The Mirabeau Point access improvement project has been completed, with the exception of hydro-seeding, which will take place in the spring. We are grateful for REI’s generous grant, which was instrumental in accomplishing this much-needed improvement. Carol Christensen, REI Outreach Coordinator, has expressed her appreciation for the SCKC’s commitment and partnerships with other organizations in order to secure accessibility for paddlers and to preserve the integrity of the Spokane River and its shoreline. Check out these photos of the new gravel trail from the parking area to the river.
Parking area with kiosk, posts and boulders to direct traffic
New fencing helps prevent erosion-causing short-cuts.
Upper end of gravel trail, leaving parking area
Lower end of the gravel trail, approaching the river
Barker Access: A large group of users and governing authorities met last month with David George from the Department of Ecology. The DOE is planning a recapping project to help contain toxins left from the mining era. The site is just below and upstream of the existing access at the Barker Bridge. Any potential impact to the access should be of very short duration. Thanks go to Andy Dunau of the Spokane River Forum for arranging this meeting early in the planning stage, at which a cooperative spirit was evident.
A conversation with Chris Guidotti of the Washington State Parks Department allowed me to thank him for his involvement and support of SCKC’s “Paddle, Splash and Play” event this past July. With the implementation of the Discovery Pass program just a few weeks prior to the event, Chris helped get the necessary parking permits for the participants. The Parks Department budget has seen a lot of trimming, and I doubt we will get the same opportunity this year. Chris was very pleased with the turnout and with the event as a whole, and encouraged our future use of the Nine Mile location.
State Line Access: The Spokane River Forum has been working with Riverside State Park, the Spokane Conservation District and the Washington Department of Transportation to secure a “lease” for access at State Line. The lease amount has been determined and the Forum has agreed to cover the lease cost for the first five years. The next step is for the Washington State Parks Department to agree to carry the lease and to support on-going maintenance. This request is under consideration and we should have a decision soon. Spokane Conservation District has designed the access and has funding available for construction. The Forum would like to acknowledge representatives Matt Shea and Shelly Short, also, for their support of this project.