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Greenacres residents will soon have a park of their own as part of the city
of Spokane Valley's $3.5 million Parks and Recreation Plan for 2007.
Spokane
Valley Parks and Recreation Director Mike Jackson, meeting with the City Council
Tuesday night, presented an ambitious list of capital projects he hopes to complete
during the coming year. He said that while the Parks and Recreation Master Plan,
which was approved in April, has five major priorities, his staff has recommended
focusing on the three top capital projects on the list.
One of those
priorities is to buy land for a new park. Jackson said his department is considering
the purchase of 7.8 acres, located at Boone and Long, next to a site owned by
the Central Valley School District where a school is planned sometime in the future.
He said that he has applied for a matching grant and has budgeted $600,000 toward
the purchase of the land. He said the school would enhance the value of the property
as a park.
"The school has 16 acres on the site, so it is a very
nice joint project," Jackson said.
He added that his department
would work with the district to make the land available to both students and park
goers.
Jackson was optimistic about getting grant money for park acquisition.
He said that the governor's budget contains $70 million for the Interagency Council
to pay for projects throughout the state. He said the city's grant request has
been ranked 14 out of 69.
"We hope that we are funded, but we won't
know for sure until we see the budget," he said.
The park budget
also contains a $563,500 parkland acquisition reserve in case other properties
become available.
The park department also plans to focus on swimming
pool improvements throughout the city. Jackson said his department plans to spend
about $1.6 million for renovating and upgrading pools. The budget also contains
a $300,000 pool contingency. He said there are no specific projects for that money
but said he plans to hold public meetings to get citizen input and ideas. He added
that the park department would provide options at those meetings but would be
open to other suggestions.
The third priority will be the upgrading
of existing park facilities. He said the Mirabeau Springs overlook needs extensive
work, including the replacement of decking and railing.
"The wood
is in poor condition," Jackson said.
Another urgent project will
be to replace the shelter at Mission Park, which is in poor condition. He said
the plan calls for the construction of two shelters, which, he said, would be
close enough together for large groups, but far enough apart that two small groups
could use them simultaneously. A total of $100,000 has been budgeted for that
project.
Jackson said that the playground equipment at Mission Park
also will be replaced with two sets one for 2 to 5 year olds and the other for
five- to 12-year-olds. It also would include swing and some kind "unique
component."
The 2007 budget also includes upgrading of signage at the
parks and $12,000 for improved lighting.
Jackson said he would be bringing
each of the projects back to the council for its approval as the contracts are
prepared. Click
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By
CHARLIE PLUMB
