Recreation revision

A park near Walmart, a 70-acre regional sports complex and a wheelchair-accessible van.

These are just a few of the projects the Airway Heights Parks and Recreation Department is considering as it prepares to update its master plan. The department had a public workshop April 9, to discuss some of the proposed improvements, as well as take suggestions from the public.

"As the city's population increases, the facilities and parks must be updated and funds must be set aside to pay for these improvements," Airway Heights Parks Advisory Board President Jacob Powers said.

Since the department's last update in 2009, the city has completed several projects, including Sunset Crossing, Traditions Park and the first phase and part of the second phase of Aspen Grove Park. One of its more recent projects, the splash pad, which the city completed with help of the Rotary Club of Spokane West, will have a grand opening in May.

For the 2015 master plan, the department launched a public awareness campaign, sending out a recreation needs and assessment survey. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director J.C. Kennedy said the department received 228 responses, 81 short of its goal of 309.

According to Kennedy, 90 percent of residents agreed that Parks and Recreation programs contribute to the quality of life in the city and 85 percent believe the parks are safe.

"We've had some parents voice their concerns with what happens at the skate park and they asked for better police patrol in that area," Kennedy said.

According to the survey, 72 percent of residents rated the community center as a higher priority than other projects. He added that many residents are concerned with the cost of building a new community center.

"They want to know 'how it will it affect my pocket book?'" Kennedy said.

One of the projects that will end up on the master plan is a park in the Sekani Development.

Back in January, the City Council approved the purchase of 2.06 acres of land from Vandervert Development Inc. for $100,000 to develop a city park. The land is located off 12th Avenue, adjacent to Walmart.

"One of our most important goals is to have a park within walking distance of every home," Kennedy said.

Another project proposed for the master plan is the 70-acre regional sports complex. Back in 2010, Airway Heights entered into an agreement with Spokane County to acquire a 70-acre parcel adjacent to Spokane County Raceway that was purchased in 2008 from a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee, to be developed as a regional sports complex - a project the county said had "regional benefit." Earlier this year, Spokane County published a list of proposed improvement projects and conducted a series of open houses to gain public feedback for future decisions.

According to the county, the survey received several comments from residents suggesting the addition of the sports complex to the projects list. Kennedy hopes the county will take the comments and the sports complex under consideration.

Other projects suggested for the master plan update include reconstruction of Martella Field and replacing the playground equipment at Sunset Park.

"We haven't been able to replace the equipment because the parts are so old, they don't make them anymore," Kennedy said. "When a part goes bad, we isolate that piece of equipment and remove it. Over the years the playground has been disappearing."

The department will have a second public workshop for the master plan, May 7.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].