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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Centennial Trail group to make good use of $38K from Bike Swap

Chad Cleaver, center, checks in his children’s used bikes with the Spokane Bike Swap and Expo’s Tomås Lynch on Friday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Cleaver plans to attend the event with his children today. “We are looking for bigger bikes,” he said. (Dan Pelle)
Chad Cleaver, center, checks in his children’s used bikes with the Spokane Bike Swap and Expo’s Tomås Lynch on Friday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Cleaver plans to attend the event with his children today. “We are looking for bigger bikes,” he said. (Dan Pelle)

TRAILS -- The Friends of the Spokane River Centennial Trail plan to make good use of the record $38,000 raised by the 4th annual Spokane Bike Swap & Expo held in April. 

The swap has emerged as a prime benefactor for the maintenance and improvements to the 37 mile route along the river from Riverside State Park to the Idaho border.

Other numbers from the swap include:

  • 913 bikes consigned for sale
  • 43 bikes donated
  • 673 bikes sold
  • 3,826 attendees
  • 140 volunteers
  • 58 exhibitors
  • 32 sponsors

Here's a snapshot of what the Friends group has on its upgrade plate:

Old Mission Trailhead: This new trailhead has been added just east of Sullivan Road, next to the River House at the Trailhead Apartments at Mile 8.5. The City of Spokane Valley has plans to add infrastructure to this area.

Argonne Road Gap: Inland Empire Paper Company is meeting with State Parks and Spokane County Parks to move forward with the easement at the community pumpkin patch, to allow re-routing the Trail from Upriver Drive.

Mission Avenue Gap:Final design studies are in place with City of Spokane and and the Friends are hope funding can be made available to complete the three phases simultaneously. 

Don Kardong Bridge: This major thoroughfare for 10,000 Gonzaga University and Riverpoint campus students need of re-decking and new paint.

Riverfront Park:  Centennial Trail visibility, traffic flow and safety are the primary considerations for this renovation - and the Friends would like to see the Trail become a tourist attraction here with glow in the dark asphalt and directional signs.

Post Street Bridge: Friends will be working on the Project Advisory Committee for the upcoming Post Street Bridge renovation.

Bridge to Boone Gap: Now completed, the friends designed the Mile 25 overlook sign highlighting the history of this scenic location.   

Boone to TJ Meenach: The friends are supporting the City of Spokane as it seeks to upgrade this gap, which has numerous safety issues and shares miles with Bloomsday.    

Carlson Road: The friends are supporting the Spokane County as it seeks to upgrade this gap in Riverside State Park.

Sontag Park to Lake Spokane Extension: State Parks will begin construction in August and we the Friends have pledged $20,000 in matching funds for this project.



Outdoors blog

Rich Landers writes and photographs stories and columns for a wide range of outdoors coverage, including Outdoors feature sections on Sunday and Thursday.




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