Friends of the Falls

Whitewater Park: Comment Period

2009-06-09T16:25:00Z

As FOF’s work on behalf of the proposed Spokane whitewater park continues, so does progress for permitting the feature. On May 13, the City of Spokane completed its application for a Hearing Examiner Shoreline Conditional Use Permit and an Administrative Floodplain Development Permit. This triggered the customary 30-day public comment period, which began on May 27 and will close on June 26, 2009.

Members of the public may learn more, and/or comment on the proposed feature through the City at:

Planning Services Department
Attn: Tami Palmquist, City Planner
808 West Spokane Falls Boulevard
Spokane, WA 99201-3329

Tami may also be reached by phone at 509-625-6157, or via e-mail at: . Additional information is of course available here (just search through the articles under the “Whitewater Park” tab at top, or at the City’s website, linked here. A copy of the Notice of Application is linked below.

Whitewater Demo & Benefit Dinner

2009-04-23T11:44:00Z

On Tuesday, May 5, kayakers and supporters of the future gorge whitewater park will get a rare chance to see a kayak competition and meet one of the nation’s foremost experts on whitewater parks.

Both opportunities - a freestyle “Hydrotherapy Session” on the Spokane River near Liberty Lake, and an evening benefit dinner - involve a visit from Gary Lacey, an expert kayaker and designer of the Spokane whitewater park. Mr. Lacey will help judge the day’s competition, award prizes, and answer questions about Spokane’s future whitewater park.

The “Hydrotherapy Session” will begin at 6:00 pm on the river near Liberty Lake, and offer residents a taste of the action the whitewater park will soon bring to downtown Spokane. Admission is free for Friends of the Falls members; for non-members a $10 donation is suggested. The specific location for the competition will depend on river flows, so check the Hydrotherapy Session website for updates on location and logistics.

At 7:30 pm, all are invited to the benefit dinner at the Bitterroot Lodge in Liberty Lake’s River District, where Mr. Lacey will give a brief update on the Whitewater Park and award prizes for the day’s kayak events. Admission is just $25/plate, with complementary beverages. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Falls.

Dinner seating is limited. RSVP today to Steve at FOF via . Folks that join or renew their Friends of the Falls membership by April 30 will receive dinner for free!

Don’t miss the chance to see what whitewater kayaking is all about - played out on the Spokane river, with insights and conversation with one of the best in the field - on Tuesday, May 5.

FOF thanks event sponsors Greenstone Homes, Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company, and Mountain Gear.

Garry Statue Benefit

2009-04-17T13:01:00Z

Heard about the drive to fund a statue for Chief Garry? The story is tied back to one that used to grace Chief Garry Park in Spokane, but that due to age and vandalism, was removed two years ago.

A grass-roots movement to create a replacement honoring one of the Spokane Tribe’s most recognized and important leaders has been underway ever since. Recently, word arrived from a former FOF Board member that a benefit concert is planned - headlined by solo artist and Colville Tribal member Jim Boyd.

Saturday, April 25th, 7:00 pm at the Bing, tickets are just $15, with all proceeds going toward Garry’s statue. Very worthwhile.

A copy of the event poster is linked below. For more info, call 509-458-6586.

Dog Park at High Bridge?

2009-04-06T14:21:00Z

Should a “Dog Park” - a grassy and fenced area where dogs can play off-leash - be located in High Bridge Park?

For several years now, residents have wanted the City to provide such a feature, and the under-utilized land immediately west of “A” Street and south of West 2nd Avenue near Hangman Creek has become a focus for the proposal. (Google Map)

On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 7 and 8, the Parks Department will host public hearings on the concept. Both hearings will begin at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Boulevard.

Have an opinion or just want to learn more? Be sure to attend one of the two hearings and voice your thoughts or pose questions. To help explain the scope of what’s being considered, we’ve included a copy of the conceptual site plan provided by the City below.

The Gorge Master Plan calls for the development of area-specific planning for the High Bridge Park site - a very large, diverse and important component of lands acquired as part of the 1908 Olmsted plan. The plan also recognizes that something substantial needs to occupy and help activate the under-utilized public lands where the dog park is being proposed. Is this the answer? Learn more, pose questions, and voice your opinions!

