The Spokane River Forum recently announced completion of Redband Launch on the Spokane River near downtown Spokane. Located in Peaceful Valley’s Redband Park (formerly Glover Field), the launch provides anglers, rafters and paddlers unprecedented and easy access to the Great Gorge and Spokane River. “It’s a premier addition to the Spokane River Water Trail,” says Forum executive director Andy Dunau. Four plus years in the making, the Spokane River Forum led development of this initiative with partner and funding support from the City of Spokane, Washington Department of Commerce, Spokane Conservation District, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, TransCanada, and Spokane Indians Baseball. “Their contributions combined with broad and deep stakeholder support proves great things can happen when people work together,” says Dunau.
As part of the project, the parking lot was expanded and reconfigured to support trailer access. Later this summer, an outdoor restroom will open. In the grander scheme of things, the launch also ties into City of Spokane efforts to create a loop trail through Peaceful Valley that will begin construction this summer. With the new boat launch and rehabilitation of the ballfield to support youth sports, visitor traffic to Redband Park is expected to increase. To help assure a quality visitor experience, the Forum is working with partners to install a Redband Plaza this summer. “This will serve as a trailhead and gathering place featuring a 12 foot redband trout sculpture, interpretive area, and native plantings,” adds Dunau. //
