SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane voters appear ready to approve the city’s first tax increase for parks in more than a decade, with the $240 million parks levy on track to pass with 55% support.
The levy needs only a simple majority to pass and would fund improvements to every park across the city. Parks officials say residents could see the first changes as early as May of next year.
The earliest improvements would include hiring additional maintenance staff and park rangers to better care for the city’s park system. These staffing increases would address long-standing maintenance issues that have plagued Spokane parks.
Within the next two to three years, residents could expect to see smaller but noticeable improvements, such as playground renovations and upgraded restrooms, across the city’s parks. Major overhauls, including complete renovations and new parts, are planned for about six years out.
A preview of the type of improvements the levy could fund is already visible at Grant Park, where an old rundown sports court has been transformed into a new mini-soccer pitch. This was made possible through a partnership between Parks and Recreation and Hope Soccer 2026, a local nonprofit that works to promote mental health awareness through soccer.
“We realized the perfect partner in terms of the land and dealing with the community. So, we thought of Parks and Rec and presented this vision to them and they offered this land,” said Gabriel Mwamba, co-founder of Hope Soccer.
Mwamba says Hope Soccer will lease the land from Parks and Rec for the next 10 years. Programs will be free and open to the community with free equipment available for use.
“This is just a platform to draw young people, both girls and boys, from the community. We want them to come here and socialize,” Mwamba said.
Grant Park has one of Spokane Parks’ 14 sports complexes and is slated for a complete renovation under the levy. The remodel would include a new playground, parking lots and farmer’s market courtyard space.
Parks and Recreation officials say the levy would enable similar improvement projects across the city, revitalizing parks that have suffered from years of deferred maintenance due to limited funding.
“This is one of the ways to do that, right at a lower cost. So, it’s not all about big projects. It’s very much about boots on the ground,” said Nick Hamad, Spokane Parks and Rec Planning and Development Manager. “I think everybody in parks right now is is bolstered by the results, and we’re excited to get to work.”
The parks levy is part of the broader Together Spokane Initiative, which also includes a schools bond that remains too close to call at 61% approval. The schools measure needs at least 60% to pass, though the parks levy can move forward independently with simple majority support.
As of Wednesday evening, 28.8% of ballots have been returned. Official results will be certified on November 25.
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