Make Beacon Hill Public Project

This project was developed in partnership with the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, Evergreen (East) Mountain Bike Alliance, Inland NW Land Conservancy, Avista Utilities and area land owners to permanently protect through acquisition and donated conservation easements approximately 250 acres of privately owned land that contains the core of the Beacon Hill Trail System. If completed, this project will implement the last of four "large park" recommendations identified in the 1909 Olmsted Brothers Park Plan for the City of Spokane by connecting four existing public parks (undeveloped portion of Esmeralda Golf Course, Minnehaha Park, John H. Shields Park and Camp Sekani Park) to create one larger, jointly managed regional park totaling 550 acres. This project also preserves the 46-mile Beacon Hill Trail System, one of the largest in Washington State.

Project Timeline: 
January 2020 - December 2021. 

Project Budget:
$3.3 million - Budget includes $1.5 million in RCO grants (currently being applied for), Conservation Futures funding, and various donations of cash, property interest and professional services.

Project Update (9/2/20):
The City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Department through the Conservation Futures Program closed on the Paras and Collin properties (approximately 40 acres total) on 7/30/20. These first two acquisitions preserve a majority of the upper portion of the downhill mountain bike course and connected two City-owned parcels. The Combs property is under contract (i.e. Purchase and Sale Agreement) contingent upon receiving grant funding.

City of Spokane and Spokane County parks staff are continuing through the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office (RCO) grant application process with final presentations towards the end of September. Evaluation and ranking results won't be posted by RCO until November.

Project Documents:

Proposed Acquisition Map
Conceptual (Future) Site Plan
Staff Report to Board of County Commissioners
Resolution Approving Concept (Board of County Commissioners)
Letters of Support