Features HOURS: Open Swim Mon-Thu Fri-Sun 12:00 - 4:00P 12:00 - 6:00P Evening Swim Mon-Thu 6:30 - 8:00P LAP SWIM Mon-Fri 6:00 - 7:30A
	Liberty Aquatic Center Located at: 1300 E. 5th Ave. (5th & Pittsburg) Amenities: 6 Lane 25 Yard Lap Pool Recreation Swim Area Zero Depth Entry Play Features 2 Water Slides Birthday/Meeting Rooms HOURS: Open Swim Mon-Thu Fri-Sun 12:00 - 4:00P 12:00 - 6:00P Evening Swim Mon-Thu 5:30 - 7:00P

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bosch Lot Development

 

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department seeks letters of interest regarding the potential lease and development of 1.12 acres of prime property located at the northeast corner of Monroe St. and Bridge Ave. in downtown Spokane, commonly referred to as the “Bosch lot.” The land is currently used as an unpaved commercial monthly/daily/hourly fee parking lot for Riverfront Park, adjacent businesses, and City-owned vehicles. At the current time it is the intent of the Park Board to judge public interest in the property and ways in which it might be utilized.

 

Letters of Intent should be received at City Hall by January 15, 2010, and addressed to:

Mr. Leroy Eadie
Director
City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department
808 W Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201

Alphabetical List of Parks

A.M. Cannon Aquatic Center
A.M. Cannon Park
Ashland C.A.
Audubon Park
Austin Ravine C.A.
Ben Burr Park
Ben Burr Trail
Byrne, Patrick S. Park
Camp Sekani C.A.
Camp Sekani Park
Campion Park
Cannon Hill Park

Carson Park
Centennial Trail
Chief Garry Park
Clark, B.A. Park
Cliff Drive
Cliff Park
Coeur d’Alene Park
Comstock Aquatic Center
Comstock Park
Corbin Art Center
Corbin Community Center
Corbin Park
Courtland Park
Cowley Park
Downriver Golf Course
Dog Park at High Bridge Gardens
Downriver Park
Driscoll Blvd.
Drumheller Springs
Dutch Jakes Park
Dwight Merkel Skate Park
Dwight Merkel Sports Complex
East Central Community Center
Edwidge Woldson Park

Elliot C.A.
Elliot Drive
Emerson Park
Esmeralda Golf Course
Fairview Park
Finch Arboretum
Fish Lake Trail
Franklin Park
Franklin Sports Complex
Friendship Park
Garfield Road
Glass Park
Glover Field Park
Grandview Park
Grant Park
Hamblen Park
Hangman Park
Harmon-Shipley Park
Hays Park
Heath Park
Herbert M. Hamblen Conservation Area
High Bridge Park
High Drive
Hill N’ Dale Rotary Park
Hill, James J. Park
Hillyard Aquatic Center
Hillyard Senior Center
Hillyard Skate Park
Indian Canyon Golf Course
Indian Canyon Park
Indian Trail Park
Kehoe Park
Latah Creek
Liberty Aquatic Center
Liberty Park
Lincoln Park
Logan Peace Park
Loma Vista Park
Loren Kondo Park
Manito Blvd.
Manito Park Information, Manito Park Map
Meadowglen
Meadowglen Park
Minnehaha Park
Mission Avenue
Mission Park
Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens
Nevada Park
North Maple Street
Northeast Youth Center
Northwest Blvd.
Pacific Park
Palisades
Park Blvd.
Parkwater Park
Peaceful Valley
Peaceful Valley Community Center
Peaceful Valley Park
Polly Judd Park
Qualchan Hills Park
Reimer
Rimrock C.A.
Riverfront Park
Riverside-Cedar
Rochester Heights Park
Rockwood Blvd.
Romine C.A.
Ruth Park
Shadle Aquatic Center
Shadle Park
Sinto Senior Center
Skeet-so-Mish Park
Sky Prairie Park
Skyview Drive
South Maple Street
South Side Senior & Community Center
Southeast Sports Complex
Sterling Heights Park
Stone Park
Summit Blvd.
The Creek at Qualchan Golf Course
Thirty Fifth Avenue
Thornton Murphy Park
Trolley Trail
Trolley Trail C.A.
Twenty First Avenue
Twenty Ninth Avenue
Underhill Park
Upriver Drive
Upriver Park
UTF Skate Park
Webster Park
Wentel Grant Park
West Central Community Center
Westgate Park
Whittier Park
Wildhorse Park
Witter Aquatic Center
Wyakin Park
Your Place Park

