Parks & Recreation: 311 or 509.755.2489
Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:02 a.m.
NEWS RELEASE FROM SPOKANE COUNTY
Spokane County’s voter-supported Conservation Futures Program has successfully funded the acquisition of 114 acres as an addition to Palisades Park, which will be owned and managed by City of Spokane Parks & Recreation. As the number one-ranked property on the 2021 Conservation Futures acquisition list, the purchase of the Rimrock to Riverside (R2R) property expands Palisades Park from 401 acres to 515 acres, an increase of 28%, which would allow for future trail and bridge connectivity between the park with Riverside State Park.
Chair of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners, Mary Kuney, stated, “Spokane County continues to be recognized as a special haven for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. This purchase is just the most recent in a long line of Conservation Futures acquisitions that attract new residents and businesses to our region. We have so many world-class trails in our County that are just a short distance out our front doors.”
Commissioner Al French said, “The Rimrock to Riverside property provides another great expansion of public access to some of the region’s most unique outdoor recreation. This expansion will have a positive impact for Spokane County citizens for many years to come.”
The 114-acre property was purchased for $1,450,000, within appraised value. Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf is currently applying for a grant through a Washington Recreation and Wildlife Program’s (WWRP) Urban Wildlife Habitat category seeking up to 50% reimbursement to the Conservation Futures Fund. “With real estate values soaring, it’s increasingly critical that we seek outside funding as part of the funding formula for larger Conservation Futures projects like R2R,” said Paul Knowles, Planning, Development & Real Estate Manager for Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf.
The opportunity to preserve the R2R property would not have been possible without individuals stepping up with their own money to purchase several of the R2R parcels before the opportunity was lost. “A huge thank you goes out to those individuals and the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy, who helped make R2R a reality. This is how we help maintain Spokane County’s quality of life for our kids,” said Doug Chase, Director of Spokane County Parks, Recreation & Golf.
An ideal addition to Palisades Park, R2R will be managed to preserve wildlife habitat, maintain and enhance forest health and provide non-motorized recreational opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Eventually, new trails will be planned and constructed to tie the new addition into Palisades Park’s trail system.
The new property can be accessed by parking at one of the limited off-street parking spots available at 1100 North Houston Road.
The City of Choice
509.625.6200
parks@spokanecity.org
808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd # 5, Spokane, WA 99201
