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The task of overseeing the city of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department is anything but a picnic.
With a $17 million annual budget, 90 full-time employees and 4,100 acres of developed greenspace, the agency is one of the city’s most complex and costly responsibilities. From 1982 to 2007, Mike Stone worked for the department, starting out as a landscape architect and moving up to division manager, before taking over as director in 2000.
Earlier this month, Stone transitioned a few miles to the west, taking over as the Parks and Recreation director for the city of Spokane Valley. While the scope of the calling is a step down from his previous duties – Spokane Valley dedicates about $2.6 million a year to parks and has eight employees in the department – Stone said he is enthused about the opportunity to contribute to a burgeoning effort.
“I feel privileged and honored to be working with such quality people,” Stone said. “I hope to help move this department forward.”
Part of that inertia will include the construction of new parks. Legislative funding will assist in the development of two major capital facility projects in the near future including a universal park, with an emphasis on features for kids with physical and mental challenges. A site for the project has been reserved near Mirabeau Point Park and CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point.
Meanwhile, the latest legislative session included a $300,000 grant for Spokane Valley that will go toward a new 8.3-acre park in the Greenacres area.
Stone, who has already talked to residents of Greenacres about their park plan, said he will emphasize the importance of feedback from the public regarding new projects and programs.
“I think it’s critical to have that input from the citizens and to work with the community,” he said.
Stone expressed no bitterness over being unceremoniously excused from his job with the city of Spokane last December after Mary Verner took over for Dennis Hession as mayor.
“With any new administration, some changes are going to be made,” he said.
In terms of programming, Spokane Valley has taken a scaled-back approach to parks and recreation since incorporating in March 2003. Many of the sports leagues are coordinated through Spokane County or other local entities, although the city does facilitate programs like ceramics instruction and senior fitness classes. A parks and recreation master plan was approved by City Council last year, outlining goals and priorities for the department over the next 20 years.
“We’re not looking to compete with successful programs that already exist in our community,” said Spokane Valley City Manager David Mercier.
When it comes to capital facilities projects, Stone’s experience – which includes the design and construction of the Qualchan Golf Course and the development of numerous Spokane parks – is expected to be a plus for Spokane Valley, Mercier said. During his tenure with Spokane County,
“There are a lot of design/build aspects to Mike’s background,” Mercier said. “He also has strong fiscal, management and budget expertise.”
Stone will also serve as the primary administrator for CenterPlace at Mirabeau Point, Spokane Valley’s community hub that opened in September 2005 and is also home to the Spokane Valley Senior Center.
Stone earned his bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Idaho in 1976. He also has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.
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By
Craig Howard
