Gleneden Park Finally Reality

Spokane County Commissioner John Roskelley was making a speech.

Nearby, two little boys were sword fighting with sticks. Other kids were riding their bikes. Another was filling his paper cup with dirt and tossing it into the air. Nobody minded. After all, Roskelley was dedicating the Gleneden neighborhood’s long-awaited park.

“It’s going to be an awesome park,” said Matt Haubert, 8, who lives across the street. “It’s going to be fun for kids, we can walk over to this park whenever we want.”

The property was originally owned by Ruth and Omer Vrem. They sold the land to developer Jim Markley, who won approval to build 19 houses on the acreage.

After meeting with neighbors, county parks officials and commissioners, Markley agreed to sell the land at Columbus Street near Little Spokane River Drive to the county for a neighborhood park.

The county parks board looked at 37 different properties over the years, searching for a site for a Gleneden park. All fell through, many were developed for housing.

“I didn’t think this day would ever come. It is rewarding that it has finally arrived,” said Ed Sharman, chairman of the parks advisory committee.

Lori Pfursich could hardly believe it either. The Gleneden resident, who attended more meetings than she cares to remember, never let parks officials forget the neighborhood desperately needed open space and a place for children to play.

“Houses are popping up faster than dandelions in spring,” she said.

Now the neighborhood will have a hand in developing the park.

According to city and county parks departments, it costs close to $90,000 an acre to build a park. The county has about half the money it needs to build the Gleneden park. The neighborhood is determined to raise the rest.

During the dedication ceremony last Thursday, Mike Hume of Tomlinson Black’s North Side office donated $1,000 as seed money toward developing the park.

Neighbors will also play a role in designing the park.

Some neighbors favor native trees, grasses and walking paths. Others envision basketball courts. Some want climbing toys and lawn.

Someone suggested each family bring a tree to plant. A children’s imagination day will be planned to capture their visions for the play area.

The county hopes to hire a landscape architect by mid-July, with plans to start work on the first phase of the park in March. A naming ceremoney is planned for May and park dedication ceremony in September 1999.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Natalie Haubert.

“As a community, we can get together here, instead of just out in the street,” she said.