Park Closer To Reality For Gleneden Residents

The Gleneden neighborhood is a step closer to having a park.

Spokane County officials have a verbal agreement with developer Jim Markley to buy five acres near Little Spokane River Drive at Columbus Street for a north county park.

There are still a few technicalities to work out, but Markley has agreed to sell the land for $150,000.

“I’m not marketing the property at this time,” said Markley.

“I’m delighted,” said Lori Pfursich. “We’ve been working on this a long time; we desperately need park land here.”

Several administrative steps need to be worked out. Markely is preparing a legal description of the land. When all is in place, the Spokane County Commissioners are expected to pass a resolution acquiring the land.

“After we take possession, we can begin holding a series of public meetings,” said Wyn Birkenthal, county parks director. “We can play with ideas for the site and the kinds of features in it.”

“I’d love to see a walking or running trail around the perimeter,” Pfursich said. “Some open space, a place to fly kites, some picnic tables.”

Paying for the park improvements will likely be the next challenge.

“We could have a park in five years; if the community pitches in it will expedite what happens,” said Birkenthal.

The property, known as the Vrem Addition, was owned for years by Omer and Ruth Vrem.

Neighbors battled Markley over plans to build homes on the property, citing a long list of concerns.

But last April the county hearing examiner granted Markley permission to build 19 homes on the property.

Shannon Carlson, who lives next to the proposed park, said she was unhappy with the planned housing project, but is thrilled with the park plan.

“It will be right in our back yard,” she said.

“We worked really hard to keep it from being rezoned as houses,” she said. “That failed. Then we heard it was possible that the county would turn it into a park.”

The neighborhood group was at the commissioners’ meeting Jan. 20, with petitions supporting a park. But before they had a chance to make their presentation, commissioner John Roskelley announced purchase of the park land was already in the works.

“It’s wonderful,” said Carlson. “We are really excited about it.”

, DataTimes