The Riverside State Park Foundation has been in existence since 2001. It continues to play an active role in support of Riverside State Park.
The purpose of the Foundation, as stated in the Bylaws, include:
- To encourage general awareness, further public interest and provide public education in an effort to promote the responsible use and protection of the Park and its cultural, recreational, historical and natural resources.
- To solicit funds and collect contributions to assist the management of Riverside State Park in enhancing its programs and services at the Park.
- To promote and maintain an active membership.
- To encourage, organize and aid volunteer services.
The Park is also supported by the Riverside State Park Advisory Board which provides advice to the Park Manager. The Foundation and Advisory Board work cooperatively in support of Riverside State Park and while they have different purposes their activities overlap.
The Foundation continues to communicate with the public through a quarterly newsletter sent out in January, April, July and October. Distribution ranges from 80 to 400 depending on the content and targeted audience. The Foundation maintains a website at www.riversidestatepark.org that identifies features of the park. The Foundation also distributes a flier that encourages membership and describes features of the Park.
Current membership in the Foundation is 58. 44 of these members have contributed cash and 14 have become members through contributing volunteer hours in the park. Sales of Park trail maps also contribute to our income. In addition, the public is provided with the opportunity to donate to special projects through a contribution envelope inserted in each newsletter.
The Fat Tire Trail Riders Club (FTTRC) and the Trail Care Crew of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) combined to build a bypass around a difficult section of trail sometimes known as Devil’s Down. The trail is approximately 890 feet long and took 120 plus hours of volunteer labor to complete.
The Foundation is seeking funding to improve the Indian Painted Rocks and the surrounding trail system. The project includes protecting, preserving and highlighting the ancient pictographs from the early Native American Settlers in our area. There will be a kiosk for historical interpretation and educational materials as well as an ADA accessible ramp and viewing platform. Future enhancement of the project will be additional trail maintenance and an elevated walkway and platform for wildlife viewing, also ADA accessible, between the Painted Rocks and the Little Spokane River.
Major projects that are on the radar include park management of the Nine Mile Resort, development of the equestrian area and enhancements to the Fisk Property.
Manager Rene’ Wiley continues to provide excellent support to the Foundation. She attends our meetings providing valuable input and keeps us informed about park activities, staffing levels and budgets.
The Foundation looks forward to another exciting and challenging year as Riverside State Park continues to support the recreational and environmental needs of the community and state.
Ken Carmichael
President, Riverside State Park Foundation
