Parks to host open house, share Riverside State Park boundary expansion recommendations

SPOKANE – After several months of conversation with the community, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission developed its preliminary land use plan for the potential boundary expansion of Riverside State Park. 

The plan includes recommendations for the long-term boundary of Riverside State Park and future land use classifications for the proposed expansion to include a 1,000-acre parcel known as “Glen Tana." The recommended land use classifications within the long-term boundary expansion of the Glen Tana property include natural, heritage and resource recreation areas. 

Natural areas are designated for preservation, restoration and interpretation of natural processes and/or features of significant ecological, geological or paleontological value. Natural areas also provide opportunity for low-intensity outdoor recreation, such as nature observation, photography, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, environmental and cultural education. 

Heritage areas are designated for preservation, restoration and interpretation of unique or unusual archaeological, historical, scientific and/or cultural features. It is also the classification used for traditional cultural properties, which are of statewide or national significance. Within the Glen Tana property, this classification is recommended for property owned and managed by the Spokane Tribe of Indians. 

Resource recreation areas provide opportunities for low-and-medium intensity recreational experiences including picnicking, photography, nature observation, recreational trail experiences, interpretive facilities, historic and cultural exhibits natural and/or cultural resource-based medium-intensity and low intensity outdoor recreation use. Parks recommends this land use classification for the property at the intersection of N. Dorset Road and W. Rutter Parkway. 

Parks will make an official designation for the property by late fall of 2024. 

Community open house  

State Parks invites the community to an open house to learn more. There will be posters and maps to view the preliminary land use recommendations. 

What: Riverside Expansion Open House 

When: July 23; Drop by anytime between 5-7 p.m. 

Where: The Hive - a Spokane Public Library 

2904 E. Sprague Ave. 

Spokane, WA 99202 

The public can also participate in the planning process by providing feedback by submitting comments here. For more information and for updates about the project, please visit the Riverside State Park Expansion Opportunity webpage.   

Background 

In partnership with Inland Northwest Land Conservancy (The Conservancy) and the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Parks is pursuing an opportunity to acquire “Glen Tana” for the environmental stewardship of riparian and upland habitat, expanded recreational access in a high-demand and near urban location and support of salmon reintroduction efforts. 

The Glen Tana property was purchased by the Conservancy in August to protect the land and river from development in perpetuity. The Conservancy will serve as an interim owner while the Spokane Tribe of Indians and State Parks secure the funding to acquire portions of the land that they will own and manage. 

To open the opportunity to acquire this parcel in the future, Parks must first complete a Classification and Management Plan (CAMP). CAMP is a multi-staged public planning process that identifies issues and opportunities, explores alternative approaches and makes recommendations for park land classifications. The CAMP process does not include the acquisition of the parcel. Instead, it determines a long-term park boundary and identifies lands that further the recreation and conservation mission of a park.