Event Will Focus On Future Of Park Riverside State Park Topic Of Four Days Of Workshops

People who care about Riverside State Park can discuss its future during four days of workshops.

But be forewarned that organizers are calling the series “A Week of Hard Work.”

The state Parks and Recreation Commission is hosting the workshops next week to gather information it will use to write a management plan for the park, said Daniel Farber, state parks planner.

Participants will discuss appropriate uses and future development, the protection of natural resources and any potential changes in boundaries. In recent years, neighbors have opposed attempts to trade land near the border of Riverside State Park for land at Mount Spokane.

About 150 people attended a workshop in March to decide what issues should be addressed in the park plan, said Farber, who called the interest “fabulous.” About a third of those people volunteered to help collect data for next week’s meetings.

The schedule includes daily tours and evening meetings. Tour locations for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be announced Monday. Farber said people who plan to attend Thursday’s meeting should attend at least one other evening meeting during the week.

Here’s what’s planned:

Monday

1-5 p.m. Tour of Little Spokane Natural Area, starting at the Painted Rocks parking lot on Rutter Parkway.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Workshop at Spokane Falls Community College, 3410 W. Fort George Wright Drive. Discussion of the park’s natural resources.

Tuesday

11 a.m. Tour.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Workshop at Spokane Falls Community College to discuss recreational uses of the park.

Wednesday

11 a.m. Tour.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Workshop at Spokane Falls Community College. Discussion of park boundaries.

Thursday

11 a.m. Tour.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Workshop at West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt. Participants will help distill information from the previous nights for use in developing a management plan.

, DataTimes