Contact Us

Main Park & Recreation Offices

Main Phone:  509.625.6200
Aquatics Hotline:  509.625.6960
Main Fax:  509.625.6205
Main Email:  Parks Email

 

Main Office Hours

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Main Office Address
5th Floor - City Hall
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd
Spokane, Washington 99201

 

Park Operation Offices

Phone:  509.363.5455
Fax:  509.363.5454
Email:  Parks Email

Operations Office Address
Park Operations Complex
2304 E Mallon
Spokane, Washington 99202

For a department directory, click here.

 

Stay Connected!

        

Facilities

Park Finder
Recreation Facilities
Riverfront Park
Manito Park
Gardens
Finch Arboretum
Dog Parks

Meet the Team

Updated 9/19/2011 4:30 PM

MAIN LINE: 509.625.6200

MAIN HOURS: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
AQUATICS HOTLINE: 509.625.6960
EMAIL: parks@spokanecity.org

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ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 509.625.6200 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. – 5th Floor City Hall Spokane, WA 99201
Park Operations 2304 E. Mallon Ave. Spokane, WA 99202	509.363.5455
Aquatics, Sports & Facilities 2304 E. Mallon Ave. Spokane, WA 99202	509.363.5417 HOTLINE: 509.625.6960
General Recreation 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. – 5th Floor City Hall Spokane, WA 99201	509.625.6200
Riverfront Park 507 W. Howard St. Spokane, WA 99201	509.625.6600
Golf 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd. – 5th Floor City Hall Spokane, WA 99201	509.625.4653
GOLF COURSES
Downriver Golf Course 3225 Columbia Circle Spokane, WA 99205	509.327.5269
Esmeralda Golf Course 3933 E. Courtland Spokane, WA 99217	509.487.6291
Indian Canyon 4304 W. West Dr. Spokane, WA 99224	509.747.5353
The Creek at Qualchan 301 E. Meadowlane Rd. Spokane, WA 99224	509.448.9317
RIVERFRONT PARK
Main Number Guest Services	509.625.6601
Riverfront Park Security Jeff Bailey	509.625.6609
Fun Phone Park Information Line	509.456.4FUN
Group Sales Don Largent	509.625.6746
Event Planning Dale Larsen	509.625.6624
Food Services Sam Song	509.625.6660
Employment Barbara Ackermann	509.625.6629
Website Duane Hille	509.625.6632
CENTERS & SERVICES
Corbin Art Center Director: Lynn Mandyke 507 W. 7th Ave. Spokane, WA 99203	509.625.6677
Northeast Youth Center Interim Director: Kate Zehner-Green 3004 E. Queen Ave. PO Box 6176 Spokane, WA 99217-0903	509.482.0708
Peaceful Valley Community Center Director: Mark Reilly 214 N. Cedar St. Spokane, WA 99201	509.624.8634
Project Joy Director: Robert Smick 3151 E. 27th Ave. Spokane, WA 99223	509.535.0584
Southside Senior Activity and Community Center Executive Director: Bonnie McDade 3151 E. 27th Ave. Spokane, WA 99223	509.535.0803
Hillyard Senior Center Director: Jerry Unruh 4001 N. Cook St. Spokane, WA 99207	509.482.0803
Sinto Senior Activity Center Director: Scott Niemeier 1124 W. Sinto Ave. Spokane, WA 99201	509.327.2861
Corbin Senior Activity Center Director: Christa Richardson 827 W. Cleveland Ave. Spokane, WA 99205	509.327.1584
Mid-City Concerns Director: Mollie Dalpae 1222 W. 2nd Ave. Spokane, WA 99201	509.747.3257
East Central Community Center Recreation Supervisor: Kathy Armstrong 500 S. Stone St. Spokane, WA 99202	509.625.6699
West Central Community Center Recreation Director: Rick Harris 1603 N. Belt Spokane, WA 99205	509.326.9540
MAJOR PARK AREAS
Manito Park & Gardens 4 W. 21st Ave. Spokane, WA 99203	509.363.5422
Ice Palace Located at Riverfront Park Pavilion	509.625.6609
John A. Finch Arboretum 3404 W. Woodland Blvd. Spokane, WA 99204	509.624.4832
Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens 507 W. 7th Ave. Spokane, WA 99204	509.625.6677
OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF
Cheryl Miller City Hall Offices Clerk III	509.625.6207
Jennifer Olson City Hall Offices Clerk II	509.625.6202
Kathi Young Park Operations Offices Clerk III	509.363.5455
Leesa VanZandt City Hall Offices Clerk III	509.625.6206
RECREATION PROGRAM SUPERVISORS
Mike Aho                                               Centers/Recreation Programs Recreation Supervisor II	509.625.6546
Catherine Lyle                                   Parks & Recreations Volunteer Coordinator	509.625.6216
Carl Strong                                    Field Allocations: Melissa Dierdorf Facilities/Sports/Aquatics           Facilities Maintenance: Aaron Champagne Recreation Supervisor II	509.363.5415
Jack Busch                                            For Aquatic Rentals: Kaila Barrett Marketing & Aquatics                           Program Supervisor	509.363.5416
Adriano Eva Sports/Facilities Recreation Specialist	509.625.6625
Alice Busch Therapeutic Recreation Program Supervisor	509.625.6245
Ryan Griffith Teen/Outdoor Recreation Program Supervisor	509.363.5414
ACCOUNTING STAFF
Melissa Beck Payroll/Cash Receipts Accounting Clerk	509.625.6219
LaVonne Martelle Golf Accountant I	509.625.6292
Alyce Millhorn Purchasing/Accounts Payable Accounting Clerk	509.625.6248
Kathlene Keck Contracts/Accounts Payable Accountant I	509.625.6209
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Taylor Bressler Park Planning/Project Manager	509.363.5425
Craig Butz Entertainment/Recreation Manager	509.625.6610
Jacki Faught Administrative Secretary	509.625.6203
Nancy Goodspeed Marketing/Communications	509.625.6297
Rebecca Madany Finance/Budget Manager	509.625.6544
Tony Madunich Park Operations Manager	509.363.5458
Angel Spell Urban Forester	509.363.5495
DIRECTOR OF PARKS & RECREATION
Leroy Eadie	509.625.6200

