Category Overview
Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.
Project Highlights
The City of Spokane Valley will use this grant to develop Phase 2 of Balfour Park to include a destination playground and spray park in the most underserved area of our community. The City purchased 8.4 acres of property and entered into an Interlocal Agreement with Spokane County Library District (SCLD) for the construction of a new central library facility within Spokane Valley in 2012. The city adopted the Balfour Park / Library Conceptual Plan in 2013 and sold 2.8 acres to SCLD who then spent the next several years working to obtain funding for the new library. In 2021 SCLD began design work on their library and at the same time the City re-engaged the community to refresh and update the Balfour Park Master Plan. Library construction began in 2022 and was completed in 2023. The City constructed Phase 1 of Balfour Park in 2023-2024 including overall site grading, park utilities, park pathways and lighting, paved parking, public artwork, a soccer mini pitch, a new Veterans Memorial and events plaza, a central plaza, and a multi-purpose park building with restrooms, mechanical rooms and a security office. Additional master plan elements include a large playground, spray park, basketball and pickleball courts, a large group picnic shelter, additional public artwork, and an outdoor amphitheater with covered stage. Phase 2 will construct the playground and spray park for the community, which were the next highest-ranked elements during the City’s community outreach in 2022.