SPOKANE, Wash. — Local organizations are supporting a proposed ordinance making its way through Spokane City Council that would allow portions of public parks to be designated as private.
The measure, which sparked intense debate during a recent Urban Experience Committee meeting, comes in response to concerns that changing immigration policies and the current political climate have left many in Spokane’s immigrant community feeling unsafe in public spaces.
“Right now, we are in an environment where it is really difficult for certain members of our community to feel comfortable being in spaces we generally think of as open to all,” said Sam Smith, an immigration attorney with Manzanita House, an organization that supports Spokane’s immigrant and refugee communities.
The proposal would allow certain park areas to be designated as private, limiting access to federal immigration officers unless they have a warrant.
Supporters view this as a necessary step to ensure all community members can enjoy Spokane’s parks without fear.
Kathryn Garras with Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane believes the ordinance would provide much-needed security for vulnerable families.
“It’s about supporting the dignity and the rights of our community members, and if we really are a city of belonging, this is one small step forward to back that kind of sentiment,” Garras said.
Despite support, the ordinance is facing significant legal hurdles.
Spokane Parks expressed concerns in a statement to KXLY, saying the measure “would place Park Board and Park Directors in the impossible position of ‘approving or denying’ federal immigration officials access to non-public areas of park land.”
Despite these challenges, advocates like Smith maintain that the ordinance has a straightforward purpose.
“It’s wanting to make sure that we do have set guidelines for a space that would otherwise be considered fully public,” Smith explained.
The ordinance is scheduled for its first reading on May 26 and would still require approval from the Spokane Park Board before becoming city code.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
