Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail Land Classification and Easement
Project summary
Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf
State Parks is seeking input on a proposal to amend an easement and update the land classifications of a portion of the property associated with the Spokane River Centennial Trail adjacent to the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane County.
City of Spokane Valley
State Parks is seeking input on a proposal to grant an easement and update the land classifications of a portion of the property associated with the Spokane River Centennial Trail near N Flora Road in the City of Spokane Valley.
- Location: Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
- Estimated start date: Fall 2024
- Estimated end date: Winter 2025
Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf - Plante's Ferry Sports Complex
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider an update to the land classifications at Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail at its meeting on Jan. 30, 2025. The Commission will also consider granting an easement to the City of Spokane Valley.
The City of Spokane Valley owns property near where North Flora Road approaches the Spokane River from the north. They plan to develop a community park on their property. Their proposed development would include a cross-country course, and in order to complete that development, the City has requested an easement on adjacent State Parks property associated with the Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail. The City’s property is not large enough on its own to develop a cross-country course to its desired length and level of quality. The Centennial Trail is not within the requested easement area; it is on the other side of the river.
Additionally, the State Parks property is currently classified as a Resource Recreation Area, which allows for low-to-medium intensity recreational activities and facilities. The proposed change in the type and intensity of use would not be allowed in a Resource Recreation Area. For this reason, the Commission will also consider changing the land classification in the easement area from Resource Recreation Area to Recreation Area. The Recreation Area classification allows for higher intensity uses like those in the sports complex.
City of Spokane Valley - Flora Road
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will consider an update to the land classifications at Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail at its meeting on Jan, 2025. The Commission will also consider approving an amendment to an easement held by Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf at the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex.
The County currently has an easement on State Parks property associated with the Centennial Trail in this area. The Centennial Trail does not go through the property but is on the other side of the river. The current easement allows the State Parks property to be used as overflow parking for Plante’s Ferry. The County is going through a master planning process for Plante’s Ferry and would like to use the State Parks property as an alternate entrance into the sports complex. This change in use would require an amendment to their easement.
Additionally, the State Parks property is currently classified as a Resource Recreation Area, which allows for low-to-medium intensity recreational activities and facilities. The proposed change in the type and intensity of use would not be allowed in a Resource Recreation Area. For this reason, the Commission will also consider changing the land classification in the easement area from Resource Recreation Area to Recreation Area. The Recreation Area classification allows for higher intensity uses like those in the sports complex.
Community participation
State Parks is seeking public input on this proposal. Your input will be shared with the Commission for their consideration in the decision-making.
Written public comment will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 24, 2025. You can use the online public comment form or mail: WSPRC, Attn: Becki Ellison, PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504
You are also welcome to attend the Commission Meeting on Jan. 30, 2025, held at the Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Dr SE, Lacey, WA 98503. You can attend in person or virtually. If you would like to provide in-person comment, please sign up at the meeting. The Chair will call you to the front at the appropriate time in the order you signed in.
Pre-registration for virtual comments is required. To register for virtual comment, email commission@parks.wa.gov no later than 5 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 24. Provide the name you will log in under and a contact phone number.
The Agenda Item and instructions for watching/listening online will be posted at http://bit.ly/ParksAgendas.
Project history
The nearly 40-mile-long Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail is one of five long-distance state park trails in Washington, and it showcases the diverse and scenic terrain of eastern Washington. Following the Spokane River from Nine Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane to the Idaho border, the trail passes through high desert Ponderosa pine forests, basalt canyons, hip urban centers, and cultural heritage sites. Hardy hikers, cyclists, inline skaters, and other foot-powered travelers will find a delightful, insightful adventure on this rural-urban trail.