SPOKANE — Spokane Public Schools and Spokane Parks have completed construction on a new all-weather field at Shadle Park High School, marking the first of five planned fields under the voter-approved Together Spokane initiative.
The multipurpose field, which opened to the public this summer, accommodates both football and soccer. All-weather infields for baseball and softball are also under construction at the high school. The district says the fields address growing demand from students and adults seeking recreational opportunities.
The demand for recreational space is surging, according to Spokane Public Schools. The people interested in using space provided by SPS include not just high school and middle school students, but also recreational leagues and youth sports organizations. The new fields will extend playing time and lengthen seasons.
Together Spokane encompasses more than 200 projects across the city, with 16 underway so far and several more expected in coming months.
Beyond the athletic fields, the initiative is reshaping Spokane’s parks infrastructure. Projects underway include a new riverfront park parking lot, renovated bathrooms, and playground upgrades. The department’s biggest project is Meadowglen Park, the city’s first new park in 23 years, which will add more green space to a neighborhood lacking geographic park access.
Community safety concerns are also being addressed through visible park improvements and increased enforcement, according to the Parks Department. Spokane Parks said it is on track to have 16 park rangers by the end of this year, roughly double the previous staffing level.
“As we move into winter, it is really design and permitting and bidding and preparations so that in the beginning of spring next year you can see more action in your parks,” said Nick Hamad, park planning manager, on the focus for coming months.
For Spokane Public Schools, the most visible progress has been the rebuild of Adams Elementary, which began in February and is expected to wrap up by the start of the 2027-28 school year. Winter efforts will focus on planning for Madison Elementary and Franklin Park Recreation Center, with spring groundbreaking targeted for both projects and the Merkel Sports Complex expansion.
Superintendent Adam Swinyard emphasized the human impact of the improvements. “The best part is to see a kid’s reaction and to see the joy and excitement on their face and to see them out using those spaces,” he said.
Parks and schools officials credit their collaboration as key to advancing projects quickly. If you haven’t seen a Together Spokane project in your neighborhood yet, officials say you will soon. You can learn more about projects planned through this link:www.togetherspokane.org
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