About Us

About Spokane Parks and Recreation

City of Spokane Parks and Recreation is responsible for the professional management and prudent caretaking of more than 4,100 acres of developed parks and conservation land.  The Golf Division maintains and operates four championship municipal golf courses, including Indian Canyon, Downriver, Esmeralda and the Creek at Qualchan.  Park Operations has responsibility for the maintenance of all park land and park facilities in the City of Spokane including Riverfront Park, Manito Park, Gaiser Conservatory, the many city-wide gardens, and Finch Arboretum.  Urban Forestry staff manages 50,000 street trees and another 28,000 trees on developed park land within the City of Spokane.  The Recreation/Entertainment Division offers classes, special events, athletic leagues and activities for youth, teens, adults, seniors and persons with physical and mental disabilities.  It also operates Riverfront Park attractions, activities and events, and provides support for community centers, senior centers, the Northeast Youth Center, Corbin Art Center and outdoor swimming pools.  For more information please visit www.spokaneparks.org

Golf Committee

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.

The Golf Committee meets at:
7:00 a.m. in the Manito Meeting Room
Manito Park, 4 West 21 Ave.
Spokane, Washington 99203

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*Please note: January 18th Golf Committee Meeting has been rescheduled for January 4th. Agenda & Notice

Golf Agendas

2012-01-04 Agenda & Attachments

2012-02-15 Agenda & Attachments

2012-03-14 Agenda & Attachments

2012-04-18 Agenda & Attachments

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Golf Minutes

2012-01-04 Minutes

2012-02-15 Minutes

2012-03-14 Minutes

2012-04-18 Minutes

For previous year, click here.

