Trees, sidewalks added to Liberty Lake’s Town Square Park

This summer, crews have been busy at what will be Town Square Park in Liberty Lake.

A two-acre parcel of a 6.4-acre piece of land owned by the city now has restrooms, 12-foot-wide sidewalks, parking and trees. City Administrator Katy Allen said the city is planning a dedication of the park on Oct. 4.

She said there will be more discussion in the future about what to do with the rest of the land.

“It’s just a great central location in our downtown area,” Allen said.

Included in construction is an arch on Meadowwood Lane across from City Hall. There was debate in the city council about whether to include this in the project – council member Odin Langford requested the project be removed from funding during the May council meeting. He wanted to approve the park and street parking, but not the arch. That motion failed.

When the council voted to fund the entire project, Langford’s was the only no vote.

The project is estimated to cost about $750,000, which comes from the real estate excise tax. Allen said these funds come to the city when property is bought or sold and can only be used for capital projects. She said Liberty Lake has seen a lot of growth in the past two years.

Spokane Transit Authority has contributed about $80,000 to the project. The park and ride lot is next to Town Square Park.

The park, 1420 N. Meadowwood Lane, is the latest addition to the area where the Liberty Lake Farmers Market has been since 2002. The Cork House Restaurant recently opened next door, the Valley Chamber of Commerce is there, as is Greenstone Homes.

Allen said the city plans to start out small with the park, hoping crowds will spill out into the park from the farmers market. They are working on getting some shade there and in the future public Wi-Fi connections.

Bacon Concrete Inc. was awarded the contract for construction in May.