“A Modest Proposal”

2009-03-17T13:51:01Z

One (of many) initiatives Friends of the Falls has been working on over the past few months concerns care and access issues along the entire stretch of the Spokane River - a proposed river-oriented “greenway district” functioning much like downtown and public facilities districts do statewide.

Efforts to fund research on such a proposal are ongoing, and Executive Director Steve Faust has been busy making presentations to numerous groups and organizations on the concept, including what State law allows and how it might be applied to the Spokane. It’s an exciting concept, and feel free to with Steve if you’d like to know more.

But first, check out Steve’s article on the idea, presented in this month’s Out There Monthly. Follow the link below to the OTM website below; we’ll add a hard-copy link to the content at the end of the month.

As Steve argues in the article, the experience of our river doesn’t end or begin at City lines. It’s a regional asset, and deserves a regional approach to access, maintenance and facilities planning. “By not addressing these challenges as a region,” Steve writes, “We’re missing a fabulous opportunity. It’s time to consider a new approach.”

The Common Good

2009-02-19T14:27:00Z

Bloomsday’s not far off - at least given the long winter, we’d like to imagine it so - but jogging along the river can be tough, what with all the ice and compact snow still covering most of the Centennial Trail.

That’s why it was such a pleasure to encounter someone removing the ice layer from a particularly steep portion of the trail the other day.

Meet Scott, a guy with a hip disability preventing him from even being able to stand (he gets around on a three-wheeled bicycle) who, in the interest of other trail users, was patiently chipping out a path between Summit Boulevard and the Sandifur Bridge. Ruby, his doberman companion, is just visible in the picture, too.

It was a great thing to see, and we hope, to share. Scott wasn’t out for thanks, but we offered ours, and hope if you see or know of others that work for the common good of Spokane, you’ll do the same.

Or even better, join in.

River Clean-Up: Success, Thanks!

2008-10-04T20:12:00Z

Dark clouds threatened, but a record number - more than 800 volunteers - turned out for this year’s Spokane River Clean-Up.

Happily, the rain stayed away - enabling folks to stay (mostly) dry while cleaning the Spokane River shoreline ranging from the Spokane River Gorge, the Iron Bridge area from Northern Lights Brewery to Avista’s headquarters on Mission, and a stretch between the Bowl & Pitcher and the downriver disc golf course. As in years past, folks from Northwest Whitewater Association (NWA) - and this year, joined by FLOW Adventures - helped clean near-shore and riverbed areas.

Did this year’s turnout and quantities of trash surpass last year’s effort? You bet! Figures released by the City show that 12,020 pounds - that’s more than six tons - of garbage was collected. On top of that, 4,101 pounds of trash is now on its way to Earthworks Recycling. So what’s the total take? Eight tons of garbage cleared from our river shorelines!

The “most interesting trash” competition was judged by local artist and garbologist Gabriel Brown, covering four categories - useful/valuable, beautiful/pretty, sad/creepy, and humorous/entertaining. The grand prize, a float for four people by NWA, went to a rusted Studebaker door hauled in by Brett, Kristen and Jasper Danielson.

Thanks to all 36 of our team leaders, on-site medics and incident commanders, steering committee, and numerous event partners. Thanks too, to our fantastic cleanup sponsors, including Wheelabrator Spokane, Waste Management, Washington Trust Bank, and Avista Utilities.

Check out the snapshots of this year’s event below - thanks and credits to Steve Dawson of the Spokane Camera Club. Plus, we’ve added links to some great media follow-up and on-line coverage of the event.

Already thinking waaaay ahead? It’s not too soon to mark your calendar for next year’s seventh annual Spokane River Clean-Up - (tentatively) set for Saturday, October 3rd, 2009!

Public Meeting: Whitewater Park

2008-07-31T13:17:00Z

As the design and permitting phase of Spokane’s proposed whitewater park continues to progress, one step involves hosting “open-house” style meetings to give folks an opportunity to see the work first-hand - and to give FOF and its design consultants feedback.

