Riverside State Park is an important recreational, cultural, historical and environmental asset of the Spokane area. It is truly a jewel worthy of protection. Fortunately we have an excellent staff that recognizes the many and varied attributes of the park, but they can not do everything. That is where we as interested citizens come in.

The State Park system depends heavily on volunteers to contribute time to preserve and enhance our parks. In 2001 we formed the Riverside State Park Advisory Board and the Riverside State Park Foundation. These two organizations work with each other and the park staff to further the goals of the park.

The Advisory Board consists of up to 15 interested citizens whose objectives are to provide advice to the Park Manager on any proposed park land classifications, new uses, programs, and facilities, or modification or elimination of uses, programs, and facilities.

The purposes of the Foundation include soliciting funds and collecting contributions to assist the management of Riverside State Park in enhancing its programs and services at the Park. It also includes encouraging general awareness, furthering public interest and providing public education in an effort to promote the responsible use and protection of the Park.

As stated above, these organizations include a collection of interested citizens. We encourage everyone who has an interest in Riverside State Park to participate. Elections for the Advisory Board are held bi-annually and will be conducted at the January 2009 meeting. Membership in the Foundation is open to everyone. The Foundation Board of Directors consists of the same individuals that are on the Advisory Board. Typically we meet at the Park headquarters at 7:00 PM on the third Monday of each month, subject to change due to conflicting schedules.

What are the qualifications for membership on the Advisory Board and Board of Directors of the Foundation? It is really quite simple. The qualifications are a true interest in the Park and the commitment to contribute your talent as a Riverside State Park stake holder.

Riverside State Park is the second largest park in the system and is the most diverse in the opportunities that it provides. It is truly worthy of our efforts to preserve and enhance. Participation on the committees is rewarding, productive and fun. If you are interested in participating on the Advisory Board and Foundation please contact Ken Carmichael at 466-2225.

Trail Restoration Project
By Suzanne Rivers, project coordinator

"Things move slowly when working with the State Park Service." This is the warning I was given 13 months ago when I started working on getting a trail restoration project started, and, sure enough, not much has been accomplished toward getting this program moving.

However, there is some very good news: we have received a grant for $20,000 from the Walmart State Giving program. As I wrote in a previous newsletter, our budget goal is $32,000. We had thought we were getting a grant from REI but that turned out not be the case. We do have another grant request pending with Avista that may give us the full budget we need to start.

We have identified 12 major sites for restoration and, as stated in my earlier report, most of that work will require trained/experienced trail crews due to the complexity or danger of the work required. As a result, much of our budget will go to hiring DNR trail crews. The plan for the Bowl and Pitcher area is a good example of 2 major sites. Right after crossing the swinging bridge, park users encounter a steep, rocky and sandy trail that is the only option for reaching all the other trails in the B&P area. We will be putting in stairs there which will make access for everyone much safer and easier. Just beyond that piece of trail going north, you arrive at the first major uphill section to the left. The first section is moderately steep but the section immediately after it is very steep and eroded with gravel that slips under feet and tires. There too we are planning to build wide stairs since there is no other way to reroute or stabilize the trail.

We will use volunteers to do some of the easier jobs such as obliterating poorly designed trails that will be rerouted, planting native plants and doing more straight forward trail maintenance and repair. This will be done with crews of 10-12 volunteers and one organizing person who has trail work experience. We plan to use kids from girl-and boyscout troops, churches and schools; they will mostly do the planting. Other adult volunteers will be recruited from churches and groups who often offer their services to the Park and these are the people who will do trail obliteration, repair and improvement. Look for ’’Help Wanted’’ adds in this newsletter in the future.

What we are waiting for now is State Parks to send over some experts to look at and refine the plans and issue the nesessary permits. We are hopeful that work can begin in the Spring.