Spokane Park Board authorizes staff to apply for state grants for three park projects

The Spokane Park Board voted to authorize staff to apply for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grants for three master-plan projects: Minnehaha Park, Franklin Park (in coordination with a nearby school renovation), and the Iron Bridge River Gateway river-access project.

Staff framed the applications as a way to stretch local levy dollars and add community amenities. For Minnehaha Park, staff described a proposed ~$7.75 million park investment that includes a pump track addition estimated at $2.3 million and a separate neighborhood-park grant request; staff said they would seek roughly $1.18 million in grant funding for certain elements if awarded. Franklin Park improvement needs were discussed in the context of a larger $20.4 million school-renovation area, with staff requesting about $1.5 million in state support for field replacement and relocation work. The Iron Bridge River Gateway was described as a roughly $2.0 million project; staff said the River Forum funded initial design and permitting and that the city would seek approximately $1.5 million in grant funding while contributing a smaller out-of-pocket share if the grants are awarded.

Board members asked whether projects would be delayed or reduced if grants are not awarded. Staff said Minnehaha and Franklin would proceed in smaller scopes without the grants and that Iron Bridge would likely be deferred without outside funding. The president moved to approve the authorizing resolutions to apply for the grants; a board member seconded and the motion passed with all present responding 'aye.' Staff will return for contract approvals and design review if awards are received.

The authorization the board approved was for no-cost grant applications only; no contract or construction decisions were made at the meeting.