Just such an event is coming up soon: Spokane Parks, acting as lead in this case, is hosting a public meeting on the whitewater park on Thursday, August 14 at the West Central Community Center from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Per State requirements, the Department recently sent notice by mail to those who live near the project area, and has posted notice in “People’s Park” near the Sandifur Bridge.

Again, the purpose of the meeting is to receive comments and input from the community on the preliminary design of the feature, and will serve as the initial public meeting for the project’s conditional use permit application under State shoreline regulations.

Please help us out by attending this important meeting, and by letting anyone who wishes to express their support for and/or concerns about the project know about it, too!

Poster Guy

2008-05-23T02:09:00Z

It’s already one of our favorite publications (we tend to read it cover-to-cover as soon as it arrives) but the March issue of Out There Monthly has special appeal for Friends of the Falls, since it’s our Board Vice-Chair, Travis Nichols, gracing the cover!

The related article, entitled ”Year of the River,” celebrates opportunities inherent in what should be a very good flow year for the Spokane River, due to an ample snowpack in nearby mountains. It’s full of information about various stretches of the river, including little-known history, safety information for would-be boaters, club contacts, and more.

As for Travis, he’s been involved with FOF since his volunteer “work” helping kayak-escort several of our spring raft trips a few years ago. He’s an expert whitewater guy, and even helps teach newcomers to the sport. Some of Travis’ key volunteering these days involves representing FOF in the City’s ongoing Shoreline Master Program effort.

Check out the Out There article below, or better yet, pick up a copy at just about any area coffee house, grocer, or pub. We’ve included a link to a larger picture of Travis’ cover, too, but it’s mainly there to embarrass Travis a bit…

Oh, and we might add that the author of the Out There article, Paul Delaney, has also served as skipper on many of FOF’s spring floats. Great article, Paul, and great choice for the cover!

Glorious Falls!

2008-05-14T23:45:00Z

Following a long cold winter, we’ve had some fantastic spring weather recently. And because regional mountain snowpack levels were pretty healthy this year, they’re now beginning to feed what should be a great year for the Spokane River and Falls. Right now, they’re truly spectacular.

One FOF member took a few snapshots of the river last Sunday and Monday, and sent them along for everyone’s enjoyment. Captions are included, in case you’re not sure about the vantage points.

Check out the photos below, but know there’s no photographer or camera made that captures the experience of standing near the river in-person. If you go, be sure to visit the base of the Lower Falls in Huntington Park; despite appearances, this area is open to the public. Find stairway access behind the north side of City Hall.

Tribes considered the Falls to be sacred; many thousands since - if given opportunity and the proper perspective - have reached similar conclusions.

The River and Falls await. Set other things aside, watch and listen.

Update: As the river neared its peak on May 23, the Spokesman-Review’s Thomas Clouse filed an amazing, well-narrated video story - check it out at the link below!

Shoreline Master Program - Open House II

2008-05-13T03:47:00Z

For approximately two years, the City of Spokane has been working on updating its Shoreline Master Program, a critical document for our river and shoreline areas. Friends of the Falls has been involved from day one.

But a State deadline approaches, and it’s time for another City-sponsored open house to allow for community feedback on progress. It’s set for Wednesday, May 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in Mason Auditorium at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt. (GMap)

The Shoreline Master Program (SMP) was first drafted 30 years ago and addresses such issues as environmental protection and restoration of shoreline areas, economic development, shorelines uses and access to waterways. For more on the document, see the City’s project-specific website, accessible here.

Board Vice-Chair Travis Nichols reports there are some compelling issues being discussed and in need community input, including the current debate on high-rise towers versus medium-height, mixed-use development along shorelines, designations for key sites in the Gorge, and more.

Want to provide input on how the City should manage development along the shorelines of the Spokane River and Hangman (Latah) Creek? Want to review existing or proposed environmental designations for shorelines, or help shape the goals, policies, and regulations that’ll go along with those designations? Show up and voice your thoughts!

Even if you can’t make Wednesday’s meeting, be sure to check out the City’s progress at spokaneplanning.org, then email your comments to shorelines@spokanecity.org - or give project manager Jo Anne Wright a call, at 509-625-6017.

