City Acquires Acreage Along Latah Creek

The city of Spokane last week announced the acquisition of a 24-acre piece of conservation land along Latah Creek just north of Hatch Road at U.S. Highway 195.

The new Campion Park is considered a choice piece of upland habitat. The city plans to maintain it in its native condition for wildlife and passive recreation.

Money to purchase the land came from the state Department of Natural Resources and its aquatic lands enhancement account.

The cost of the property was $127,000. The DNR has used the fund to buy other aquatic lands. The money comes from leases the DNR holds for marinas and port facilities, as well as a geoduck clam harvesting program in Puget Sound.

City officials said they hope to connect Campion Park with the city’s other riverbank holdings via a trail spur.

“The Latah Creek site adds one more riverfront, one more public benefit, to the list of Spokane’s diverse public waterfront destinations,” said Spokane Parks Director Ange Taylor.

Since 1984, when the aquatic lands fund was established, the state has spent more than $17 million for 160 local projects.

The city of Medical Lake is going to benefit from the fund. Medical Lake is planning to install voice-activated interpretive signs along the loop trail at Waterfront Park.

, DataTimes