Two Spokane County recreation projects receive $1.5 million in grant money

Two Spokane County recreation projects received about $1.5 million from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office last week.

Statewide $12.6 million was awarded in grants for trails and waterfront parks, according to a RCO news release.

“Washington is fortunate to have a lot of spectacular outdoor places where people can hike, boat, fish and swim,” said Kaleen Cottingham, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office, which administers the grants for the board. “These grants help local communities make sure that people can recreate safely by providing trails, waterfront boardwalks and clean beaches, and that these environmentally sensitive areas are taken care of so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

$1 million was awarded to partially reimburse the purchase of 31-acres along the Spokane River. The land, which was formerly owned by the Sisters of the Holy Names, will be developed to be accessible to disabled anglers. Additionally, the new land will allow the Centennial Trail to be moved off streets among other things, according to the RCO news release.

An additional $495,000 was awarded to develop the South Gorge Trail. That grant money will be used by the city to develop two trail heads, picnic areas and a boat launch in Peaceful Valley. Additionally the money will help fund the construction of about a mile of trail along the river’s south shore, according to the news release.

Overall, Spokane-area recreation projects are slated to receive more than $5 million in state money in 2018.