President’s Highlights

2011 President's Highlights

October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011

 

2010 President's Highlights

July 2010

June 2010

May 2010

April 2010

March 2010

February 2010

January 2010

 

2009 President's Highlights

December 2009

November 2009

October 2009

September 2009

August 2009

July 2009

June 2009

May 2009

April 2009

March 2009

February 2009

January 2009

Past Park Board Meetings

2011 Park Board Agendas and Meeting Minutes

October 2011

October 13 Agenda
For detailed documents on the Proposed 2012 Budget, click here.
October 13 Minutes

September 2011

September 26 - Special Meeting on Proposed 2012 Budget
September 19 - Special Meeting Notice for September 27
September 8 - Meeting Minutes
September 8 - Study Session Minutes
September 8 - Associated Documents 

August 2011

August 11 - Meeting Agenda, Minutes
August 11 - Study Session Agenda,  Notes
August 1 - Special Meeting Notice
August 1 - Special Meeting Minutes

July 2011

July 14 - Meeting Minutes
July 14 -  Study Session Notes

June 2011

June 9, Special Meeting Notice
June 30, Special Meeting Notice

May 12, 2011

Regular Meeting Minutes
Special Meeting Minutes
Special Meeting Notice

April 14, 2011

Special Study Minutes
Agenda
Special Study Session Notice

 

March 10, 2011

Meeting Minutes

Park Board

Meets the second Thursday of each month

For a list of dates for all Park Board and committee meetings, please click here.
1:30 p.m. in the Spokane City Council Chambers
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - Lower Level City Hall
Spokane, Washington 99201

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Park Board Schedules

Park Board Agendas & Minutes

Committee Agenda & Minutes

President’s Highlights

 

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To contact Park Board Members:
Administrative Office
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd - 5th Floor
Spokane, Washington 99201
Phone: 509.625.6200

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Email: Jacki Faught, Administrative Secretary

 

Board Member	Term Ends
Randy Cameron, President	2015
Jim Quigley, Vice President	2016
Ross Kelley	2013
Andy Dunau	2012
Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter, Vice President	2013
James Santorsola	2015
Dr. Samuel Selinger	2016
Susan Traver	2014
Ken Van Voorhis	2012
Chris Wright	2014
Mike Allen	Council Liaison

Trails

 

 

Volunteers Needed!

Care about trails? Love being outdoors? Volunteer to help maintain Spokane's beautiful trails!

To sign up for future work parties, contact Mike Aho at 509.625.6546 or maho@spokanecity.org

 

 

 

About Spokane's Trails:

If you like a leisurely stroll on a Sunday afternoon, a hike along the river, a trail run, a great place to walk your dog, or a challenging mountain bike ride, we have a wide variety of options for you. Our trail system is expanding and your choices are numerous as you experience our great outdoors close to home.

Beacon Hill and Camp Sekani have miles of trails for biking and hiking including the areas largest Free Ride Park and a beginner’s mountain bike skill park. Maps of the Beacon Hill recreation area trail are now complete and available for sale. The two-sided, full-color map shows trails, access points, points of interest, parks, land ownership, and community connections. One side of the map is an overview of the entire trail system. The other focuses on Camp Sekani mountain bike park. Trails are rated for mountain bike ability levels, but are open to all non-motorized users including hikers, trail runners, dog walkers, and climbers. The map is available to buy for $8 at local bike and outdoor shops, including Mountain Gear, Bike Hub, Bicycle Butler, Wheel Sport East and North Division Bike and Ski. Sales of the map are a fundraiser for the Fat Tire Trail Riders Club (FTTRC), which supports local trail building, maintenance and advocacy activities.

To find out more about the Beacon Hill area view the master plan.

The Spokane County Regional Trails Plan put together by the Inland Northwest Trails Coalition, Spokane County Building and Planning, Spokane County Parks, Golf, and Recreation is an excellent resource on the region's trail plan.

The Spokane Regional Health District, National Park Service and Inland Trail Coalition partnered to create this wonderful walking map which shows eight local hikes.

Trails can form an interconnected system that: provides transportation alternatives and reduces traffic congestion; creates new recreational opportunities; increases property values; protects natural resources; and encourages tourism and business development.

