Parks Department May Develop Skateboard Park, Sports Complex

North Side residents suffering a twinge of jealousy while driving past sprawling, manicured parks on the South Hill can take heart.

Although another Manito Park isn’t likely, the city is working on three long-term projects for the North Side: the North Pointe Sports Complex, a skateboard park in northeast Spokane and a neighborhood park for Indian Trail.

The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department is holding a meeting Wednesday to discuss the sports complex and the feasibility of the parks department managing a softball program there.

The 34-acre sports complex planned near Holland Road and Colton includes a three-acre neighborhood park.

J.C. Draggoo and Associates, Portland consultants, will present the results of their study at the meeting, including construction costs, financing and future operating costs.

Spokane Metro Softball Association was unable to complete the development, so the city may take over the project, said Paul Crutchfield, assistant parks director.

The city is considering operating the complex through a sports enterprise fund, similar to the fund used for city golf courses.

The northeast skateboard park is part of a three-phase project that begins with a skateboard park downtown, near Lewis and Clark High School. Phase two is an inline hockey park, also downtown.

The third phase is a skateboard park in the northeast area of the city. No site has been selected or money budgeted.

Parks department staff is also meeting with neighborhood group throughout the year to gather ideas for parks.

The next meeting is March 26 in Indian Trail, where the subject will be plans to develop parkland on the far north end of the neighborhood.

Some neighbors are concerned that the location, partially under high-voltage power lines, isn’t appropriate for a community park.

But Ange Taylor, Spokane parks director, lives in the neighborhood and said there’s about 14 acres of land outside the power lines for sports fields, basketball courts and picnic tables.

However, with no money, it may be years before the park becomes reality.

Taylor said a simple neighborhood park can cost $500,000 after adding the price of grading, landscaping, building basketball courts and restrooms.

Taylor said it’s a misconception that the North Side has fewer parks than the rest of the city.

Some South Hill parks are larger, but there are 13 neighborhood parks on the South Side, compared to 22 on the North Side, he said.

Large chunks of unplatted land just don’t exist.

“Where do you acquire land for another High Bridge or Manito Park?” asked Taylor.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map of area.