16 playgrounds across Spokane to receive maintenance repairs

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Several park playgrounds around Spokane will soon receive upgrades thanks to a recent grant from the state.

The City of Spokane was awarded $100,000 by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) through the office's first Local Parks Maintenance Program.

The funding will go toward repairing and improving 16 playground areas across Spokane, and will repair nearly 43 broken and damaged pieces of equipment like slides and swings.

Over the years, many Spokane parks have closed playgrounds and recreation areas due to disrepair and vandalism.

Currently, the slide at Corbin Park in North Spokane is blocked off, along with the remnants of an older slide. The structures are chained up and boarded with wooden planks.

"I know the kids are disappointed a lot of the time, especially when the slides are down and they can't use it at all," said Nate Hippauf, whose kids often play in Corbin Park.

The city hopes to secure even more funding to further improve Spokane's parks.

"We continue to seek funding sources to meet those top needs, and hope to bring a proposed investment package for voters to consider in February that would fund additional neighborhood park investments in playgrounds, restrooms, sport courts and safety," said Garrett Jones, interim City Administrator.

With summer around the corner, the upcoming repairs are a welcome plan for many families.

"It's encouraging knowing that the city cares to be able to put the money towards that and spend the money and resources on activities for kids, especially outdoors," said Hippauf.

The city said repairs are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

See a full list of the playgrounds to receive repairs below:

• A.M. Cannon
• B.A. Clark
• Corbin
• Dutch Jake’s
• Emerson
• Fairview
• Franklin
• Friendship
• Hill n’ Dale
• Kehoe
• Loma Vista
• Loren Kondo
• Minnehaha
• Mission
• Thornton Murphy
• Underhill

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