Cover photo courtesy of Jon Jonckers
By Jon Jonckers
Greater Spokane Park Challenge is in its fifth year for 2026. Participating is simple: visit as many Spokane-area parks as you want (each month has a different theme), upload your entries to an online platform (no app necessary this year), and win prizes. The challenge runs from April 1 through Labor Day, with official rules on the website. Spokane City Credit Union donates to the Spokane Parks Foundation for every challenger who registers. The more people who join, the bigger the positive impact on our parks.
This program encourages people to go outside and reconnect with parks, trails, splash pads and conservation areas around the Spokane region. It’s been compared to a giant scavenger hunt, but the challenges are more about activities instead of seeking out objects or specific locations. For example, one month might be about celebrating artwork in various parks, and another month might highlight the importance of keeping dogs on leashes. Participation is free, self-paced and flexible enough that hardcore hikers and casual stroller-pushers can coexist under the same umbrella. You don’t need expensive gear or elite fitness levels. You just need curiosity and maybe a water bottle to enter and potentially win prizes.
Most of the rules are a no-brainer. You must be at least 18. You can only submit your own photos. Submissions need to be made online and strictly within one-month windows. Find the rules and sign up at Sccu.net/parks-challenge. SCCU donates to the Spokane Parks Foundation through the challenge, a significant boost at a time when so many public spaces are struggling for funding. For 75 years, the Spokane Parks Foundation has filled the gap between what Spokane County parks need to thrive and what annual budgets can provide for over 110 parks that rely on community support. From the iconic Riverfront Park and Manito Park to smaller parks in Airway Heights, Medical Lake and Cheney, there’s a constant rolling list of events and needs. This might be the easiest and most convenient way to give back to the places we all enjoy.
