Group OKs new master plan for Bidwell Park

There will be something for just about everybody when north Spokane’s Bidwell Park is developed.

Except for maybe the child who requested a trampoline.

Sorry, kid. No can do.

Spokane County Parks Advisory Committee members approved Thursday a modified master plan for the park that includes a pool, a skate park, soccer and softball fields, a sledding hill, basketball courts, playgrounds and a natural area.

And plenty of parking – almost 200 spaces.

The natural area proposed for the park’s east end was added to the plan after some neighbors complained that the other options were too focused on organized activities.

Another option would have included an additional combination soccer and softball field.

The 19-acre park is located on Hatch Road, less than a mile north of Midway Elementary School.

The county purchased the land last fall after years of searching for an appropriate site in that area.

Parks staff solicited input for the master plan last month from elementary children in the area, their families and neighborhood residents.

“We felt like we came up with a pretty good balance of the comments of the students and the neighbors,” said landscape architect Tom Sherry.

Doing that wasn’t easy, Spokane County Parks Director Doug Chase said.

“There are folks that would rather see three ball fields. There are folks that would rather see no ball fields,” he said.

Neighbor Tina Wynecoop told the committee that she’s happy to see a natural area included in the design. “We’re trying to keep some of that for children to relate to,” she said.

It will likely take years to build the park.

“I just hope the community doesn’t have unrealistic expectations for the speed of funding for this,” said Parks Advisory Committee Chairman Ed Sharman.

The only part of the park that’s funded at this point is the $1.8 million pool.

According to Sherry, the cost to build the rest of the park is estimated at about $2 million.

The remainder will likely be built in phases as money becomes available, said Chase.

The pool and then the skate park, sledding area, playground and restrooms would be built in an initial phase.

The second phase would likely include one softball and soccer field, basketball courts, picnic shelters and more restrooms.

And the remaining softball field would be built during the final phase.

All phases would include landscaping, trees and pathways.

The master plan still has to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for final approval.