Don’T Squander An Opportunity

Inspired by visionaries like Aubrey White in the early 1990s, Spokane had the foresight to set aside park land for posterity. Residents willingly paid an annual tax and passed a $1 million bond in 1911 to ensure that the quality of life they enjoyed would be passed on. At one point, Spokane had more park land per capita than any other U.S. city.

On Sept. 14, we’ll find out if modern Spokane is worthy of its pioneers when it’s asked to approve a $15 million bond issue to upgrade and expand its still impressive park system. A city without vision for parks, greenbelts, sports fields and playgrounds is a city without vision.

Spokane is at a crossroads. So is Post Falls. In fact, Post Falls may be headed down the wrong road already, despite the potential offered by stretches of undeveloped land at its borders.

In the 1990s, Post Falls has shown a potential to think big when it comes to quality of life issues but a tendency to vote small. In 1998 Post Falls finally - after four election defeats and years of worsening service to students - passed a crucial $18 million bond for a new high school. In the same election, however, voters rejected a $2.89 million bond to build a high school athletic complex. And, just a few weeks ago, voters overwhelmingly rejected a controversial proposal to purchase the thriving Quad Park softball complex.

Sure, Post Falls passed a $2 million bond for a new library last year. And it has an impressive Spokane River park system. But that’s not enough. As the town continues to grow, it needs an Aubrey White to scout out and lobby for parks and recreation sites. To remind the community to plan ahead for the children’s children.

Once a town develops, it’s difficult to go back and insert open space and recreation areas. Ask Coeur d’Alene, which has done a remarkable job over the past 15 years building parks and playgrounds, despite that handicap. The Ramsey Park softball complex, built on an old landfill, is only one example of how Coeur d’Alene has made something out of nothing. Coeur d’Alene’s struggle to redevelop the public waterfront is the best example of how hard it is to rework something that’s already built.

In the 1980s, led by a succession of far-sighted mayors, Post Falls had the courage to extend sewer and water lines to broaden its boundaries. Riverbend Commerce Park, Post Falls Factory Stores and the Seltice Way commercial district wouldn’t exist without that foresight.

Also, entrepreneur Bob Templin gave the town’s core a boost by building his riverfront resort and lobbying for a complete interchange at Spokane Street.

Post Falls, like Spokane, has a choice. It can build on the accomplishments of yesterday’s leaders by planning aggressively for parks and recreation. Or it can be damned by future leaders for squandering an opportunity.