Parks are important

Parks provide more than just green grass and trees. They pull communities together. They satisfy our natural instinct to connect with nature. The arrangement of trees, grass and pedestrian spaces are fundamental to a great experience.

Whether for play, rest, exercise, inspiration, or gatherings such as celebrations or markets, we value the open space that parks provide. They are places to congregate, build community, engage with fellow neighbors and celebrate our culture, and to entertain visitors and provide a sense of pride for residents of this city. From simple neighborhood pocket parks to open pedestrian plazas, cities around the world have for centuries incorporated open spaces that serve these many purposes.

In Spokane, the typical lot size is 50 feet by 100 feet, with our neighbors only a few yards away. This diminishes the experience of open space. Parks, green or paved, serve to restore this experience. Trees in these spaces provide a sense of place and structure so that parks are dynamic and always changing.

However, as in the case of Riverfront Park, these trees are maturing and therefore need to be managed for viability and the park user experience. It is time to rejuvenate our Riverfront Park; vote yes for parks.

Ken Van Voorhis

Spokane