SPOKANE — Your dog will have a new place to run and play downtown after the City of Spokane approved plans for a dog park in Riverfront Park on Thursday.
The city said it approved the dog park plans to add more amenities downtown as new housing is under construction nearby.
The park will be located just off West Broadway Avenue near the Spokane Arena and next to where the Spokane Falls Tower is being built.
Construction will require significant preparation work, including tearing down an old gazebo currently on the site. The project aims to create convenient access for downtown residents and their pets while maintaining scenic river views.
The dog park design includes new walking paths and benches along the Spokane River.
“Similar to the one you see on Riverside, when you have that type of concentration around multi-family living, condos and apartments, having these little pocket dog parks are essential to have around the city when you have that type of density,” said Garrett Jones, director of City of Spokane Parks and Recreation.
City officials say the location addresses the growing need for pet amenities in areas with high-density housing.
“You wake up in the morning and you need to rake your pup or your animal out to use the restroom and play around for a little bit and then take them back up and go to work or school. It gives us that opportunity,” Jones said.
The city has arranged a partnership with a private company to handle maintenance of the dog park. The three-year agreement will begin once construction is complete and can be renewed.
Jones said design work is still ongoing before construction can begin.
“Around the perimeter of this dog park is creating accessible pathways and seating areas that will have great views of the falls. A lot of it too is around landscape and lighting, as well as gateway improvements,” he said.
Community members have expressed support for an enclosed area to prevent pets from jumping into the river.
Spokane resident El Vargas said she hopes the city will take pet safety into account and make sure the park would have good fences to keep pets from the steep river bank.
“We push for everyone to have their own space and animals can’t talk for themselves,” she said. “They need their own space. They need a place to run their energy out along with everybody else.”
The project is separate from another dog park initiative near the Spokane Pavilion. The Spokane Humane Society is fundraising for that location, with involvement from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