FOF Brochure

2008-05-12T22:04:00Z

Friends of the Falls recently completed an updated brochure, in part related to our recent Bloomsday trade-show booth. (Thanks to all who dropped by our display to visit, made a contribution or who’ve joined FOF in recent weeks!)

Missed us at Bloomsday? Here’s a link to a downloadable version of the flyer - including a summary of our work, the river’s history, and the Olmsted-inspired Gorge Master Plan. A membership form is included, too!

Peaceful Valley Charrette

2008-03-08T21:54:00Z

The gorge plan covers a lot - even many specifics - but some areas need area-specific planning and design consideration. The Peaceful Valley neighborhood is one such area.

So apologies to all, especially Peaceful Valley activists, for not posting more on their recent planning efforts for neighborhood shoreline areas. But since we’ve been helping organizers for some time now, and since former FOF Board member Mike Terrell is helping facilitate the process, we figure we’ll post more as things develop. And there’ll be a lot more to come, from the looks of things.

The next big step for this exciting process is a three-day design charrette, set for the evening of March 28th through Sunday, March 30. Lots happening, and a lot of details we could report here, but let’s just start by referring everyone to the neighborhood’s project-specific website, at http://www.reclaimpeacefulvalley.com

Check it out - even if you’re not a resident of PV, it’s worth a visit just to see a neighborhood as organized and fired up about improving their surroundings as this one is!

Downtown Plan, part III

2008-03-04T23:28:00Z

Major event number two scheduled this week is the next Downtown plan meeting, set for Thursday, March 6, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Academic Center Auditorium, Room 20, 600 N. Riverpoint Blvd. in the University District.

Our last post on the process was pretty positive, since the first round of work included plenty of affirmation on the importance of the river to Downtown, and seemed to fully reference and draw from the Gorge Master Plan.

But since that time, the plan’s steering committee has re-focused the Downtown plan’s scope a bit, recognizing that the overall vision and broader goals and policies of the plan are already in good shape. What’s needed, they feel, are more specifics to support the downtown vision - things like building height maximums, streetscape design requirements, and refinements to existing development code. All well and good, since many feel those type of details are necessary to address failings of the previous plan and set the stage for even more success.

So here’s a starter: regarding our riverfront areas within Downtown; regarding connecting trail networks, “green streets” and other amenities to tie the center of Spokane to shoreline parks; regarding the preservation of view-sheds from Downtown areas to and from the riverfront; regarding the opportunity to incorporate some of the project improvements envisioned in the first plan into Riverfront Park - what specifics do you think the plan should include?

Show up Thursday night and speak up!

Parks Director Review

2008-03-04T00:37:01Z

There are big goings-on this week, with at least two must-attend events happening of interest to FOF and river supporters.

One - which we’ve been tracking for quite awhile now - is a “meet and greet” session for the community to get to know each of the two candidates being considered for Spokane’s Parks & Recreation Director position. The finalists, Mr. Barry Russell of El Paso, Texas, and Mr. Roger Thomas of Provo, Utah, will be on-hand in the Chase Gallery (outside Council Chambers) from 5:30 to 7:00 the evening of Thursday, March 6. A short, formal presentation from the candidates is scheduled for 6:00 pm.

If you, like us, recognize the critical importance of parks, greenbelts and open space in civic life - especially in Spokane’s Olmsted-enriched context - you’ll really want to visit with these two gentlemen, and add your thoughts to the review process now being carried out by the Parks Board. Mayor Verner, who by charter makes the selection, says she’s hopeful to have a new director in place by April. After appointment by the Mayor, City Council must confirm the appointment. Former Spokane City Manager Roger Crum has been serving as the interim Parks Director since December.

Folks, this opportunity can’t be overestimated and shouldn’t be missed. To get you started, we’ve acquired a copy of the City-issued candidate profiles and have them available for download below. (We’ve even added links to their respective websites - just click on each candidate’s name.) Check them out, do some research, visit with the finalists on Thursday, and be sure to pass your thoughts along to Mayor Verner!