The Friends of the Centennial Trail group is applying for National Recreation Trails designation for the Spokane Centennial Trail.

The designation would bring benefits including promotion, technical assistance, networking and access to funding, a news release from the group said.

A decision regarding the designation will be announced in June.

“The trail relies on community support, grants and donations for maintenance and development,” said Kevin Hennessey, board chairman of the Friends group. “This designation … would help us continue to improve this important community resource.”

Some 1,053 trails nationwide have received the designation, with eight in Western Washington.

The Spokane Centennial Trail would be the first in Eastern Washington, the release said.

The 37-mile trail along the Spokane River receives about 2 million visits a year.