Fine Arts & Classes

 

 

 I'm looking for...

 

Dance Classes

Music & Theatre Classes

Cooking Classes

Corbin Art Center Fine Art Classes & Workshops

 

 

The Spokane Parks and Recreation’s Fine Art and Classes program offers a wide variety of activities for all ages. With us you can learn to dance, play a musical instrument, cook wonderful food and more. Discover new and exciting interest and share the experience with friends and family. It is a wonderful opportunity that leads to new and exciting hobbies, interests and passions. We pride our self on the highest quality instruction and programs. Dances classes for youth and adults include Ballroom, Creative Dance, Hip Hop, Tap, Ballet, Modern Lyric fusion, Salsa, Swing, Belly Dance, Jazz and more. Music classes include- Accordion, Guitar, Hand Drumming, Singing, Keyboarding and more.

 

To sign up for our promotions email Ryan Griffith.

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  For questions about our programs email Ryan Griffith or call 509.625.6246.

Annual Reports

The Spokane Park Board issues its annual report each year in February at its regular monthly meeting which is held the second Thursday of the month.  To view the current and previous reports, click below.

2011 Parks Annual Report
2010 Parks Annual Report
2009 Parks Annual Report
2008 Parks Annual Report
2007 Parks Annual Report

Corbin Art Center

Corbin Art Center Programs

For over fifty years the Center has been providing affordable, quality fine arts and crafts programs for children and adults. Our programs are developed to foster cognitive, creative and personal growth, and classes are small so participants receive maximum attention from the instructor.

Landscape & Garden Series

Planning to design your own landscape or interested in growing your own vegetables? The Corbin Art Center hosts a series of courses and workshops to help you design planting beds and learn about growing roses, drought tolerant plants, water-wise landscapes, and more.

 

 

Adult Fine Art Classes & Workshops

Fine art offerings include drawing, painting, creative writing, fiber, gardening and landscape, photography, and sewing. Our programs are designed to give participants the opportunity to explore a new medium, expand your creative repertoire, or experience something new.

 

Adult One & Two Day Workshops

Try your hand at something new! A variety of workshops will teach you the skills you need to make your own crafts including candles, crochet rugs, jewelry, and soaps.

For those who want to learn the fine art of cooking, baking, and international cuisine, our fine living programs can teach you to make Italian entrees, bakery goods, breads, and more.

 

Corbin Kids for Youth & Preschool

The Art Center hosts classes, workshops, and camps for ages 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 11, and 9 to 13 year olds.

Children are encouraged to try new things in an imaginative atmosphere where they can express themselves and enjoy the process of creating. Our programs include creating art, drawing, painting, mixed media, Mom & Me, and a variety of holiday-themed, and craft one-day workshops. Your children will have so much fun, they won’t want to stop!

 

Corbin Kids Party Program

Plan a party and make it unique! We make it easy and fun to plan Art Projects, Scavenger Hunts, or for your child to become a Princess, Prince, Pirate, or Pixie. There are lots of themes to choose from or you can plan your own party for your child and his or her friends to enjoy.   (Here)

 

Corbin Kids No School Today Camps

For children ages 6 - 11, our camps are held when Spokane Public Schools are not in session. Pre-registration is required. Camps are held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a supervised lunch. Please send a lunch and beverage with your child. The Art Center also hosts an Fine Arts and Crafts Summer Camp and Workshop Program for children ages 3 - 11. Programs include fine art, crafts, history, science, theater, adventure, and more. One day, hourly, and weekly camps and workshops are available. The summer program begins June 4 and runs through August 17, 2012.

 

We encourage children to explore art materials and enjoy what happens. Children will be working with paints, glue, and much more so plan to dress for a mess or bring a work shirt.

 

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ABOUT CORBIN ART CENTER

The Corbin Art Center supports the cultural arts throughout the Northwest. Originally operated by Washington State University as the Spokane Art Center from 1952 until 1963, the program became the Corbin House Arts and Crafts Center until early 1970 when it was renamed the Corbin Art Center. The Center has been offering affordable, high-quality cultural arts education in a creative environment for over fifty years.

