Spokane River’s Fate In Our Hands

In 1934, a group of citizens acquired 1,000 acres of land below Downriver Golf Course, including the Bowl and Pitcher rock formation. The state bought up even more land adjacent to the Spokane River and that’s why 8,000 beautiful acres remain preserved to this day.

Drive to the Bowl and Pitcher in Riverside State Park, walk to the suspension bridge and peer down (if heights don’t frighten you). Watch the river race its course; it’s breathless at this site. Walk around the park and you’ll see children on their bikes, families strolling, dating couples walking and talking. Peace rules here, 10 minutes from downtown Spokane.

For decades, Inland Northwest residents have been able to enjoy the beauty and peace of the Spokane River because a group of citizens dreamed a vision and acted upon it. Now, one family will add to the vision.

Bob and Lola McLellan owned 400 acres along the Spokane River, downstream from Riverside State Park. Spokane County Commissioner Phil Harris calls the area “where God stopped when he was satisfied.” An apt description. The river here eases its way along, no hurry. Trees grow tall. You can see mountains and hills in the distance. This is a place for your soul to think.

Earlier this year, the McLellans resisted offers to divide the land for development. Instead, the land was optioned for sale to the Trust for Public Lands. County commissioners approved taking over the option and will purchase the land for $1.1 million. The money comes from the county’s conservation futures program.

Wyn Birkenthal, who administers the conservation program, said the goal is to keep the McLellan land in its natural state. He pointed out that the places where residents can enjoy public waterfront is diminishing. This purchase will guarantee that the Spokane River does not become cut off from citizens.

Upstream of the McLellan property, however, a challenge awaits. Dr. Hrair Garabedian has purchased 2.5 acres of prime river land just below Downriver Golf Course. A nursing home used to be there until it burned. The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department hoped to buy the land, but couldn’t find the money.

Garabedian has not revealed how he plans to develop the property but promises it will be “first class.” We hope, as he plans, he remembers the visionaries who, in the 1930s, acquired the land surrounding the land he now owns. We hope his first-class plans add to the rich inheritance those visionaries left to the future.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rebecca Nappi/For the editorial board