Corbin Art Center is housed in the historic D.C. Corbin House located in the Marycliff-Cliff Park Historic District, an area rich in early-Spokane history and architecture. In the Colonial Revival architectural style, the house was designed for Daniel Chase Corbin by his former son-in-law Kirtland Cutter and completed in 1898. A significant historic landmark for its affiliation with the original owner and prominent architect, the house was placed on the Spokane Register of Historic Places in 1997 and the Washington Heritage Register and National Register of Historic Places in 2004.

Mr. Corbin was a pioneer in transportation and other successful business ventures in the Inland Northwest. He realized the need for transportation and built feeder railways to the Bunker Hill and Sullivan mines and Weyerhauser pine forests in Idaho, British Columbia’s Kootenay and Rossland copper-gold mines, and the Fernie coal mines. Corbin’s railroads were pivotal in establishing Spokane’s position as a railroad center in the Inland Northwest at the turn of the 20th Century.

Renovation projects to refurbish the building began in 1994. The projects included revealing doors, refurbishing hardwood floors, refurbishing and repairing woodwork, restoring the second floor exterior balcony, replacing and repairing electrical wiring and lighting, cleaning and repairing exterior masonry, restoring and repairing the wraparound veranda, and restoring light fixtures, the parlor, dining room, foyer, and vestibule.

The original Corbin grounds, adjacent to the home, included an elaborate basalt children’s castle-like overlook, pathways, footbridges, and a rose garden. Based on historic photographs and recovered site plans, the grounds were restored in 2003.

The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, the Comstock Foundation, the Corbin Art Center Association, the Foseen Foundation, the Johnston-Fix Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, WAMPUM, the Washington State Building for the Arts Program, the Washington State Historical Society Capital Projects Fund, and Washington Trust Bank have demonstrated a strong commitment to the building and grounds. Maintaining and enhancing the site provides for year-round cultural programs and services in the Spokane community and the Northwest region.

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Edwidge Woldson Park

Formerly Pioneer Park, the Park was renamed in 2010 to honor Edwidge Woldson for her contributions to the community. Formed in 1945 when the Spokane Park Board purchased the D.C. Corbin property to the east and the former Frank Rockwood Moore and U.S. Senator George Turner property to the west, the Park was over thirteen acres.

The purchase included the D.C. Corbin home and grounds and the untended Moore-Turner garden; the Moore-Turner home was demolished in 1940 prior to the Spokane Park Board acquisition. In the early 1960’s the northern portion of the park was altered to construct the Stevens Street extension. Now ten acres, the Park is situated in the Marycliff/Cliff Park National Register Historic District.

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Corbin Art Center Rental Program

Situated on Seventh Avenue in the Marycliff/Cliff Park National Register Historic District, the historic D.C. Corbin House is listed on the local, state, and national Historic Registers. The House and its Grounds are east of the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens in Edwidge Woldson Park.

The first floor features a vestibule, foyer, the original formal and informal parlors and dining room, an ornate staircase to the second floor, and a kitchen. The exterior features an impressive 3/4 wrap-around veranda with panoramic views of Spokane.
The Corbin Art Center is available to rent for:
• Meetings
• Receptions
• Special Events
Rentals are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. The facility is wheelchair accessible with a designated wheelchair parking area. For more information on our program and fees please contact the Corbin Art Center, 509.625.6677.

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Become a Friend of the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens

The Friends organized to support the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens and the D. C. Corbin House and Grounds. Their mission is to promote awareness, appreciation, and understanding of art and culture in their various forms; provide educational opportunities; organize activities focused on this unique site that serve to promote awareness and understanding of historic preservation and Spokane’s heritage; and conduct fundraising to support these activities and facilities. The Friends is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

For more information call 509.448.9335 or write the Friends of the Moore-Turner Heritage Gardens at P.O. Box 133, Spokane, WA 99210.

Directions to the Corbin Art Center:

Heading south on Stevens Street from downtown Spokane,
Turn right on to Seventh Avenue,
Travel one block,
Turn left at the first driveway entrance at the end of Edwidge Woldson Park.
The Corbin Art Center is located at the end of the lane to the left.